Ministry of Science, Education and Youth

Overview

The Ministry of Science, Education and Youth of the Republic of Croatia (Croatian: Ministarstvo znanosti, obrazovanja i mladih, MZO) is the central government body responsible for the development and implementation of policies in the fields of education, science, technology and youth. Its mission encompasses overseeing all levels of education, from early childhood to higher education, fostering scientific research and innovation and supporting youth development initiatives. The ministry plays a pivotal role in shaping Croatia's educational landscape and aligning it with European and international standards.

History and Legal Framework

The current form of the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth was established in 2003 through the merger of the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Education and Sports. This restructuring aimed to streamline governance and enhance the coherence of policies across science, education and sports sectors. The ministry operates under the legal framework set by the Croatian government and is guided by national strategies and reforms to modernize the education system and promote scientific advancement.

Mission, Vision and Objectives in Higher Education

The ministry's mission is to create a globally competitive, high-quality, accessible, inclusive and sustainable education system that meets the economic and social needs of Croatia. In higher education, the ministry focuses on:

• Modernizing curricula and institutional frameworks to align with European Higher Education Area (EHEA) standards.
• Enhancing research capacity and innovation through strategic funding and policy support.
• Promoting lifelong learning and the development of competencies relevant to the labor market.
• Ensuring equitable access to education for all demographic groups.

These objectives are pursued through national strategies, legislative reforms and collaboration with academic institutions and international partners.

Governance, Structure and Independence

The Ministry operates under the Croatian government and is headquartered in Zagreb. It comprises several departments, including the Department for Education and Care and the Department for Higher Education. These departments are responsible for administrative tasks across primary, secondary and tertiary education levels. The ministry's governance structure ensures a centralized approach to policy implementation, while also allowing for decentralized functions performed by local educational institutions. This dual approach aims to balance national coherence with local responsiveness in the education system.

Accreditation and Quality Evaluation in Higher Education

The Agency for Science and Higher Education (ASHE) is the central body responsible for external quality assurance in Croatia's higher education and scientific sectors. Established as an independent public authority, ASHE conducts evaluations and accredits higher education institutions and study programs based on uniform criteria. This centralized system, introduced by the Act on Quality Assurance in Science and Higher Education (Official Gazette 151/2022), aims to ensure consistent quality standards across both public and private institutions. ASHE's activities include:

• Implementing external evaluation procedures for higher education institutions and scientific institutes.
• Conducting evaluations of program agreements and recognition of foreign qualifications.
• Encouraging research on quality assurance systems and providing training for evaluation experts.
• Collecting and processing data on higher education and scientific activities.
• Participating in international quality assurance networks and conducting evaluations abroad.

These efforts contribute to the continuous improvement of Croatia's higher education system and its integration into the European Higher Education Area.

International Cooperation and Network Memberships

The Ministry of Science, Education and Youth actively engages in international cooperation through bilateral agreements, participation in European Union education programs and membership in global networks. Key aspects of its international engagement include:

• Establishing inter-institutional agreements with various countries to facilitate academic and research collaboration.
• Participating in EU-funded initiatives such as Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe, which support student mobility, research partnerships and innovation.
• Collaborating with international organizations like the European Commission and UNESCO to align Croatian education and research policies with global standards.
• Contributing to the development of European and international education and research policies through active participation in relevant forums and working groups.

These international partnerships enhance the quality and global competitiveness of Croatia's education and research sectors.

Current and Future Impact on Higher Education

Looking ahead, the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth aims to further modernize Croatia's higher education system by:

• Implementing the reforms outlined in the Act on Higher Education and Scientific Activity (Official Gazette 119/22), which focuses on strengthening institutional capacities and harmonizing with European standards.
• Promoting digitalization and innovation in teaching and learning to prepare students for the challenges of the digital economy.
• Enhancing the employability of graduates through closer alignment of academic programs with labor market needs.
• Fostering a culture of research excellence and interdisciplinary collaboration to address societal challenges.

These initiatives are expected to position Croatia's higher education system as a dynamic and integral part of the European and global knowledge ecosystem.

Summary

The Ministry of Science, Education and Youth of Croatia plays a central role in shaping the nation's education and research landscapes. Through strategic policies, legislative reforms and international collaborations, the ministry strives to create an inclusive, high-quality and globally competitive education system. Its efforts in modernizing higher education, ensuring quality assurance and fostering international partnerships contribute to the development of a knowledge-based society in Croatia.

FAQs

• What is the role of the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth in Croatia?
  The ministry oversees all levels of education and scientific research in Croatia, developing policies, implementing reforms and ensuring quality standards across the education system.
• How does the Ministry support higher education institutions?
  The ministry provides funding, develops strategic plans and collaborates with institutions to enhance the quality and relevance of higher education programs.
• What is the Agency for Science and Higher Education?
  ASHE is an independent public authority responsible for external quality assurance in Croatia's higher education and scientific sectors, including accreditation and evaluations.
• How does Croatia engage in international education cooperation?
  Through bilateral agreements, participation in EU programs like Erasmus+ and membership in global networks, Croatia fosters academic and research collaborations worldwide.
• What are the future goals of the Ministry for higher education?
  The ministry aims to modernize the education system by implementing reforms, promoting digitalization, enhancing employability and fostering research excellence.

Organization Name

Ministry of Science, Education and Youth
Ministarstvo znanosti, obrazovanja i mladih

Acronym

MZOM

Year of Establishment

2016

Control Type

Public

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

National

Recognized by

n.a.

Affiliations or Memberships

n.a.

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

n.a.

Address

Trg hrvatskih velikana 6
Zagreb
10000 Grad Zagreb Croatia

Phone

+385 (1) 456 9000

Fax

+385 (1) 461 7962

n.a.

Official Social Media Channels

Facebook

Not available

X (Twitter)

Not available

LinkedIn

Not available

YouTube

Not available

Instagram

Not available

Wikipedia Article

Not available

Unlock your University's potential: spotlight your Institution on UniRank for leads, local recognition and branding. Enquiry now to feature your University here.

Explore other Croatian higher education-related organizations and authorities.

Find top-ranked Universities in Croatia.

Search for courses and scholarships with the uniRank World Universities Search Engine.