The University of Dubrovnik welcomes the new academic year with 315 freshmen, the highest number of newly enrolled students since 2018. Compared to 2024, enrolment has risen by as much as 44 percent, and one in five freshmen comes from abroad.
The University welcomed its new generation of students on 5 October with the ‘First Day’ program, held in a packed campus auditorium. The University now brings together students from 32 countries on five continents, and all study programes have been launched this academic year. The largest numbers of freshmen enrolled at the Faculty of Economics and Business, the Faculty of Maritime Studies and the Faculty of Media and Public Relations.
The new generation was welcomed by the Rector of the University of Dubrovnik, Professor Nebojša Stojčić, PhD: ‘I am especially pleased to see so many new faces on our campus today, and that more and more young people from Croatia and abroad recognize the University of Dubrovnik as the place where they want to begin an important chapter of their lives. University is, of course, a time for gaining knowledge, but it is equally a time of new experiences, friendships, ideas and opportunities. We want our students to feel from day one that they belong here, that they have our support, and that we encourage them to be curious, ambitious and open to the world. The years ahead offer them the chance to do a great deal for their future, and it is up to us to create the best possible conditions for that. I wish them all to enjoy their student years and to experience the University of Dubrovnik as a place of their own.’
The students were also addressed by the President of the Student Council, Mato Šundrica, who emphasized that the Council will stand by them throughout their studies.
The ceremony was also an opportunity for the University to honor students whose achievements it is particularly proud of. The Rector’s Awards for Scientific Research for the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 academic years were presented to Mia Lazo and Rado Senjo, Ivo Bilić, and Antonela Stanković and Frano Fišer. Awards for Contributions to the Academic and Wider Community went to Sara Bagić and to the students who launched and carried out the ‘Academic Inclusion’ project: Sara Kalogjera, Bruno Dedo, Iva Žitković, Vlaho Vidak Japalak, Tea Rožman and Romana Knežević.
Rector’s Award for Outstanding Achievements in Sports went to the University water polo team for winning the gold medal at the National University Championship. The team members are Ivan Jurišić, Vlaho Pavlić, Ivuša Burđelez, Ivan Zeko, Karlo Jurić, Harun Kazagić, Ivan Glavinić, Luka Bjelopera, Toni Sambrailo, Dominik Lončarić, Jure Jarak, Mauro Prkoča and Fran Garvan.
On behalf of all award winners, the audience was addressed by Iva Žitković, a student at the Faculty of Media and Public Relations. After the formal part of the ceremony, the freshmen met the teaching staff and students of their faculties and departments and received key information for the start of their studies. ‘First Day’ concluded with an informal get-together of freshmen, senior students and teaching staff.
With its new generation of students, the University of Dubrovnik will continue to develop study programes in line with the needs of young people and the labor market, invest in infrastructure and expand international cooperation. Strong project activity and close links between teaching and research will continue to enable students to gain up-to-date knowledge and experience relevant to their professional development during their studies.
Welcome to the University of Dubrovnik!
