The internationalization of Faculty of Medicine Rijeka

Internationalization, mobility, and quality are key concepts that have inspired us in the development challenge of creating and performing an integrated undergraduate and graduate university study of medicine in English. As an echo of the dynamic processes in the field of higher education, the study of Medicine in English will start with the academic year 2017/2018 with the primary objective of utilizing internationalization

to significantly improve participation in scientific and educational mobility of the European Union as well as to use the implementation of strict international standards to raise the bar on the quality of the overall studies that are conducted at our Faculty of Medicine. The University of Rijeka is a research-based university, engaged in the international concept of higher education and scientific research and an active factor of socio-cultural transition to a ‘knowledge society’. Recognizing these values, Faculty of Medicine as the oldest and strongest component of the University of Rijeka, in its 62 years of existence, is establishing an advanced dynamic model of systematic and organized internationalization of its value and reach by developing a vision of an internationally oriented academic community.

Rijeka has always been a part of the developed world, often initiating first steps on the territory of new knowledge, skills, procedures, intellectual or material achievements, often defying conservative restraints of time and space. Apart from the quality of the educational process and the pleasant study environment, studying in Rijeka is really enjoyable for the various sports and social activities organized by the Students Organizations, as well as for the pleasant Mediterranean and Central European environment that our town offers.

Integrated undergraduate and graduate university study of Medicine in English is based on the internationally recognized and accredited curriculum program in the Croatian language. The importance of the internationalization of this program is to increase the quality of teaching, broaden the access to additional resources for teaching and scientific activity and enhance the reputation and attractiveness of Faculty of Medicine, as well as better compatibility with programs at the national and international level. Our expectations are focused on achieving a cooperative and competitive life of foreign students with Croatian students, with the aim of raising the general level of knowledge, responsibility, and culture of the entire academic life and work at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Rijeka. Rijeka, the city that flows, an example of centuries of cooperation and acceptance of diversity and respect.

Let us proudly say. With its scientific, professional and overall intellectual capacity, based on tradition and continuous development, Faculty of Medicine at the University of Rijeka, is an important factor in the biomedical map of Southeast Europe. We widely open new doors of cooperation and partnership with the international academic community, encouraging the input and output of scientific and educational mobility, accelerated flow of information and ideas. Where the wider network of people with broad perspective will bring new knowledge, skills, multicultural competence and values, new forms of intermingling and many reasons to smile towards a better tomorrow. I wish you a pleasant stay in our institution and our city, and an interesting and inspiring insight into our activities and work, as well as your continuous will for cooperation. Thank you for recognizing our institution as a potentially interesting environment in the process of acquiring knowledge and skills in the field of biomedicine. That is, along with a sense of satisfaction and meaningfulness, the most and the best we can give.

Professor Saša Ostojić, MD, PhD
Vice Dean for Developmental Programmes