Zagreb - Vukovar, 15 – 19 November 2004

1ST CONGRESS OF CROATIAN SCIENTISTS FROM THE HOMELAND AND ABROAD

CONCLUSIONS: Biomedicine & Health

1. In an organised and systematic manner and with the assistance of the Croatian Diaspora, strategically plan the development of Croatian science, tertiary and health institutions.

2. To include the Croatian Diaspora in the preparation and implementation of study programmes at Croatian universities, particularly doctorate and post-graduate studies.

3. To include the Croatian Diaspora in ensuring the quality of tertiary education, science and professional work, particularly with regard to evaluation procedures in institutions and of science projects.

4. To initiate development programmes for young Croatian scientists and professionals in foreign institutions guaranteeing their return to the homeland via conditions and infrastructures that will secure them appropriate working conditions.

5. To ensure the integrity of qualifications, education and science in Croatian clinical and university hospitals so that academic criteria does not conflict with routine standards.

6. To initiate collaborative research and qualified development programmes with the aim of promoting Croatian science, tertiary and health institutions utilising resources and excellence in the Croatian Diaspora.

7. With the assistance of the Croatian Diaspora, develop a national network of science, educational and professional centres of excellence.

8. To formalise co-operation between Croatian and foreign institutions to alleviate the utilisation of resources, setting up combined studies and include the Croatian Diaspora in developing a science and health system.

9. To remove the barriers and ensure financial resources to include the Croatian Diaspora in all activities recommended to date.

10. To set up a system of communications between the Croatian Diaspora and Croatian tertiary, science and health institutions, particularly Internet portals enabling on line communications.

Recommendations

For institutions

1. To strategically plan their own development, particularly human resources and to utilise resources and the strength of the Croatian Diaspora.

2. To develop study programmes with the assistance of the Croatian Diaspora.

3. To include the Croatian Diaspora to secure the quality of education, science and professional work.

4. To include the Croatian Diaspora in collaborative research work and development of expertise.

For the Ministry of Science, Education and Sports and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare

1. To organise communications between Croatian institutions and the Croatian Diaspora.

2. To set up funds and programmes to finance the participation of the Croatian Diaspora in the development of science, professional and educational programmes.

3. Through foundations and programmes, support partnerships between Croatian tertiary institutions and the industrial and private sectors.

4. To promote programmes to motivate ex-patriotism from the Croatian Diaspora to Croatian institutions as well as exchange programmes for the Croatian Diaspora with Croatian institutions.

5. To develop procedures of evaluation with the assistance of the Croatian Diaspora.

For the National Science Council and the National Council for Tertiary Education

1. To include the Croatian Diaspora in external evaluation programmes in science and tertiary institutions.

2. To include the Croatian Diaspora in other evaluation procedures.

For National foundations for science, tertiary education and technological development in the Republic of Croatia

1. To initiate programmes to include the Croatian Diaspora to develop strategic fields based on the principle of excellence and competency.

2. To include the Croatian Diaspora in evaluation procedures.