Stjepan Lakušić: We will make the most beautiful university, we will build new accommodation for students

‘Lakushić offered candies’

He is at the Senate session confidence for the new four-year mandate was given by 58 members. His opponent, Ivan Koprićudean of the Faculty of Law, 13 members of the Senate voted. Three votes were invalid, and all members of the Senate were present at the session.

Koprić after the session, he congratulated Lakuša on his victory and said that he hoped to take over some of his ideas. He said that he was satisfied with the whole process because he managed to point out the University’s problems and possible solutions through media appearances. When asked if he still expected more votes, he answered:

– I had an internal bookmaker, but I won’t tell you how many votes I predicted they would get. In this constellation, it is very difficult to get more votes. The situation is such that colleague Lakušć in various ways, in recent days he managed to win some people over to his side. Whether it’s funny or not, regardless. I offered the concept of a better university, and he offered other candies.

‘We will make the most beautiful university’

Stjepan Lakušić he is in a long speech announced that large projects are continuing that will strengthen the connection between the economy and the university, that will provide more accommodation capacity for students in Zagreb, revive the Borongaj Campus,

– The members of the Senate recognized and supported the program we presented for the coming period and gave us strong confidence to continue our work. When we talk about the University of Zagreb, we must point out that it is about the largest and oldest university in the Republic of Croatia. After the renovation, it will be one of the most beautiful, but what is especially important is that the word about the university with the largest number of constituents and students and about the key pillar of the higher education system in Croatia – he pointed out.

Lakušić said that it is extremely demanding to manage such a large and complex system in which about 52 percent of all students in Croatia study.

– The largest part of scientific productivity in Croatia comes precisely from our university, and many innovations and development steps in the economy are the result of the work of our scientists. In the past three and a half years, we have realized a number of important projects, and the plans for the next mandate will further strengthen the position of the University. Our goal is to enable development that will contribute to the competitiveness and prosperity of the Republic of Croatia. Because if you want to slow down the development of a country, the easiest way is to ignore education. Changes and progress occur precisely through knowledge, and knowledge is acquired at universities. Universities create experts, innovations and new ideas that move society and the economy – said Lakuši.

‘Borongaj was neglected’

Pointing out that students are always at the center of the university’s activities, he announced the development of the Borongaj university campus as one of the most important projects in the new mandate. This is the point where all university administrations stumble. 20 years, and it was the same in this first term of Lakuša. Koprić proposed abandoning the idea of ​​Borongaj, and the precise development of science centers according to the locations of different faculties. Lakushić he thinks it’s not a good idea.

– That project was neglected for a long time, but now it is gaining strategic importance again. The Borongaj campus was conceived as a space for strong cooperation between the academic community and the economy. Numerous centers of excellence are planned, among others in the fields of construction, transport, speech therapy, robotics, artificial intelligence and personalized medicine. Cooperation with economy and industry will be especially important, because we want students to be more during their studies, they develop the knowledge and skills needed on the labor market. In addition, the development of student capacities is planned, including new student dormitories and sports facilities, so that the Borongaj campus will become the center of student life – he announced.

When asked why it hasn’t been started yet, he replied that only those who have never worked on large projects can ask. For any big project, it takes at least two or three years to come to fruition, and Borongaj has been forgotten so far, he pointed out.

As he announced, more pavilions will be built on Borongaj, where 1200 beds for students should be built in the first phase. The extension of the Student Dormitory Stjepan Radić on Sava.

President of the Student Union Gordon Kragić he stated for the portal srednja.hr that he is satisfied with the cooperation with Lakuš so far, but that the students still have serious expectations.

– Student dormitories are the main issue, because they represent the general standard of students, to accommodate a large number of students in good accommodation at a low price. This is, after all, in line with all European policies of affordable housing for young people until 2025. Also, access to student work needs to be improved – students are tied to the minimum gross salary, which is good because their hourly wages are higher. But they can’t work much considering the remaining time after completing their university obligations, and the pressure of living standards is increasing and they have to work. The third and very important thing can be solved in the short term – dormitories cannot fall from the sky and work cannot change overnight, but what can be done by the next academic year is that the food in canteens is improved, that new dishes are introduced, that the food is of better quality and that all students in Croatia, not only those from Zagreb, eat better – said Kragi.