ZAGREB: GRADUATION CEREMONY HELD AT VERN POLYTECHNIC

ZAGREB, Dec 12 (Hina) - More than 100 graduates of the third and second generations of two and three-year business studies at VERN Polytechnic in Zagreb received diplomas at a ceremony on Friday, which was also attended by Doris Pack, co-ordinator of the European Parliament's committee for education, media, sports, culture and youth. Pack was also awarded the first Charter of Gratitude of VERN Polytechnic. #L# Since 2000, when this first private institution of higher education with a permanent operation licence of the Science and Technology Ministry was founded, Ms. Pack has been supporting its work, said the head of the Polytechnic's board of directors, Branko Stefanovic. In her speech, Pack warned that the European Union was an association which was difficult to access, but she voiced confidence that motivated young people could do that for Croatia. Aware that Croatia recently went through a difficult period, Pack believes that one can still face the future with great confidence. However, she believes that structures of democracy in Croatia are still frail, but that democracy cannot be introduced from the outside. Democracy is a permanent, long and windy process, she said, calling on attending graduates to always and everywhere actively advocate democratic processes and not give up if they do not achieve the expected results right away. Science and Technology Minister Gvozden Flego said that polytechnic studies, especially private schools, were the most dynamic part of the system of higher education in Croatia. VERN dean Mijo Vrhovski said that the Institute for Business Research had been placing VERN for the third consecutive year among one percent of the most successful business subjects in Croatia and that 40 percent of enrolled students graduated on time, i.e. after three years, which he said was similar to the average at the most prestigious institutions of higher education in the EU. (hina) rml sb