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Fifth Anniversary of the Faculty of Medicine Celebrated

On Monday, 29 September 2025, the Catholic University of Croatia solemnly celebrated the fifth anniversary of its Faculty of Medicine. The celebration began with a Holy Mass presided over by Rev. Branimir Šarić, a postgraduate student of Biblical Sciences at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome, concelebrated by the Rector of the Catholic University of Croatia, Prof. Željko Tanjić, Ph.D., Assist. Prof. Odilon Singbo, Ph.D., from the University Chair of Theology, and University Chaplain Rev. Branimir Jagodić.

The program continued in the University’s Great Hall with a formal academic ceremony, which opened with a prayer led by University Chaplain Rev. Branimir Jagodić. Among the attendees were State Secretary Prof. Nikola Mrvac, Ph.D., representing the Minister and the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth; State Secretary Assist. Prof. Marija Bubaš, Ph.D., representing the Minister and the Ministry of Health; Deans of the Faculties of Medicine and Dentistry of the University of Zagreb, the Acting Dean of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Split, hospital directors from Zagreb and other Croatian cities, Sister Jelena Ikić, Superior General of the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul, the heavenly patron of the Faculty of Medicine, as well as numerous faculty members and external associates.

Rector Prof. Željko Tanjić, Ph.D., welcomed the attendees and addressed a special greeting to the first-year students of the Faculty of Medicine, thanking them for their trust in choosing the CUC study program in Medicine. He congratulated and expressed gratitude to the Dean, Vice-Deans, faculty members, collaborators, students, and partners for their contribution to the Faculty’s work over the past five years, stressing the responsibility ahead in guiding the first generation of medical students to graduation and MD titles.

On behalf of the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth, State Secretary Prof. Nikola Mrvac, Ph.D., highlighted the importance of ideas in the history of medicine, underlining that healing is not only about curing the body but caring for the whole human being.

Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Prof. Dalibor Karlović, Ph.D., thanked the Faculty Council, faculty members, and the University’s leadership for their support, expressing pride in the students who have chosen to dedicate their lives to medicine and service to humanity.

Vice-Dean Assoc. Prof. Vjekoslav Peitl, Ph.D., presented the Faculty’s activity report, after which Mia Franceković, member of the Lado Ensemble, performed a traditional Međimurje folk song.

The ceremony continued with the presentation of the Dean’s Awards and student recognitions, moderated by Vice-Dean for Teaching and Students, Assist. Prof. Elvira Lazić Mosler, Ph.D.

The Dean’s Awards for best academic achievement in 2024/2025 were presented to:

  • Nejla Bektić, 1st year student (weighted GPA 4.683)

  • Andrea Dropuljić, 2nd year student (weighted GPA 4.717)

  • Lucija Čulo, 3rd year student (weighted GPA 4.783)

  • Mihovil Lakoš, 4th year student (weighted GPA 4.883)

The St. Vincent de Paul Award for socially beneficial work in the academic and wider community was given to a group of fourth-year students: Jana Buzuk, Bianka Dujić, Paola Gabrić, Marija Gagić, Marko Paun, Leona Periši, Šimun Petar Praljak, Lucij Radić, Ante Bruno Znaor, and Ante Tomkić. The students presented independent papers at the 4th Symposium on Diabetes, Cardiology, Nutrition and Endo-Oncology in Zagreb, significantly contributing to the promotion of biomedical sciences, the medical profession, and the visibility of the Faculty of Medicine of the Catholic University of Croatia. Mihovil Lakoš spoke on behalf of the awardees.
 


Dean’s recognitions were also awarded to faculty members, moderated by Vice-Dean for Quality, Assoc. Prof. Marija Ćurlin, Ph.D. Recognitions for best-rated teachers (based on student surveys for the academic year 2024/2025) were given to:

  • Assoc. Prof. Zvonimir Koporc, Ph.D. (1st year)

  • Assist. Prof. Vedran Hostić, Ph.D. (2nd year)

  • Assist. Prof. Ines Šiško Markoš, Ph.D. (3rd year)

  • Prof. Alemka Markotić, Ph.D. (4th year)

In addition, a recognition was awarded to Assist. Prof. Marina Raguž, Ph.D. for a scientific article published in Nature Communications (impact factor 15.7) in the academic year 2023/2024.

Prof. Alemka Markotić, Ph.D., expressed gratitude on behalf of the award-winning faculty members. The event was moderated by psychologist Rej Kovačević, M.A.