PM at the Day of University of Zagreb: Investment in science and education is investment in the future of Croatia

The University of Zagreb on Friday marked its day and the start of the 349th academic year at this oldest university in Croatia.

Addressing the ceremony, Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said that the University of Zagreb had a significant impact on processes shaping the Croatian state, legal system and society.

Modern societies are based on human resources and the aim of this government is to support development that will enable young people to create intellectual capital and provide them with clear values and identity.

Speaking about his government's commitment to modernising the science and education systems, Plenkovic promised that Croatia would increase allocations for that purpose.

Allocations for science and education to be set aside in the 2018 state budget will rise by 2.5%, and Plenkovic admitted that this was not sufficient, however, it indicated orientation towards investment in science.

The premier also spoke about a planned increase in scholarships, notably those intended for indigent students and those studying STEM.

He called on the University of Zagreb to be a promoter of excellence and innovativeness, whereas Science and Education Minister Blazenka Divjak praised the University of Zagreb as a pivotal institution for the educational, economic and cultural development of Croatia.

Rector Damir Boras said that in terms of the number of enrolled students, this institution was among the top 15 universities in Europe.

Also, researchers and professors at this university were the authors of 57% of all Croatian scientific articles published in scientific journals abroad in 2016.

The University of Zagreb, with over 8,000 people on its payroll, is one of the biggest employers in Croatia, according to Boras.

The University of Zagreb ranked 450th in the Shanghai Ranking of Universities and occupied 457th place in the Scimago Institutions Ranking, he added.

Text: Hina

News | Plenkovic Andrej