EUROPEAN CONGRESS OF TECHNICAL FACULTY STUDENTS COMMENCES

( Editorial: --> 8054 ) ZAGREB, June 1 (Hina) - The European Congress of Technical Faculty Students, which has gathered 80 students from technical faculties of 20 European universities, commenced in Zagreb Monday. The Congress is being held under the patronage of the Croatian Government and the Ministry of Science and Technology, and in organisation with the Croatian Student Association of Mechanical Engineering Faculties. The aim of the Congress is a stronger inclusion of Croatian university students in European students' associations, especially in projects which include student exchanges, education, post-graduate studies and financing of student projects. The Congress intends to familiarise European students with the activities of Croatian universities, the Croatian economy and promotion of youth tourism in Croatia. During the six-day congress, working groups and workshops will discuss the uniform education of engineers in Europe, student practice and exchange, methods of writing student projects, as well as youth tourism in Croatia. Students will see the sights of Zagreb, visit the pharmaceutical company Pliva, the national parks of Plitvice Lakes and Krka, as well as Zadar on the central Adriatic coast. The Congress was opened by Deputy Premier Ljerka Mintas-Hodak. She said the Croatian Government involved itself in the Congress because it holds that such a congress is "a significant step in European integration". She especially emphasised the fact that the European Congress of Technical Faculty Students was organised by students themselves. (hina) jn bag/ha . 011707 MET jun 98