Archive 2023
Lecture: Teachers and Students with Special Educational Needs
On Monday, 11 December 2023, the lecture Teachers and Students with Special Educational Needs was held at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Osijek, organised by the FFOS Alumni Association and the FUZ&JA science popularisation programme. The lecture was delivered by Krunoslava Duka, MA in Primary Education and Special Education. The participants gained insight into the education of students with developmental disabilities and of students without adequate parental care within the social welfare system. These students form a vulnerable subgroup whose inclusive needs often differ from those of the average student. The lecture explained the specific educational needs of this heterogeneous group of schoolchildren and clarified the reasons for the more frequent occurrence of learning difficulties, behavioural problems, emotional difficulties and other developmental issues caused by unfavourable educational, social, economic and cultural factors.
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- Alumni: Učitelji i učenici s posebnim odgojno-obrazovnim potrebama
Lecture: Where Has Humanity Gone?
On Thursday, 7 December 2023, the lecture Where Has Humanity Gone? was held as part of the FUZ&JA science popularisation programme. The lecture was delivered by Mirta Faktor, a teacher of Croatian Language and Literature at Osijek Medical School.
The lecturer reflected on the importance of individuals who wish to help others and on the power of volunteers to influence change and improve their communities. During the lecture, she shared her experiences and examples of good practice from her teaching work with students of Osijek Medical School.
She particularly highlighted her personal volunteering engagement and the project she launched, “If I Were Peter Pan”, which has received numerous recognitions and awards.
More information about the project is available at: https://youtu.be/LVQXfkCbrTU?si=yX_iliPaZK3GXiJe
We thank the lecturer, as well as the students of Osijek Medical School and the Ruđer Bošković Technical School and Science Grammar School who attended the lecture.
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- Alumni: Gdje je nestao čovjek?
Book Launch: Gender Differences in Congressional Speeches
On Tuesday, 28 November 2023, the academic monograph Gender Differences in Congressional Speeches by Dragana Božić Lenard, published by Ethics Press Publishing, was launched as part of the FUZ&JA science popularisation programme. The book was presented by Professor Marija Omazić, PhD, from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Osijek; Associate Professor Anita Dremel, PhD, from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Osijek; Ashnil Murray, PhD, from Torrens University Australia; Professor David Robinson, PhD, from Holmes Institute, Australia; and the author, Assistant Professor Dragana Božić Lenard, PhD, from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Information Technology Osijek.
Professor Marija Omazić, PhD, who supervised the author’s doctoral dissertation on which the monograph is based, spoke about the beginnings of their collaboration in defining the topic, methodology and implementation of the doctoral research. She emphasised the detailed research conducted on an extensive corpus using mixed methods, which demonstrates the exceptional academic contribution of the monograph. Professor Omazić also presented the structure of the book and highlighted the contribution of each chapter.
Associate Professor Anita Dremel, PhD, introduced the audience to her connection with the author. She discussed gender similarities and differences from sociological and sociolinguistic perspectives, which the author also addresses in the book. She emphasised the importance of raising awareness of gender similarities and gender equality at all times, but particularly during the 16 Days of Activism campaign, with which the book’s subject matter fits especially well.
Ashnil Murray, PhD, one of the book’s international reviewers, joined the event by video link from Australia. He spoke about the monograph’s exceptional academic and practical contribution to the study of gender differences in political speeches. As an active politician himself, the book broadened his perspective, and the results presented in it led him to prepare his political speeches in an entirely different way.
Finally, the author, Assistant Professor Dragana Božić Lenard, PhD, discussed her motivation for writing the academic monograph, which was developed as an expanded version of her doctoral dissertation. She received a British Scholarship Trust research grant, spent two months at Middlesex University London and later defended the dissertation at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Osijek under the supervision of Professor Marija Omazić, PhD. The author explained that the idea for the book emerged while she was researching multilingualism and encountered the claim that men and women speak different languages while using the same national language. The monograph presents a linguistic analysis of 80 categories, ranging from long words and sentences, through all linguistic categories such as pronouns and verbs, to words used when discussing money, religion, success and similar topics. For the presentation, the author selected the category of personal pronouns, which individually receive the greatest attention from researchers. She focused on the personal pronouns I and we. Her research found no statistically significant difference in their use between female and male politicians, although significant contextual differences were identified. Female politicians appeared more serious and professional and more oriented towards the voters they represented, while male politicians identified more strongly with the political parties that had brought them to prominence, while simultaneously attempting to gain political support by sharing personal experiences. The author concluded the presentation by expressing her view that gender differences still exist in the public sphere, although they are less evident than they were several decades ago. She believes that women are aware of male dominance in politics and accept the norms established by men when entering “their world”, but she also believes that they must be careful when attempting to break through the glass ceiling, as they may cut themselves along the way.
Antigypsyism
On Monday, 30 October, the lecture Antigypsyism was held as part of the FUZ&JA science popularisation programme. The lecture was delivered by Jasmina Šahović Žabka, MA in Adult Education, and Romana Nikolić, LLB, Member of Parliament.
Jasmina began the lecture by defining the concept of antigypsyism and providing a historical overview of events related to the Roma, their culture and the attitudes of other peoples towards them. As distressing facts were presented, expressions of shock could be heard from the audience. The lecturer actively involved the audience by asking questions about stereotypes concerning the Roma that have proved resistant to the passage of time. The participants concluded that greater awareness should be raised about the position of the Roma in Croatia, which remains undeniably unequal and discriminatory.
Following Jasmina’s lecture, Member of Parliament Romana Nikolić, who frequently speaks about the position of the Roma in Croatia, presented selected recent statistical data confirming their unequal status. The data also highlighted persistent problems related to teenage pregnancy, school dropout and peer violence, which are difficult to resolve. Romana drew attention to the extremely difficult position of Roma women in Croatia and within the Roma community itself. She introduced the audience to initiatives and projects funded by the European Union that aim to improve the position of the Roma in Croatia.
The lecture also received media coverage, and statements by the lecturers are available at https://radio.hrt.hr/radio-osijek/vijesti/predavanje-anticiganizam-o-diskriminaciji-roma-11119542Words as Medicine – Guided Reading
On Monday, 23 September 2023, the lecture Words as Medicine – Guided Reading was held at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Osijek as part of the activities of the FFOS Alumni Association and FUZ&JA. The lecture was delivered by Mirta Faktor, a teacher of Croatian Language and Literature at Osijek Medical School. The lecture introduced participants to the concepts of bibliotherapy, or therapy through books. Bibliotherapy and poetry therapy have broad applications in work with people of all ages. In many countries, bibliotherapy is used in institutions concerned with the care, support and education of people, including hospitals, schools, homes for older people, institutions for children with developmental disabilities and similar settings, as well as through reading rooms, libraries and book clubs.
The lecturer shared her experiences and examples of good practice from her teaching work with students of Osijek Medical School.
The Logic of History, or How to Discuss History with Non-Historians
Pedagogical Competencies as a Prerequisite for Project Coordination
On 27 June 2023, Jasmin Prišć, a member of the FFOS Alumni Association and an MA in Pedagogy, delivered a lecture entitled “Pedagogical Competencies as a Prerequisite for Project Coordination” at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Osijek. Ten people attended the lecture and had the opportunity to learn about the possibilities of designing, proposing and implementing projects, as well as the competencies required within the Erasmus+ programme.
During the lecture, participants were introduced to the “training course” programme within Key Action 1 projects, which focuses on individual mobility. The programme is aimed at teachers, youth workers and educators who attend intensive multi-day programmes led by trainers. Jasmin shared his many years of experience in preparing and implementing such projects and highlighted the importance of the following competencies: project writing, including research skills, finding project partners, preparing official documentation, methodical work, an analytical approach and attention to detail; project organisation, including participant selection, interpersonal communication, communication in a foreign language, non-verbal communication, assessment of candidates’ personalities, motivation and competencies in the project topic; economic and digital competencies; financial literacy; and project reporting, including drawing conclusions and summarising.
During his lecture, Jasmin also paid particular attention to the role of trainers during project implementation. This role includes understanding the project topic, ensuring a pleasant atmosphere, establishing authority, remaining flexible, respecting participants’ needs, acting as a facilitator rather than a lecturer, communicating one’s own boundaries and respecting those of others, praising participants for excellent results, allowing participants to take initiative, assuming responsibility and making quick decisions, and ultimately being both a friend and a human being! 😊
Translators in the Labour Market
On 15 May 2023, organised by the FFOS Alumni Association and as part of FUZ&JA, FFOS alumna Marija Viljušić delivered a public lecture entitled Translators in the Labour Market at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Osijek, in Room 53, from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. The audience consisted mainly of students enrolled in the graduate Translation Studies programmes in English and German, along with several undergraduate students of English or German and a number of lecturers teaching in the graduate Translation Studies programme. The lecture was moderated by FFOS Alumni Association member Assistant Professor Goran Schmidt, PhD. Marija Viljušić graduated from FFOS in 2015 with degrees in English Language and Literature and German Language and Literature, Translation Studies track, and has since gained diverse professional experience. She has worked as a translator in various translation agencies, completed an internship in an EU translation department and launched and successfully managed her own translation business. Her lecture focused primarily on employment opportunities for translators, particularly the legal and economic aspects of working independently.
How Did Old Osijek Residents Advertise? A Journey into the Advertising Discourse of the Late 19th and Early 20th Centuries
Associate Professor Ivana Jozić, PhD, organised by the FFOS Alumni Association as part of the FUZ&JA science popularisation programme, delivered the lecture How Did Old Osijek Residents Advertise? A Journey into the Advertising Discourse of the Late 19th and Early 20th Centuries on 20 April 2023, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Osijek. The lecture was open to the public, and the audience was diverse, ranging from current and former students to other interested members of the public. The lecture was moderated by FFOS Alumni Association member Assistant Professor Goran Schmidt, PhD. Professor Jozić, who is currently employed at the FFOS Department of German Language and Literature, is herself a FFOS alumna. She graduated in 2002 in English Language and Literature and German Language and Literature from the former Faculty of Education. Through vivid examples of advertising texts from German-language Osijek newspapers from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the lecturer successfully introduced the audience not only to advertising discourse but also to the spirit of Osijek during the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy.
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- Alumni: Kako su oglašavali stari Osječani?
Pedagogy of Relationships
On 13 April 2023, Assistant Professor Sanja Simel Pranjić, PhD, from the Department of Pedagogy at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Osijek, held a pedagogical workshop entitled Pedagogy of Relationships – A Response to Educational Challenges?. The workshop was attended by 22 participants from different fields, academic disciplines and levels of the education system. They included students of Pedagogy and/or teacher education programmes, graduates of Pedagogy, Psychology and Social Work, early childhood and preschool educators, and teachers employed in primary and secondary schools, at universities and in adult education institutions.
At both theoretical and practical levels, the workshop addressed the importance of relationships in the context of education from different perspectives, as well as the factors that influence their development. The participants discussed high-quality relationships as a prerequisite for excellence among children, young people and adults in learning and personal development. They also discussed the idea that relationships are valuable in themselves, particularly because they support the development of our “relational competencies”, or the learning of different patterns of high-quality relationships.
Lecture: Introduction to Across
On Friday, 24 March, the online lecture Introduction to Across was held as part of the graduate Translation Studies programme in English Language and Literature and the FUZ&JA programme. The lecture was delivered by former student of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Osijek Tea Rajić. She selected the Across translation tool and demonstrated how it works, how translation memory is used, how a quality analysis is conducted after completing a translation and what potential problems may arise from differences between language pairs, using concrete examples. She presented both the advantages and the more numerous disadvantages of working in Across and compared it with the more popular Trados.
Tea showed the students what using a translation tool looks like from both the translator’s and the project manager’s perspectives. The comparative analysis was very detailed and supported by examples from real translation situations.
After the lecture, students asked questions about other translation tools, licences and the beginnings of a translation career. Tea answered patiently and in detail, offering numerous practical tips and sources of information to her future colleagues.
Lecture: Supporting Children with Trauma Experiences in the School Environment
On Tuesday, 7 February 2023, the lecture “Supporting Children with Trauma Experiences in the School Environment” was held at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Osijek as part of FUZ&JA and organised by the FFOS Alumni Association. The lecture was delivered by psychologists from SOS Children’s Village Ladimirevci, Višnja Matić and Davor Vinković.
The lecture introduced participants to the concept of trauma, with particular emphasis on complex trauma, and its impact on the development of a child’s brain and overall development. It also explained how children with trauma experiences may perceive circumstances and demands in the school environment as unsafe and threatening, and which survival strategies they may activate in such situations. The final part of the lecture was devoted to constructive strategies adults can use in response to children’s inadequate reactions, as well as the importance of caring for one’s own mental health, particularly for those working in educational institutions who are exposed to occupational stress and secondary traumatisation.
We would like to thank our lecturers and everyone who attended the workshop.
Archive 2022
Dance and Movement Therapy Workshop
On Wednesday, 7 December 2022, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. in Room 39 of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, the Dance and Movement Therapy workshop was held as part of the FUZ&JA science popularisation programme. The workshop was led by Antonija Blažević, Univ. Spec. Art. Therap., and you can get a glimpse of the atmosphere in the photo gallery.
Outline Workshop
On Monday, 24 October 2022, at 5 p.m., the Outline workshop was held at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Osijek, organised by the FFOS Alumni Association and FUZ&JA FFOS. The workshop was led by Vedran Bjelobradić, an Osijek graffiti artist known by the artistic name Rebus. Participants had the opportunity to explore the history of graffiti, learn about the development of this form of artistic expression and enjoy creating their own sketches. Accompanied by visual examples of graffiti from around the world, the workshop leader introduced the basics of graffiti from its earliest beginnings in the late 1960s to the present day. You can get a glimpse of the atmosphere in the photographs and video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsHnkaHSvRg
How to Make an Effective Oral Presentation
On Thursday, 13 October 2022, a guest lecture entitled How to Make an Effective Oral Presentation was held at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Information Technology Osijek at the invitation of Assistant Professor Dragana Božić Lenard, PhD, President of the FFOS Alumni Association and assistant professor at the Faculty. The lecture was delivered by Professor Robert Yagelski, PhD, from the University at Albany, New York, USA. It was attended by third-year undergraduate students of Software Engineering and Computer Engineering, whose regular study programme includes preparing a ten-minute presentation on a professional or technical topic and delivering it to their fellow students. During the 90-minute interactive lecture, Professor Yagelski introduced students to the technical preparation and structure of presentations, the fundamentals of rhetoric, presentation techniques, body language and ways of responding to questions from the audience. He also answered numerous questions from interested students.
Demonstration of Working with Associative Cards
On Tuesday, 14 June 2022, as part of FUZ&JA, the science popularisation project of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Osijek, and organised by the FFOS Alumni Association, Associate Professor Daniela Šincek, PhD, held a workshop entitled Demonstration of Working with Associative Cards. During the interactive workshop, participants were introduced to different types of associative cards, which they used to express their emotions, recognise similarities and differences in perspective with their partner and, most importantly, gain a better understanding of themselves.
Thinking, Speaking, Lying: On the Possibilities of Truth While We Lie
On Wednesday, 18 May 2022, as part of FUZ&JA, the science popularisation project of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Osijek, and organised by the FFOS Alumni Association, Atila Lukić, PhD, delivered a lecture entitled “Thinking, Speaking, Lying: On the Possibilities of Truth While We Lie”.
During his presentation, Atila Lukić, PhD, discussed how we experience the power of language and actively involved the audience by asking questions such as: “Is knowledge something possessed by an individual, institution or archive? Can we view knowledge more as an aspiration than as an achievement? Is knowledge therefore a structure of rules or methods for reaching a specific goal rather than a single unified phenomenon?” In his lecture, he explained how we perceive truth and lies, as well as how we understand the way we speak in general. The lecture was followed by questions from the audience, and judging by the discussion, it can be concluded that all participants were extremely satisfied. Numerous further questions and topics for future research were also raised.
“Lying is a topic that has always interested me both philosophically and psychologically. Professor Atila Lukić’s lecture far exceeded my expectations, as I had previously become accustomed to his lectures at school. By addressing historical philosophical understandings of truth itself, he made the lecture even more interesting and enabled me to consider different perspectives.” (Elvira H.) “Professor Lukić managed to transform an everyday and seemingly simple topic into an interesting lecture and to delve more deeply into the phenomenon of lying. I look forward to further research and future lectures.” (Antun A.)️
We would like to thank our lecturer and everyone who attended the lecture.
Alumni FFOS Meetup
On Friday, 13 May 2022, at 5 p.m., the Alumni FFOS Meetup was held in the cafeteria of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences as part of Career Week, led by Assistant Professor Sanja Simel Pranjić, PhD, and Assistant Professor Senka Žižanović, PhD. Successful and well-known members of the Alumni Association, Jelena Pataki, Željka Bertić Kukić, Ivana Buljubašić Srb and Nikica Torbica, presented their workplaces, career paths and the challenges they encountered along the way to students of the Faculty. Jelena Pataki, a translator and assistant at the Department of English Language and Literature at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Osijek, has translated approximately fifty books to date, including psychological thrillers, romance novels, fantasy novels and children’s books. Željka Bertić Kukić is the founder and director of the Janus Adult Education Institution. Ivana Buljubašić Srb, a literary critic, received the Julije Benešić Certificate of Achievement for her contribution to literary criticism in 2016 and the Josip and Ivan Kozarac Award for academic book of the year in 2019. Nikica Torbica is the Head of the Social Atelier at DKolektiv, an organisation for social development. In a positive atmosphere and through an engaging conversation, the guests of the Alumni FFOS Meetup offered students useful advice and encouraged them with positive messages at the beginning of their career journeys.
Heraldry Workshop – Demonstration Workshop for History Teachers
On Wednesday, 6 April 2022, the workshop Heraldry Workshop – Demonstration Workshop for History Teachers was held, organised by the FFOS Alumni Association as part of the FUZ&JA science popularisation programme. The workshop was led by Assistant Professor Danijel Jelaš, PhD, and Petra Kolesarić, MA in Pedagogy and History Education. The aim of the demonstration workshop for history teachers was to raise awareness of and demonstrate how coats of arms can be used in history teaching. The workshop consisted of a theoretical and a practical component. We would like to thank our lecturers and everyone who attended the workshop.
Ideology, Guilt and Retaliation
Vlaho Lovrić and the (Dis)Continuities of the First Half of the 20th Century
On Tuesday, 8 March 2022, the book by Assistant Professor Domagoj Tomas, PhD, Ideology, Guilt and Retaliation – Vlaho Lovrić and the (Dis)Continuities of the First Half of the 20th Century, was presented. We congratulate the member of our Association and thank everyone who attended and contributed to the event.
How to Stay Normal in the New Normal
On Tuesday, 15 February 2022, the lecture How to Stay Normal in the New Normal was held. Sociologist Ljiljana Pintarić and psychologist Monika Ećimović provided a historical overview of the social consequences of recent pandemics and offered advice on coping with anxiety in the new normal.
Archive 2021
The Long Women’s March in Osijek
On 16 December 2021, the FFOS Alumni Association and the Museum of Slavonia organised the presentation of the book The Long Women’s March by Ana Rajković Pejić, PhD. The presentation offered an example of research into these topics through the position of women within the education system. It highlighted the importance of the author’s systematic and methodological approach, as well as the socio-political context of research into women’s issues both globally and in Croatia.
Experiences from Brussels and How to Present Yourself to an Employer Abroad
Another excellent online lecture held via Zoom introduced us to the experiences of our alumnus Slaven Lendić. The lecture was attended online by FFOS students and several lecturers from the FFOS Department of English Language and Literature. In his lecture held on 8 December 2021, Slaven provided some of the missing pieces of the puzzle by explaining how he moved from point A, studying the humanities at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Osijek, to point B, working in EU institutions in Brussels. It is fair to say that his path was far from straightforward.
An internship at DG Translation in Brussels served as a springboard for his career in EU institutions. Slaven then guided the audience through the “maze” of EU institutions, explaining internship opportunities within them. He highlighted two options: EPSO internships, organised by the European Personnel Selection Office, and the Blue Book Traineeship. After completing his internship at DG Translation, Slaven wanted to remain in Brussels and continue building his career there. To achieve this, he registered with the Belgian employment service, Actiris Brussels. He also mentioned the temporary employment agency Randstad and useful job-search portals such as EuroBrussels and Euractiv, which provide access to opportunities in the Brussels private sector. He shared numerous useful tips and links and offered his assistance to anyone willing to follow a similar path.
ICT in Education
On Tuesday, 30 November 2021, a lecture entitled ICT in Education was held. The lecture took place online via Zoom, beginning at 6 p.m. and lasting an hour and a half. It was attended by 71 participants from across Croatia, most of whom were teachers working in primary and secondary schools.
The lecturers, Marija Bulut Lukačević, MSc, Marina Arambašić and Ljiljana Marinjak, presented the possibilities and advantages of working with the online tools Canva, Weebly and Genially. Teacher adviser Marija Bulut Lukačević presented Canva, its possible applications in the educational work of teachers and professional associates, the registration process, the features it offers and examples of materials she uses in her daily work. Mentor teacher Marina Arambašić presented website creation using the online platform Weebly. Participants had the opportunity to learn how to create and edit a website, format content and embed interactive content, documents, presentations and photographs.
Teacher adviser Ljiljana Marinjak spoke about the online digital tool Genially, which is used to create and share various types of media content and presentations. She explained how to create a user account and introduced the available options for creating presentations, quizzes, infographics, board games and greeting cards.
Fundamentals of Pedagogy
On Tuesday, 26 November 2021, the textbook Fundamentals of Pedagogy, written by Professor Marko Mušanović, PhD, and Associate Professor Mirko Lukaš, PhD, was presented. The event was held in the Small Ceremonial Hall of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Osijek, beginning at 5 p.m. The book was presented by its author, Associate Professor Mirko Lukaš, PhD, the reviewer of the second revised edition, Professor Zlatko Miliša, PhD, and Dean Cikovac, PhD.
The textbook Fundamentals of Pedagogy aims to present selected topics that encompass the fundamental knowledge of pedagogical academic discourse. The selected topics explain the basic concepts of pedagogy, beginning with the definition of pedagogy as a science and its methodology, the development of pedagogical ideas and the concept of education, and continuing through the essential components of the pedagogical system. Its content provides a clear and systematic understanding of the phenomenon of education for everyone involved in teaching and education, while also serving as an important resource for preparing university courses dealing with introductory pedagogy, general pedagogy or the fundamentals of pedagogy. The need to expand the textbook with new content arose from the academic necessity of examining contemporary pedagogical processes and their importance for understanding pedagogy as a science.
How to Start and Succeed as a Translator
On Monday, 25 October 2021, a lecture entitled How to Start and Succeed as a Translator was held via the Zoom channel of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Osijek. The lecture was delivered by Larisa Bašić, who holds a degree in English and German Language and Literature and completed the Translation Studies track at the Faculty.
The lecture attracted many online participants, most of whom were graduate students enrolled in the Translation Studies track. Larisa structured the lecture around her own professional journey as a translator, which began with an internship at a translation service in Brussels. In addition to the Joint Translation Service of the European Committee of the Regions and the European Economic and Social Committee, she introduced participants to other European institutions and explained where they could find relevant information about work and internship opportunities and how to prepare application documents. She explained what it means to work under an author’s contract and how fees are calculated. She also described working in a translation agency and emphasised that, in addition to language skills, employees need teamwork, team-management and mentoring skills. Working in a translation agency gives employees the opportunity to improve their vocabulary in different fields by translating various types of texts or to specialise in a particular field. Larisa highlighted reliable salary payments and the possibility of taking annual and sick leave as some of the greatest advantages of working in a translation agency. A third option is working within a company, which offers additional opportunities for specialisation in a particular field. However, such positions often combine translation or proofreading with administrative tasks, which may not suit everyone. The lecturer explained the differences between translation-related tasks such as localisation, transcreation and the marketing adaptation of text and visual content. Finally, she explained the process of starting one’s own business and highlighted numerous advantages, including being one’s own boss, managing one’s own time, choosing clients and working with international clients, as well as disadvantages such as constant availability, delayed payments, replaceability, cheaper competition, machine translation and unpaid annual leave.
My Path to Brussels
On Wednesday, 23 June 2021, a lecture entitled My Path to Brussels was held via the Zoom channel of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Osijek. The lecture was delivered by Hrvoje Grganović, who holds a degree in German Language and Literature and works in Brussels as an external project and communications expert.
Hrvoje emphasised the importance of participating in mobility programmes and offered his professional assistance to all interested participants. Although most students believe that acquiring professional knowledge and skills, accompanied by high grades, is the most important factor, Hrvoje revealed that employers, at least those he had encountered, also look for a willingness to volunteer. Volunteering helps individuals acquire teamwork, communication and interpersonal skills that are developed to a much lesser extent during university studies. Hrvoje therefore highlighted the importance of volunteering, which not only develops these skills but also opens many professional doors and creates lifelong connections.
In the second part of his lecture, Hrvoje presented the new design and features of Europass, the best-known platform for creating CVs and cover letters for jobs, scholarships, internships and similar opportunities. In light of major changes such as the green and digital transitions, the post-pandemic period and the digitalisation of learning, Hrvoje stressed the importance of knowing how to use Europass and prepare a CV. In addition to creating CVs and applications for jobs, scholarships and internships, the new Europass enables users to create an online profile accessible to European employers. Jobseekers can also browse job advertisements that match their profile and preferences. Hrvoje offered his assistance to anyone who needed further guidance.
Virtual Career Day
On Wednesday, 26 May 2021, a Virtual Career Day featuring graduates of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Osijek was held via the Faculty’s Zoom channel. As the Faculty’s study programmes are often stereotypically viewed solely through the lens of education, the aim was to bring together FFOS graduates from different study programmes who now work outside the education system.
During the one-hour event, six graduates shared their professional stories, summarised below.
Vladimir Bjelobrk holds degrees in Pedagogy and Croatian Language and Literature. He graduated from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, in 2011 after completing undergraduate and graduate programmes in Pedagogy and Croatian Language and Literature. He worked for several years as a school pedagogue. In 2018, he decided to focus on enhanced care and supervision of children and young people and became the head of such a programme. This move beyond the education system eventually led him to his current position as Director of the Centre for Autism in Osijek. He admitted that he was apprehensive about joining the Centre because he had to assume the most responsible role in an institution working with children with severe disabilities, something for which his studies had not prepared him. Audentes fortuna iuvat – fortune favours the bold – is the motto that guides Vladimir, and he courageously entered a field in which he still has much to learn.
Renata Forjan holds degrees in Hungarian and English Language and Literature. She graduated from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, in 2013. Before beginning her studies, she had worked at the Kopački Rit Nature Park since 2000 in tourism and promotion. She continued working there throughout her studies and remained there until the end of 2019. Although her path differed from that of most students because she worked before deciding to study, she did not see this as an obstacle. On the contrary, her professional experience helped her during her studies. After graduating, she became a court interpreter for Hungarian and English and started her own translation business. Since 2020, she has worked as Director of the Bilje – Kopački Rit Tourist Board, which has signed a cooperation agreement with the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Osijek to provide short-term internships for Translation Studies students.
Hrvoje Grganović holds a degree in German Language and Literature and completed the Translation Studies track at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Osijek. He repeatedly highlighted the financial and operational support he received from the Faculty, for which he remains grateful. In search of professional opportunities, Hrvoje moved to Brussels and attended various job interviews before eventually securing his current position as an external project and communications support officer.
Ana Jurić holds a degree in Psychology, which she completed at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Osijek in 2011. She has worked in the profession ever since. She spent five years working in the social welfare system, at SOS Children’s Village Ladimirevci and the Osijek Social Welfare Centre. For the past five years, she has worked with those in blue uniforms who protect us every day. More precisely, she works as a senior psychology adviser at the Osijek-Baranja Police Administration. She has also completed training in Gestalt psychotherapy. Ana admitted that it was initially very difficult to motivate colleagues to confide in her and seek professional help after stressful and traumatic experiences, particularly because policing has traditionally been associated with an “invulnerable” masculine identity. However, through patience and persistence, Ana built trust and succeeded in her role, and colleagues now also seek her help with personal problems.
Branislav Miličić graduated from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, in 2008 with degrees in History and Croatian Language and Literature. He also completed postgraduate studies in Church History at the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Osijek, where he teaches Church History on a part-time basis. In 2010, he enrolled in a postgraduate doctoral programme in the Humanities, specialising in History, at the University of Zadar. He has participated in several academic conferences. His research interests include church, economic and monetary history of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. He currently works as a curator at the Museum of Slavonia in Osijek, where he manages the Numismatic Department. He has organised several group exhibitions and one solo exhibition. He is a member of the Croatian Authors’ Comics Association and the FFOS Alumni Association and serves as President of the Local Democracy Agency Osijek.
Mirna Šostarko holds degrees in Pedagogy and Philosophy. She has worked in the civil society sector for the past four years. After gaining professional experience at the youth organisation Breza, she now works as a professional associate at DKolektiv and the Croatian Volunteer Development Centre. She is also a co-founder of Mladforma and the Generator Association. Her work focuses on promoting youth activism and critical thinking.
Mišo Tokić holds degrees in Philosophy and Croatian Language and Literature. After completing his graduate studies, he began working in 2011 at the Alfa publishing house as a professional associate in promotion and marketing and became a coordinator in 2016. The following year, he enrolled in the postgraduate programme Management in Culture, Art and Education at the Doctoral School in Osijek. Through various projects, he contributes to the development of the company and the local community. One such initiative was the Alfa Academy, which covers professional topics related to the teaching process. The project included more than 100 professional webinars delivered by 92 lecturers, attracted 31,225 visits and recorded 15,089 video views. Mišo has also delivered numerous lectures in cooperation with the Education and Teacher Training Agency at county-level and inter-county professional conferences. He is especially proud of projects developing materials for gifted students and students following adapted education programmes.
Panel Discussion: Youth Work – Pedagogy of Non-Formal Work with Young People
Cooperation between the Alumni Association of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Osijek and the Faculty’s Department of Pedagogy resulted in a panel discussion held via Zoom on 28 April 2021. The event focused on youth work and aimed to familiarise participants with the concept. To help the audience understand the field, the moderators hosted four professionals working in youth work and two young people who had participated in non-formal youth work programmes.
Youth work from a professional perspective was discussed by Irena Mikulić, Head of the Education Department at the PRONI Centre for Social Education; Nikica Torbica, Head of Društveni Atelje, co-founder of the Mladforma youth initiative and President of the Executive Board of the FFOS Alumni Association; Mirna Šostarko, also a co-founder of the Mladforma youth initiative and an associate at the Croatian Volunteer Development Centre; and Branimira Penić, a member of the Executive Board of the Croatian Youth Network. The perspective of young people who had participated in youth projects was presented by two outstanding young individuals: Iva Milas, a first-year student at a language grammar school, and Saša Milaković, a second-year student at the Faculty of Economics in Osijek. The discussion was complemented by a video produced by Iva Milas, which illustrated the benefits of participating in such projects. The panel was moderated by Ana Gorup and Bernarda Brekalo, students of Croatian Language and Literature and Pedagogy at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Osijek.
Family Strengthening Programme
On Wednesday, 3 March 2021, a lecture entitled Family Strengthening Programme – A Caring Home for Every Child was held. The lecture was organised online via Zoom, beginning at 5:30 p.m. and lasting one hour, and was delivered by Tihana Stapić.
The lecture aimed to raise awareness among a broad range of education professionals about the Family Strengthening Programme implemented by SOS Children’s Village Ladimirevci. The programme focuses on intensive support for vulnerable families, helping them overcome current life difficulties, strengthening parenting skills and supporting children and young people throughout their development, education and maturation. Its main objective is to prevent family breakdown and the removal of children from their families.
The Family Strengthening Programme in Osijek-Baranja County involves the social welfare centres of Osijek, Valpovo, Našice and Donji Miholjac, with financial support from Osijek-Baranja County and SOS Children’s Villages Croatia. The programme has been implemented in Osijek-Baranja County since 16 March 2016 and consists of a mobile team and a counselling centre. Its main objective is to enable children at risk of losing parental care to grow up in a caring family environment, prevent separation, support family reintegration and achieve self-sustainability. The mobile team provides educational, healthcare, social, psychological, parenting, financial and legal support, as well as assistance with improving housing and living conditions, food, recreation and clothing.
How to Become an eTwinner?
On Thursday, 25 February 2021, a lecture entitled How to Become an eTwinner was held. The lecture took place online via Zoom, beginning at 6 p.m. and lasting one hour.
The main aim of the lecture was to explain the eTwinning portal in greater detail and demonstrate how it can contribute to high-quality professional development. The lecture was divided into three parts, providing participants with both theoretical knowledge and substantial practical experience of using the eTwinning portal. The lecturers were primary school teachers from Ladimirevci Primary School, Ljiljana Marinjak, Marina Arambašić and Marija Bulut Lukačević, MSc, who had been using the eTwinning portal successfully for many years as part of their professional work.
The introductory part explained what eTwinning is and what the platform offers education professionals. The lecturer highlighted numerous advantages of working through eTwinning projects, including opportunities to cooperate with schools at local, national and European levels. Through the online platform and collaborative work, teachers can receive various recognitions and awards that may later contribute to their professional advancement. The introduction also presented the registration process step by step and explained how to begin using the platform.
In the second part, teacher Marina Arambašić provided a practical introduction to navigating the eTwinning online platform. By exploring the platform together in real time, participants learned how to create a profile and find other users and partners. They were introduced to the option of creating a personal portfolio and finding projects suited to their interests and abilities. Through a live demonstration of the portal, the lecturer also showed participants how they could monitor their personal progress on the platform.
In the final part of the online lecture, Marija Bulut Lukačević, MSc, introduced participants to TwinSpace. She explained that TwinSpace is the virtual environment in which eTwinning projects are developed. It is accessible only to teachers and students participating in the projects, although other stakeholders may also be invited. Participants were informed that TwinSpace enables users to organise their own projects with collaborative tools and online meetings. Through a live demonstration, the lecturer explained how to design pages and content, upload materials online and organise online meetings for project partners.
Exhibition “Donations – A Selection from the Collections of the Museum of Slavonia, 1994–2019” – A Virtual Tour of the Museum of Slavonia
The lecture and guided tour were held in the early evening of Thursday, 28 January 2021, ahead of Museum Night. It was the first virtual guided tour held at the Museum of Slavonia and was attended by several interested teachers and students. After a brief introduction and presentation of the host, moderator Ivan Lenard, PhD, gave the floor to the presenter. The host, Branislav Miličić, MSc, a curator at the Museum of Slavonia, began by introducing visitors to the work of a curator and explaining what happens to an object after it enters a museum. Participants learned about the different ways in which objects may arrive at a museum and what curators and museum technicians must do to transform them into museum exhibits.
The virtual tour of the exhibition “Donations – A Selection from the Collections of the Museum of Slavonia, 1994–2019” was led by our host, the Head of the Numismatic Department of the Museum of Slavonia in Osijek. He introduced participants to interesting objects that had entered the Museum as donations and, after professional processing, became museum objects ready for exhibition. These included donated books, old student meal vouchers from Josip Juraj Strossmayer University and even old mobile phones that had begun a new life as museum exhibits.
