Marie-Charlotte Bolot, project manager from the Regional Office for Central and East Europe, spoke about the international network of universities at the invitation of Zagreb University and the French Embassy in Zagreb.
Agence universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF) was established in 1961 in Montreal. The multilateral organisation supports cooperation and solidarity among university institutions which are linked by the French language.
The Agency contributes to the development of higher education and science and it has 634 members, public and private universities, institutions of higher education and scientific institutions, Bolot said.
The Agency's most important activities, which could also benefit Zagreb University, include providing support for institutional university reforms and promoting student, teacher and researcher mobility.
The scientific council which decides on candidacies meets in May and December and Zagreb University will apply during one of those terms after it prepares the required documentation.
With more than 600 members, of which most are members of the International Organisation of Francophony, the Agency also has a network of some 350 French language departments at universities worldwide.
The International Francophone Day is celebrated every year on March 20. This year, from 16 to 26 March, music, film, literary and theatre events are being held throughout Croatia to mark that day.