In a formal ceremony held on Saturday, the Faculty of Law, University of Zagreb celebrated the graduation of 537 students, including Master of Laws graduates as well as graduates in social work and public administration from the 2023/2024 academic year. The event took place at the SEECEL Regional Centre for the Development of Entrepreneurial Competencies for Southeast Europe. On this occasion, the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof. Ivan Koprić, emphasised the Faculty’s commitment to development and modernisation, and to continuing its tradition of quality through daily improvements in teaching and study programmes.
“Our key priorities in this period are the construction of a new library and reading room, the continued rapid internationalisation of the Faculty, the completion of the comprehensive renovation of all Faculty buildings, and the modernisation of our study programmes. This includes enhancing them with practical content, clinical approaches, mentorship, and other forms of connecting academia with practice. Achieving these goals is essential for creating an excellent, modern, and socially responsible Faculty — the largest and oldest law school in this part of Europe, and the only higher education institution that has operated continuously for 248 years,” Dean Koprić said.
In addition to numerous scientific conferences, forums, workshops, and ongoing projects, the Dean pointed out the launching of 11 new research projects during the 2023/2024 academic year. These include two projects funded under the JUST and Erasmus+ programmes and one within the COST programme. A twelfth project under the HORIZON programme has also been contracted and will begin during this academic year.
“Last year, alongside the Legal Clinic, we launched the Administrative Compass and the Centre for Social Support and Innovation, which focus on practical education, providing assistance to individuals and organisations, case-based learning, and socially engaged research,” Dean Koprić said. He encouraged graduates to immediately join the Faculty’s Alumni community, mentor younger colleagues through a newly launched platform, and participate in teaching as lecturers and collaborators.
“Continue your education with us at the postgraduate level and through lifelong learning programmes, which are constantly being updated to include modern and relevant topics, ranging from the legal regulation of artificial intelligence to personal data protection,” Dean Koprić urged. He emphasised that former students of the Faculty of Law are “the driving force behind societal development and solutions to key social issues, a safeguard against threats to human rights, the rule of law, and democratic constitutional order, as well as a refuge for people whose rights and legal interests are jeopardized and who need support during these challenging times of ongoing, multifaceted crises affecting our country and the world.”
The Dean also addressed issues related to the organisation of classes and post-earthquake reconstruction. He noted that the complete renovation of the building at Trg Republike Hrvatske 3 has been completed, work has begun on the buildings at Ćirilometodska 4 and Nazorova 51, but the Faculty has no effective way to influence the reconstruction of its headquarters at Trg Republike Hrvatske 14. The comprehensive renovation of this building is managed by the University of Zagreb, and work is not expected to start for several more months. He expressed gratitude to the students for their understanding and support.
During the ceremony, the Dean awarded 31 special diplomas, including cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude diplomas. Alongside regular and special diplomas, each graduate received a medal from the Faculty of Law as a symbol of their connection to the academic community.
Photo by Foto IPIK
