Aspira University College held the opening ceremony for the new academic year at Split’s Atrium Hotel on Tuesday, October 3 2017.
Nine years of continuous growth and development were crowned by the launch of a Computer Engineering degree program in Software Engineering. The degree program was created in collaboration with employers and is based on practice, as are the established Travel Management, Gastronomy and Sports Management degrees.
Be Part of the Solution At Aspira
Split Sports Association president Ivan Veštić pointed out that sports and tourism together make a destination more attractive and propulsive. Alijana Vukšić stated that the Split travel industry is undergoing growth, with a quality expert staff needed for developing Split’s destination potential. Joško Stella, head of the Split Tourist Board, stressed that Aspira was a “quality partner.” Ante Radovčić, Senior Advisor at the Split-Dalmatia County Social Activities Office, accented the connection between Aspira and the economy using the words “Aspira is bringing out the exact kind of staff we need.” Director of the Radisson Blu Resort Split Michael Caspar emphasized that knowledge is power and that hard work always bears fruit. He invited the gathered students to be part of the solution and not part of the problem.
Education is Key to Development
Alen Jerkunica, Aspira President of the Board, singled out Aspira as the only higher education institution in Croatia involving professional practice into freshman year and the deficit of expert staff as the motivator for new degree program initiation. Aspira Director Milivoj Jerkunica advised the students to never give up in their endeavors. Aspira Dean Anita Grubišić reminded students they were facing “the most beautiful, carefree period of their youth,” but that a globalized society is making knowledge go obsolete very quickly, which exact fact makes education a key factor of economic development. She closed her address by opening the new academic year.
A rich banquet organized by the hosts, Hotel Atrium, followed, after which students were on their way to the year’s first lessons.