President Milanović at the Opening of International Science Symposium in Rijeka: Status seekers devalue top-level science
The President of the Republic Zoran Milanović participated today in the opening of the 1st International CROSCIENCE 2024 Symposium, held at the Faculty of Civil Engineering at the University of Rijeka. The scientific symposium brought together prominent scientists from Croatia as well as Croatian scientists from abroad, and it was held under the patronage of President Milanović, who called CROSCIENCE an excellent project and expressed hope that it would become a tradition.
In his address to the participants of the symposium, President Milanović spoke about the importance of excellence in scientific work. “Anyone who thinks that everyone should or can become a doctor of science, or that everyone should be a physician or a judge, is mistaken. However, it is not merely a delusion but a conscious effort by a certain category of people – whom I call status seekers or status fighters – to devalue top-level science,” said President Milanović, adding that none of the scientists present achieved their status by chance or through connections. “No one has succeeded without first investing in themselves from an early age, in synergy with their parents,” he said.
The President also spoke about Croatian universities and their quality, stating that they need further development. “We need to understand that there are limits to our capacities and that we cannot have twenty medical faculties, but rather four or five. Otherwise, the quality is devalued and diminished,” said President Milanović, adding that everyone should know where and how they can make the greatest contribution to society.
Furthermore, noting that the decision on whether someone wants to pursue education is typically made on time, usually in early youth, President Milanović also addressed the issue of importing foreign labour into Croatia. He pointed out that Croatia has suddenly begun importing foreign workers in very large numbers. “That’s a lot. Who are these people? What jobs do they perform? Are they here in the general interest of Croatia’s economy and GDP growth, or is it in the interest of a group of employers who, by any means, are reducing labour costs and indirectly lowering wages in Croatia? Why shouldn’t our sons or daughters be doing these jobs?” These were some of the questions raised by President Milanović, who concluded that we will need to reconsider wage levels.
The CROSCIENCE 2024 Symposium is held under the high patronage of the President of the Republic of Croatia Zoran Milanović and the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth, and is organized by the University’s International Scientific Council. The Council is composed of scientists who, drawing on the experience and practices of reputable scientific institutions, contribute to the development of the University through their advice and activities. With this year’s 1st International CROSCIENCE 2024 Symposium, the organizers aim to establish a new tradition of annual gatherings of prominent Croatian scientists, fostering cooperation between the academic community in Croatia and the diaspora.
After the opening, where, in addition to President Milanović, speeches were given by the Rector of the University of Rijeka, Prof. Dr. Snježana Prijić-Samaržija, the Mayor of Rijeka, Marko Filipović, Deputy Primorje-Gorski Kotar County Prefect, Vojko Braut, and the Director of the Directorate for Science and Technology of the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth, Dr. Hrvoje Meštrić, who also served as the Prime Minister’s delegate, the working part of the conference began. The two-day conference will feature a series of panels aimed at stimulating discussion on key issues facing the scientific community.
Jadranka Žarković, the President’s Adviser for Education, accompanied President Milanović at the event.
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Marko Beljan