Strengthening International Collaboration: International Staff Week 2026 in Pula

The programme gathered participants from several European countries, including Lithuania, Serbia, Italy, Austria, Poland, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Türkiye, highlighting the importance of international dialogue and networking within the academic community. The opening remarks at the beginning of the event were delivered by Assoc. Prof. Iva Slivar, PhD, Vice Dean for Research and International Cooperation, as well as Ivona Peternel, PhD, Head of the Mobility, International Relations and Programmes Office.

Throughout the five-day programme, participants engaged in a variety of academic and social activities. The academic component featured lectures by international experts covering topics such as university communication in the digital age, the role of intangible cultural heritage in tourism, challenges of radicalization in contemporary societies, cyber threats in the digital environment, the environmental impact of digitalization, and the application of artificial intelligence in higher education. The programme also included a roundtable discussion on the role of universities in fostering social innovation and regional development, as well as presentations of Erasmus+ exchange opportunities offered by partner institutions.

In addition to the academic programme, a rich social agenda allowed participants to explore the cultural and historical heritage of Istria. Activities included a guided tour of the city of Pula, visits to landmarks such as the Amphitheatre and the House of Istrian Olive Oil, as well as a field trip to Vodnjan and the Ecomuseum “Istrian de Dignan”. The final day of the event was dedicated to student project presentations developed in collaboration with the University of Maribor.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all participants, lecturers, and partner institutions for their valuable contributions to the successful realization of this event. We look forward to future collaborations and joint initiatives.