The new campus of the University of Zadar last night became a meeting place for researchers, teachers, parents, pupils, and all those wishing to contribute to the latest edition of the European Researchers’ Night, which takes place simultaneously across Europe. This year in Zadar, a record one hundred activities were organised, and the event was attended by several thousand people from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., making it the largest in Croatia.
This year’s event was notable for its many activities and accompanying programmes. The Rector of the University of Zadar, Prof. Josip Faričić, Ph.D., the Mayor of Zadar, Šime Erlić, and County Prefect Josip Bilaver planted two carob trees in front of the new Student Dormitory as symbols of the Mediterranean, the union of tradition and modernity, and the greening of urban spaces and environmental protection—an endeavour in which they will continue to participate together.
“I think it is excellent that science is popularised in this way, brought closer to citizens, especially children, and that it sparks their interest at a time when technology dominates. The City of Zadar supports such initiatives and will continue to do so as a partner. It is in our interest that the city develops as a place suitable for investment, research, and innovation, and we want the University to build a STEM building and increasingly move in that direction. What is also important is greening the city districts, which the University of Zadar has also joined. Rector Faričić and I agreed to make this New Campus even greener, with trees planted in the large parking area to avoid heat islands,” said Mayor Erlić.
This year’s programme featured experiments, games, lectures, exhibitions, and interactive workshops from the natural and technical sciences, gastronomy, ecology, and culture. There was great interest in the associations presenting themselves for the first time, such as the Croatian Auto Club, which brought a vehicle rollover simulator, as well as the Zadar Public Fire Brigade, the Zadar Police Department, and the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia. A spectacular moment was the flyover by the aerobatic group Wings of Storm, which performed part of their acrobatics and painted the sky with different symbols.
“This year we had a very diverse programme, with 100 different activities involving institutions that are the main providers of education—for example, kindergartens, primary and secondary schools—as well as various organisations that bring people together, such as those dedicated to astronomy, mathematics, and STEM fields in general. Because of this ongoing cooperation, based on applying scientific and technological innovations in activities aimed at ensuring the normal lives of our citizens—in terms of safety, environmental protection, and cultural heritage—this year we were joined by the police, firefighters, and aviation,” said Rector Faričić.
Out of a hundred activities it is hard to single some out, but worth mentioning are the exploration of underwater forests, the educational game A Drop of Life, the malacology workshop by the Diving Club “Sveti Roko,” a demonstration of kendo skills In a Healthy Body, a Healthy Samurai, the world of geospatial technologies with drones, thermal cameras, and other sophisticated devices, the preschool robot “Robot Roomie,” dactyloscopy, demonstrations of four-stroke Otto, Diesel, and hybrid engines, and the construction of the Zero City. Naturally, the greatest interest was traditionally directed at the tasting event prepared by students of the Hotel, Tourism and Hospitality School and the Biograd Secondary School, as well as at the stand of the Zadar Astronomical Association, where telescopes allowed visitors to observe the starry sky. Visitors also had the opportunity to see the archaeological site of a Roman necropolis on the New Campus, guided by the head of research, Filipa Jurković Pešić.
A raffle was organised for visitors, with a bicycle as the main prize, and the University of Zadar extends its gratitude to all sponsors who made it possible.
Once again, the event showed how attractive science becomes when presented in an interactive and accessible way.