Ceremonial promotion of Master's degrees graduates

In the Aula Magna of the Catholic University of Croatia, on Saturday, November 23, 2024, a ceremonial promotion of 157 university masters in history, sociology, psychology, communication sciences and nursing was held.

The graduation ceremony was attended by the graduates and their families, as well as the rector of the Catholic University of Croatia, prof. Željko Tanjić, PhD, vice rector for teaching, prof. Roko Mišetić, PhD, vice-rector for organization and business, prof. Gordan Črpić, PhD, vice-rector for international cooperation, prof. Jasna Ćurković Nimac, PhD, and vice-rector for quality, identity and mission prof. Ante Crnčević, PhD.

On behalf of the Grand Chancellor of the Catholic University of Croatia, Msgr. Dražen Kutleša, Archbishop and Metropolitan of Zagreb, promotion was attended by the Rev. Marko Kovač, episcopal vicar for the lay faithful in the Zagreb Archdiocese and moderator of the Archbishop's Spiritual Table, who conveyed the congratulations of the Grand Chancellor and congratulated the masters on their success in his own name.

Graduates were also supported by Heads of their Departments, Assoc. prof. Mario Kevo, PhD, Head of the University Department of History, Assist. prof. Dragan Glavaš, Head of the University Department of Psychology, Assist. prof. Ivana Brstilo Lovrić, PhD, Head of the University Department of Sociology, Assist. prof. Ivica Matić, PhD, Head of the University Department of Nursing and prof. Danijel Labaš, PhD, Head of the University Department of Communication sciences.

The academic ceremony began with a joint prayer led by the university chaplain, Rev. Branimir Jagodić.

The rector, in his speech, congratulated the master's students on their success: "I am proud to stand before you today because I know how much effort you put into the diploma that will be presented to you! I also congratulate those who are the best among you and who will be awarded with the rector's awards of appreciation today. Thank you for your excellence as well as the excellence of many among you, the excellence with which you testify not only to your own gifts and abilities but also enrich our University and make it excellent. You would not be able to grow in knowledge and good without your professors and the entire university community, to whom I also congratulate and thank for everything done, as well as all those who worked with a lot of love and dedication to organize this celebration. Special thanks to the Heads of your Departments! You experienced the first truth about life and the first and lasting bonds of kindness in your families. That is why I greet you with a joyful heart and congratulate you, dear parents, spouses and families of our celebrants. Without you, your love and common care and sacrifice, our graduates would not be here today. The truth and goodness that they knew in their families, some already in their workplaces, we tried to refine, inflame and strengthen even more in the time of the pandemic and the earthquakes that strongly marked your studies, deprived you of the beauty of togetherness and being at the University, but also in the end, you brought out the best in you, showed maturity, responsibility and solidarity. Thank you for that".

At the end of his speech, Rector Tanjić told the graduates: "Truth, knowledge and kindness. This is what I would like you to take away from our University, soon to be your Alma Mater. Knowledge without education of the heart for good, truth and love, without education for the common good turns into its own perversion, as many conflicts in today's world testify to. In the rankings of the best universities in the world, there are more and more of those that do not respect almost any of the postulates that are the basis of "artes liberales" and modern universities, as well as more and more universities where "political correctness" and "cancellation culture" are more important "from searching for the truth about man and society.  Universities, in the strong spirit of competition and focus on excellence in the scientific field, which is also our first priority, forgot about this educational dimension. It is very important for shaping the third mission of universities, besides science and teaching, which is their social responsibility. For those of us who work at universities, it constantly arises as a question about education for the common good and responsibility for the world entrusted to us, and in the world especially for those who are, as Pope Francis strongly emphasizes, "on the peripheries of society". And that is why we need a new "educational alliance" that Pope Francis is calling for. Today, in times of crisis and wars, more than ever. Be a part of that "covenant of education", rejoice in life and bravely, responsibly and joyfully step forward to meet the future that is coming your way and that calls you to shape it. Live that life in our dear homeland Croatia, which needs you and which has no future without you".

The University oath was read by Eleonora Bartulović from the University Department of Psychology on behalf of the graduatesfrom the University Department of History, the University Department of Communication sciences and the University Department of Psychology, and on behalf of the graduates from the University Department of Sociology and the University Department of Nursing Izidor Munjih from the University Department of sociology, asking the Rector on his behalf, and on the behalf of his own colleagues to present them their diplomas.

During the ceremonial academic act, Rector's certificates of appreciation for academic excellence during graduate university studies were awarded to Magdalena Magdić, Josip Jurić-Šolto, Katarina Užarević, Branka Potnar, Kristina Marović and Mia Vaclavek.

The academic act was embellished with harmonious singing by the folklore ensemble Ivan Goran Kovačić, who in folk costumes sang the national song "Good day, good people" along with the anthems of the Republic of Croatia and Gaudeamus Igitur.

The formal promotion of the master's degree was moderated by communication studies student Antonio Bebek.