The French Ambassador visited the Catholic University of Croatia

On Thursday, 15 January, the Catholic University of Croatia hosted a meeting entitled French–Croatian Cooperation in the Context of Europe and Higher Education, dedicated to strengthening French-Croatian cooperation in the fields of higher education, science and culture. The event brought together members of the academic community, representatives of the diplomatic corps, and interested students of the Catholic University of Croatia.

The meeting with the French Ambassador was also conceived as an opportunity for direct dialogue with French students studying at the University within the Erasmus+ programme, enabling them to meet a representative of their home country, exchange experiences of studying abroad, and discuss the role of international academic cooperation in the European context.

At the beginning of the event, the participants were welcomed by the Vice-Rector for International Cooperation, Prof. Jasna Ćurković Nimac, PhD, who emphasized the importance of international partnerships and academic mobility as key elements in the development of a modern university. She particularly highlighted the value of cooperation with French institutions within the context of the European Higher Education Area.

The keynote address was delivered by H.E. Mr Fabien Fieschi, Ambassador of the French Republic to the Republic of Croatia, who spoke about French-Croatian cooperation within the European framework and its role in strengthening higher education. In his address, he highlighted the importance of bilateral and multilateral initiatives, student and research mobility, and joint projects that contribute to the development of academic excellence and European values.

The Director of the French Institute in Croatia, Jeanne de Wendel, presented the work and activities of the Institute, with particular emphasis on promoting the French language and culture and supporting educational and scientific cooperation between France and Croatia. She highlighted numerous programmes and initiatives carried out by the Institute in cooperation with Croatian higher education institutions.

Jasna Bas, Attaché for University and Scientific Cooperation at the Embassy of France, spoke about opportunities for academic mobility and funding for studies in France. In her presentation, she introduced French government scholarships and familiarized students with the available programmes and application requirements.

The meeting was further enriched by a personal academic reflection from Prof. Ines Sabotič, PhD, of the University Department of History, who shared her experience of studying and living in France, reflecting on the differences and similarities in the educational systems and cultural practices of the two countries.

The programme concluded with the screening of a video produced by fourth-year students of Communication Studies, Journalism and Intercultural Communication track, on the topic of perceptions of France and cultural differences. The video was created as part of the course Ethics of Intercultural Communication under the mentorship of Prof. Jasna Ćurković Nimac, PhD, and was met with an exceptionally positive response from those present.

The meeting once again confirmed the importance of continuous cooperation between Croatian and French institutions in the field of higher education and opened new opportunities for further strengthening international academic partnerships.