The discussion on amendments and additions to the Law on Higher Education and Scientific Activity was the focus of the 7th regular session of the Assembly of Polytechnics of the Republic of Croatia, held on March 9 at EFFECTUS University of Applied Sciences.

The session brought together a large number of deans, vice-deans, and secretaries of polytechnics from across Croatia, as well as representatives of trade unions, students, and the relevant ministry, confirming the importance of open dialogue on key issues concerning the development of professional higher education.

In addition to the discussion on legislative amendments, the session also included a decision to dismiss the current president and appoint a new president of the Field Committee for Social Sciences and the Field Committee for the Interdisciplinary Area.

The host of the session was the Dean of EFFECTUS University of Applied Sciences, PhD Jelena Uzelac, who emphasized the importance of jointly reflecting on the development of professional higher education:

“Universities of applied sciences play a key role in connecting education with the needs of the economy and the labour market. That is precisely why discussions such as this are extremely important – they allow us, through dialogue between the academic community, students, and decision-makers, to jointly shape a high-quality and sustainable development of the professional higher education system in Croatia.”

Participants also discussed the appointment of members of a working group tasked with drafting proposals for amendments and additions to the National Polytechnic Criteria, as well as the Proposal for a List of Standardized Professional Titles and Their Abbreviations.

The session was marked by constructive discussion focused on the further improvement of the professional higher education system and strengthening the role of polytechnics in the development of the economy and society.