After Medicine, Croatian Catholic University Launches Law Studies

After Catholic psychology, Catholic sociology, Catholic history, and the latest Catholic medicine, the Croatian Catholic University (HKS) is considering the establishment of a Catholic Law Study program.

This was announced by one of the professors of that faculty Tomislav Sokol, who is currently temporarily working as a representative in the European Parliament. Sokol, during a recent gathering with journalists in Brussels, responded to a journalist’s inquiry about whether he would be a candidate for the HDZ in the elections for that institution, saying he does not know, but that he has a place to return to work, namely his home university. He also briefly mentioned that a Law Study is planned to be established there.

– We are launching a Law Study at the Croatian Catholic University, so do you see what the existing Law Faculty at the University of Zagreb looks like – asked, somewhat rhetorically, representative Sokol.

We are exploring possibilities

Confirmation also came from the Croatian Catholic University institution. Suzana Obrovac Lipar, a professor at the Croatian Catholic University and their head of the Public Relations Office, briefly responded to a journalist’s inquiry from Lider that it is true that their university has indeed been exploring the possibility of launching a new study program, namely a law study, for some time.

– The formal procedures required for this have not yet been initiated with the relevant state authorities, so it cannot truly be said that an initiative has been launched – stated Obrovac Lipar.

Medicine according to mission

Let us recall that the Croatian Catholic University launched a medical study in 2020, and classes for that study began a year later.

– The idea of establishing a study was born out of our mission, or that mission which all Catholic universities around the world have. Our goal is the well-being of the community and serving humanity, and medicine is the branch of science that contributes the most to this – emphasized Dalibor Karlović, the dean of the newly established Medical Faculty at the Croatian Catholic University.

Establishing a new study is not a simple process. Before the license, HKS must meet strict legal and sub-legal regulations and fulfill a series of professional conditions and comply with all academic standards. First and foremost, it is necessary to obtain a positive recommendation from the Agency for Science and Higher Education regarding the justification for establishing the university in accordance with the strategic document of the network of higher education institutions, a report on the establishment that contains a study on the justification for establishing and conducting the proposed study programs, in the preparation of which teachers from the higher education system in which the study program will be conducted also participated.

Teaching in accordance with the Church

An analysis of the minimum institutional prerequisites for the comparability of the proposed study programs with the quality of related accredited study programs in Croatia and in European Union countries is also required. Of course, it is necessary to provide evidence of secured necessary funds for conducting activities. If and when the Agency provides a positive opinion or accreditation, after which the Ministry of Education gives consent for the establishment of the study.

According to their Statute, the operation of the Croatian Catholic University is based, among other things, on: the principles of Catholic teaching with high and special requirements of freedom and responsibility; valuing, preserving, promoting, and protecting Croatian tradition and national heritage as well as the entire culture; respecting and affirming human rights in accordance with the teachings of the Church; promoting the understanding of the Catholic faith and Catholic and Croatian culture and thought.

We do not know what the Ministry of Education’s opinion is on the establishment of a new law study, as we have not yet received a response from that institution, which we also asked whether a labor market needs test for future lawyers will be conducted.