Croatia hosted the second International Scientific Conference 4 Healthy Academic Society in Poreč.
From 30 May to 1 June 2024, the picturesque town of Poreč, Croatia, hosted the 2nd International Scientific Conference 4 Healthy Academic Society, organised by the Croatian Academic Sports Federation and the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts in collaboration with partners from various sectors. The conference aimed to promote a healthy lifestyle, focusing on sports and health-oriented physical activities as essential components of quality living within the academic community.
The conference featured a wide array of themes, including innovations in sports technology, sports injuries, dual careers, psychological and sociological aspects of student sports, and sustainable sports programs. Over the three days, 41 comprehensive papers were presented, showcasing cutting-edge research and practical applications in the field.
Notable speakers included Vlasta Brozičević, an expert in physical medicine, rehabilitation, and rheumatology, associate professor Alessandro Bortolotti, and cardiologist Viktor Peršić. The conference provided valuable insights and fostered discussions on current issues related to students and sports.
A highlight of the event was the presentation by Fernando Parente from FISU as keynote speaker. In his talk titled “Facing Gaps and Working Together for Better University Sports,” Fernando Parente discussed how universities can better engage campus communities through the Healthy Campus Programme, promoting active lifestyles and enhanced well-being. He also emphasized the importance of collaboration with National University Federations to achieve these goals.
The leadership of the Croatian Academic Sports Federation held an executive board meeting in Poreč and numerous working meetings with partners and stakeholders. A round table titled “Sports at Public Higher Education Institutions, Yes or No?” was also held.
Conclusions emphasized full support for implementing existing decisions related to academic sports, with special emphasis on the Regulation on Studying for Student-Athletes at Higher Education Institutions in the Republic of Croatia and aligning Croatian higher education institutions with the Regulation. The importance of finding mechanisms to systematically enable additional investment in sports infrastructure at higher education institutions and funding academic sports was also highlighted.
Many important representatives
In addition to representatives of the Croatian Academic Sports Federation, participants included Josip Pavić, State Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Jasenka Ostojić, Vice-Rector of the University of Zagreb, Boris Maleš, Vice-Rector of the University of Split, Vice-Rector of Josip Juraj Strossmayer University in Osijek, Marin Milković, Rector of the University North, Drago Šubarić, Marijana Pećarević, Vice-Rector of the University of Dubrovnik, Željko Sudarić, Dean of Lavoslav Ružička Polytechnic in Vukovar, Ivan Štedul, Dean of the Polytechnic in Karlovac, Mile Marinčić, Dean of Ivanić-Grad Polytechnic, and IgorKlopotan, Dean of Međimurje Polytechnic in Čakovec
Exciting Sports Competitions
Concurrent with the conference, Poreč also hosted the largest ever finals of the national student sports competitions, the UniSport Finals. Over 1,300 students from nineteen Croatian universities and polytechnics participated. The event featured twelve sports across eight venues, including futsal, basketball, volleyball, handball, soccer, tennis, table tennis, badminton, beach volleyball, 3×3 basketball, chess, and e-sports.
Reflecting on the event, Toni Gamulin, the first vice president of the Croatian Academic Sports Federation, expressed satisfaction with the unprecedented participation numbers. He also highlighted the significance of securing the hosting rights for the European University Games in Split in 2028, aiming to elevate Croatian academic sports on both national and international stages.
The University of Zagreb excelled, winning 22 out of 26 disciplines and a total of 25 medals. Other gold medal winners included the handball team from the Technical Polytechnic in Zagreb, the tennis players from Josip Juraj Strossmayer University in Osijek, the chess players from the University of Rijeka, and the futsal team from the University of Split. The UniSport Futsal League culminated with spectacular semifinal and final matches, with the University of Split claiming the title after a decade-long wait, defeating Edward Bernays University of Applied Sciences 2:1.