Fifteenth Anniversary of the University Department of Sociology

On Thursday, October 22, 2026, our University marked the 15th anniversary of the University Department of Sociology with a Holy Mass in the University Chapel, the presentation of departmental awards, and an interdisciplinary round table in the Great Hall of CUC.
 

The Holy Mass was presided over by Rev. Domagoj Matošević, Moderator of the Archbishop's Spiritual Table and Bursar of the Archdiocese of Zagreb, concelebrating with Rector Prof. Željko Tanjić, PhD; Assoc. Prof. Richard Pavlić, PhD, from the Faculty of Engineering; and Prof. Tonči Matulić, PhD, from the Catholic Faculty of Theology, University of Zagreb.
 

The celebration continued in the Great Hall of CUC, attended by Vedrana Šimundža Nikolić, State Secretary at the Ministry of Justice, Public Administration, and Digital Transformation; Julije Domac, PhD, Special Advisor to the President of the Republic of Croatia for Energy and Climate; Katarina Milković, MSc, Director of the Education and Teacher Training Agency; Assoc. Prof. Lidija Tepeš Golubić, PhD, Dean of the Zagreb University of Applied Sciences; Brigadier Goran Huljev, Dean of the "Dr. Franjo Tuđman" Croatian Military Academy; Major General Asst. Prof. Slaven Zdilar, PhD; Asst. Prof. Dan Đaković, PhD, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy and Religious Sciences, University of Zagreb; Assoc. Prof. Denis Barić, PhD, Head of the Institute of Religious Sciences; deans and vice-deans of faculties; heads of CUC University Departments; professors and adjunct lecturers of the University Department of Sociology; as well as a large number of students, alumni, friends of the Department, and colleagues from other academic and research institutions.
 

On behalf of the Catholic University of Croatia, CUC Rector Prof. Željko Tanjić, PhD, welcomed and congratulated the attendees: "This jubilee is an opportunity to reflect on the path we have traveled, on the achievements that fill us with pride, but also on the vision with which we boldly step into the future. Our University Department of Sociology has grown into a recognized and strong stronghold of academic excellence, as confirmed by the stellar results with which we enter this academic year. We proudly highlight the enduring interest in sociology studies and the fact that the enrollment quota for the university undergraduate sociology study program has once again been fully filled this academic year. On this celebratory day, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all longstanding partners and collaborators who contributed to the founding, development, and affirmation of sociology studies at the University. Dear students and professors, thank you for living the mission of our University every day through your work, knowledge, and enthusiasm. Happy Day of the University Department of Sociology! I wish you great success in your future work, research, and studies," concluded Tanjić.
 

The Head of the Department, Assoc. Prof. Ivana Brstilo Lovrić, PhD, greeted all attendees and presented the department's activities from the past academic year. She showcased a particularly rich and diverse range of departmental initiatives—from numerous conferences, congresses, round tables, summer schools, Blended Intensive Programmes (BIP), and Erasmus+ exchanges, to collaborative work between students and faculty in research, professional practice, and university promotion.

As part of the program, student awards were presented in three categories: highest academic achievement, best master's thesis, and exceptional extracurricular engagement. The Award for Highest Academic Achievement in the previous academic year was conferred upon Lucija Šašković for the first year of undergraduate studies (weighted GPA 4.393), Tasha Zarnik for the second year of undergraduate studies (weighted GPA 4.931), Stjepan Kota for the third year of undergraduate studies (weighted GPA 4.927), Marija Đurić for the first year of graduate studies (weighted GPA 5.000), and Antonio Trepp for the second year of graduate studies (weighted GPA 4.925).

The Award for Best Master's Thesis was awarded this year to two students: Beata Patljak for the thesis "Artificial Intelligence and the Labor Market in Croatia: Student and Employer Attitudes Toward Adapting to New Technologies," written under the mentorship of Assoc. Prof. Petra Palić, PhD; and Tara Obardović for the thesis "The Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities into the Croatian Labor Market," written under the mentorship of Asst. Prof. Miriam Mary Brgles, PhD.

The Award for Exceptional Extracurricular Engagement was presented to student Ante Glasnović, who distinguished himself through his participation in the Erasmus+ BIP program, the BlendED2026 program, mentoring Erasmus students, volunteering, and promoting CUC. Special recognition was also awarded to longtime professor Davorin Babić, who taught Physical and Health Education to numerous generations of CUC students; Marijana Šnur, Director of the research agency Hendal; and Višnja Štimac, Coordinator of professional internships for sociology students.

The program continued with an interdisciplinary round table titled "Artificial Intelligence, the Future of Humanity, and Society," discussing how artificial intelligence is transforming individuals and society, the opportunities and boundaries brought by its development, and how human dignity, freedom, and the common good can be preserved in an era of accelerated technological change. The round table was held in the light of Pope Leo XIV's encyclical Magnifica humanitas, featuring panel participants Prof. Tonči Matulić, PhD; Prof. Gordan Črpić, PhD; Assoc. Prof. Mihaela Vranić, PhD; and Petar Šarić, mag. soc. et phil. The panel was moderated by Anamaria Malešević, PhD.

As part of the Department Day celebration, the exhibition "Faces of the City: A Sociological Reading of Public Space" was officially opened, presenting students' sociological interpretations of selected Zagreb squares, open-air markets, parks, and streets. Starting from the concept of "reading the city," the exhibition portrays public space as a dynamic social text shaped by the everyday practices of its users, raising questions about the various ways space is utilized, its meanings, and the relationship between space and place. The student projects were developed during fieldwork for the Urban Sociology course, under the guidance of Prof. Anka Mišetić, PhD, and Nika Đuho Vulin, PhD. The exhibition is open for viewing on the first floor of Building B on weekdays during University opening hours.

The musical program for the ceremony was performed by Teaching Assistant Lovro Knežević and sociology student Klara Pavković, with the overall program moderated by student Petra Kašnar.