At Aspira College in Split and Zagreb, on October 4 and 5, the new academic year 2021/2022 was officially opened. New challenges, new knowledge and a lot of beautiful shared moments in the coming year await Aspira’s students. In addition to students and professors, the ceremony was attended by representatives of the business sector and Aspira’s partners: Mr. Goran Morovic – owner and creator of Villa Nai 3.3. on Dugi otok, Denis Fusek – president of the professional organization for IT and technical manager at Lama d.o.o, chef Ivan Pažanin, State Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports Sandra Herman and food blogger Marijana Zlomislić (Un mondo di sapori). All of them shared their experiences and the importance of education with the students:
“Dear students, do not neglect your obligations, do not find excuses because we need you. Croatian tourism needs you and it needs you as soon as possible. We hear every day about the lack of workers in tourism, whether you have a high school diploma, whether you will graduate, get a doctoral degree, a master’s degree – we need you. “Congratulations to Aspira for your strategic thinking, for doing your programs, projects and enrollment quotas in cooperation with employers, which is extremely important. Therefore, it is not surprising that 97% of your students are employed after completing your programs,” said Sandra Herman, Secretary of State in Ministry of Tourism and Sports.
“I don’t have to explain to you how important it is to work on yourself, how important it is to educate yourself, and I am convinced that the right place for that is Aspira College and that you will get everything you need here.” – said Andrija Polić, President of the Split Sports Federation.
During the official part of the ceremony, the members of the Board of Aspira addressed the audience and gave the students words of support and some “life” advice.
“Persistence is the most important thing, never give up! If you persevere, you will be able to do everything in life. Also, very important – do not make decisions in a hurry. You will face many different problems in life, but then stop for a day, think and do not make hasty decisions, you will see that the situation is much better “- said the President of the Board of Aspira College, Milivoj Jerkunica.
“You got the opportunity, use it. Everything is served for you, it’s up to you how much you will take. We are your second family now, we are now one team. We are not teachers on the one side, students on the other, we all share the same goal. We are here for you, do not hesitate to reach us, my door is always open. I wish you a lot of success in this academic year! ”- said dean Alen Jerkunica.
The dean also presented awards to the most successful students and teachers in the last year.
Dean’s awards for academic performance in 2020/2021 went to students: Ivan Temšić, Ivan Vrgoč, Niko Amižić, Mladenka Kekez, Filip Poštenik, Nika Fon, Filip Bešlić and Klaudia Šiprak, while students Ana Tokić and Frane Maršić received an award for involvement in extracurricular activities in the previous academic year.
Apart from the students, the dean’s awards were given to teachers who, according to student surveys, were the best in the previous academic year. The awards were given to professor Jelena Krčum and Ivana Šalinović.
In addition to awards for teaching, awards for excellence in scientific research and professional work were awarded for the academic year 2020/2021. to professor Luka Androja and professor Marijana Blažić.
Also, professor Mario Buble was awarded for his involvement in extracurricular activities with the students and professor Dean Nemčić for academic achievements and awards in 2020/2021.
Apart from Croatian students, this week also marked the beginning of the academic year for Aspira’s foreign students and ERASMUS students. This year there are 40 of them, the largest number so far, which we are especially proud of in these challenging times! We hope that Aspira, and Croatia as a whole, will be a beautiful memory and an experience that will further enrich their lives and student days.
After the official opening of the new academic year, the ones present had the opportunity to enjoy a reception prepared by students of Gastronomy under the mentorship of our chef Nikša Boban.
We wish a lot of happiness and success to all Aspira’s students and professors in the new academic year with the thought shared by the Vice Dean Mario Buble – be yourself, eager for knowledge and challenges, be full of the minimum, strive for the maximum.