Secretary General of the UNICA Network, Prof. Luciano Saso, visited HKS

On Thursday, March 25, 2026, our University was visited by the Secretary General of the UNICA network, Prof. Luciano Saso. During the working visit, a meeting was held with the Rector, Prof. Željko Tanjić, PhD. Also in attendance were Vice-Rector for International Cooperation Prof. Jasna Ćurković Nimac, PhD; Vice-Rector for Science Prof. Roberto Antolović, PhD; Dr. phil. Branka Roščić, Secretary General of the University; Dean of the Faculty of Law Associate Professor Kristian Turkalj, PhD; Head of the University Department of Sociology Associate Professor Ivana Brstilo Lovrić, PhD; Head of the University Department of Communication Studies Prof. Danijel Labaš, PhD; Head of the University Department of History Associate Professor Mario Kevo, PhD; and Prof. Marta Čivljak, MD, PhD, Editor-in-Chief of the scientific journal “Unicath Journal of Biomedicine and Bioethics” from the Faculty of Health Studies.

After formal presentations of the University by Rector Tanjić and of the international university network UNICA by Secretary General Prof. Saso, discussions focused on opportunities for the Catholic University of Croatia to engage in various forms of cooperation, with particular emphasis on developing strategic international partnerships.

Special attention was given to the potential collaboration between the FUCE network (of which HKS is a member) and the UNICA network, as well as the participation of our researchers in expert groups, particularly in the fields of digitalization, artificial intelligence and digital literacy, biomedicine, and library exchanges and related initiatives.

The possibility of strengthening cooperation through alumni networks was also highlighted, with the aim of connecting former students in international projects, knowledge exchange, and the development of professional networks.

The UNICA Secretary General encouraged the use of their publications and projects available HERE, opening opportunities for involvement even for universities that are not members of the UNICA network.

UNICA is an institutional network of universities from European capital cities, bringing together 52 universities from 32 European capitals. The network connects universities with the aim of fostering knowledge exchange, improving the quality of higher education, and developing joint research, while enabling the sharing of experiences and innovations through international cooperation and adapting to contemporary academic challenges.

The network is headquartered in Brussels, which gives it an important role in strengthening the international visibility of universities and creating new opportunities for students and academic staff. This new connection between the Catholic University of Croatia and the UNICA network represents an important strategic interest and a significant opportunity for stronger international positioning of HKS. More information about the network is available HERE.