Representatives of the Catholic University of Croatia at Francisco de Vitoria University in Madrid within the Erasmus+ Programme

From 17 to 21 November 2025, Prof. Roberto Antolović, Vice-Rector for Research, and Anamarija Čulo Bačarka, mag. iur., Head of the Office for International Cooperation and Mobility Programmes, visited Francisco de Vitoria University in Madrid as part of the Erasmus+ mobility programme. During their stay, they met with Alberto López Rosado, Vice-Rector for Research, with whom they discussed possibilities for expanding cooperation. Particular emphasis was placed on the field of integral ecology, which Francisco de Vitoria University strongly promotes as part of its institutional identity inspired by the teachings of Pope Francis and the encyclical Laudato si’. In this context, opportunities for future collaboration and involvement in initiatives focused on climate justice, sustainable development, and the promotion of social responsibility were explored.

A series of working meetings and discussions was held. With Maite Iglesias Badiola, Dean of the Faculty of Experimental Sciences, they discussed various cooperation opportunities, such as mobility for student internships, collaboration between academic and teaching staff, and joint research and applications for European Union project funding within a joint consortium. Interest was also expressed in joining the editorial board of the UNICATH Journal of Biomedicine and Bioethics, as well as participating in the peer-review process and contributing original scientific papers by their researchers to the journal.

A meeting was also held with Sonia Sánchez, Vice-Dean for International Cooperation of the Faculty of Communication. The discussion focused on opportunities for student internships, potential involvement in Horizon Europe funding programmes, cooperation at the doctoral level in the field of history, and the development of collaboration in video game studies and engineering. Additionally, possibilities for participation in BIP programmes were considered, along with a proposal for contributing an article to Kompas, for which they expressed readiness depending on the thematic focus.

With Nuno Pereira de Magalhães, Vice-Dean for International Cooperation of the Faculty of Law, Business, and Governance, discussions centred on establishing institutional relations between the two law faculties, developing and encouraging the mobility of students and academic staff within the Erasmus+ programme, and exploring the possibility of including the Faculty of Law, Business, and Governance as a partner in HKS’s KA220 project proposal “Climate Law, Climate Justice & Integral Ecology.”

Further discussions took place with Alma Vázquez Esteban, Head of the International Relations Office, regarding examples of good practice, including the ACE²-EU Alliance project, as well as the exchange of experiences related to international operations and internationalisation. Meetings were also held with the Office’s administrative staff to strengthen coordination and support for international activities.

During the visit to Francisco de Vitoria University, Vice-Rector Antolović delivered official invitation letters to the University’s Management for the FUCE General Assembly, which our University will host in May 2026.

All meetings, discussions on cooperation, exchanges of experience, and examples of good practice collectively represent an important step in strengthening international academic ties and fostering long-term collaboration between the two universities.