Meeting of the Rector with HKS staff

The meeting began with an opening prayer led by the University Chaplain, Rev. Branimir Jagodić, followed by introductory remarks from the Rector. In the first part of the program, Rev. Ilija Dogan, PhD, delivered a lecture entitled “Nomads with God in the Desert of Everyday Life,” explaining that we are all, in fact, nomads on a journey -walking each day through its ups and downs toward our final destination: an encounter with God.

Assistant Professor at the University Department of Psychology, Lana Batinić, spoke about the “Uniservitate Program and Service-Learning.” She emphasized that the key goal of the program is to create systemic change by institutionalizing learning through service to the community as a means of fulfilling its mission of providing holistic education to new generations, while actively engaging them in the social challenges of our time. She also presented the program’s work plan at the Catholic University of Croatia.

The final presentation in the first part of the meeting was given by Assistant Professor Josip Ježovita from the University Department of Sociology. He presented the results of the research “Motives for Student Enrollment at the Catholic University of Croatia,” highlighting the reasons why high school graduates choose our University. He also presented the results of a survey conducted among 83% of first-year enrolled students. Employees actively joined the discussion on the topic, and Assistant Professor Ježovita was supported in answering questions by Prof. Roko Mišetić, PhD, Vice-Rector for Teaching.

The second part of the meeting was opened by the Vice-Rector for Quality, Identity, and Mission, Prof. Ante Crnčević, PhD, with a presentation entitled “Echoes of the Jubilee Year: New Perspectives for Catholic Universities.” He spoke about the significance of the Jubilee Year in the contemporary academic and ecclesial context, highlighting the challenges and opportunities it brings to Catholic universities in their educational and societal role.

Toward the very end of the meeting, Rector Tanjić thanked Prof. Stjepan Kušar, PhD, for his dedicated work at the University Department of Sociology and introduced the new Secretary of the Catholic University of Croatia, Branka Roščić, PhD. He concluded with closing remarks conveying a clear message about the continued development and well-being of the University, and the meeting ended with a prayer.