Faculty of 
The Ambassador of the Republic of France in Croatia visited the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb on the 13th of March, 2025. His Excellency Mr. Fabien Fieschi, was accompanied by the Consul Mr. Emanuel Estevez, the Counselor for Cooperation and Cultural Activities and Director of the French Institute Mrs. Estelle Halimi, and Attaché for University and Scientific Cooperation, Mrs. Jasna Bas. The meeting was in the large lecture hall of the Main Building. His Excellency and the distinguished guests were welcomed by the Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Dr. Sc. Marko Samardžija, together with members of the Dean’s team and students who enrolled Integrated Undergraduate and Graduate University Study of Veterinary Medicine in English language, who are citizens of Republic of France.
The welcoming speech was given by Prof. Dr. Sc. Juraj Grizelj, in French, after which H. E. Mr. Fabien Fieschi addressed the Faculty’s management and the students. The Consul Mr. Emanuel Estevez, also spoke to the students, providing information on the registration procedure for voting in the elections at the French Embassy. Following the Director of the French Institute Mrs. Estelle Halimi speech, Prof. Dr. Sc. Marko Samardžija, Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, also shared a few words with the attendees.
After a brief coffee break, during which the students discussed some challenges related to French legislation concerning the possibility of undertaking professional practice, H. E. Mr. Fieschi, accompanied by his team, Vice-Dean Prof. Dr. Sc. Gordana Gregurić Gračner, Vice-Dean Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sc. Marko Pećin, Prof. Dr. Sc. Juraj Grizelj and students embarked on a short tour of the Faculty. The tour included visits to the Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, the Wild Animal Recovery Centre, the Department of Radiology, Ultrasound Diagnostics, and Physical Therapy, the Clinic for Surgery, Orthopedics, and Ophthalmology, and the Clinic for Reproduction and Obstetrics.
The pleasant socializing and conversation continued during lunch, which was organized in the common hall of the Deanery. The visit of the Ambassador of the Republic of France marks the first visit of an ambassador to the Faculty and to the students enrolled in the Integrated Undergraduate and Graduate University Studies of Veterinary Medicine in English language. This is not surprising, considering that students from France represent the largest group among those enrolled in the integrated study in English language. We hope that this visit will support students from France, both those currently studying and those who will come in the future, to better navigate their studies and life in Zagreb. Furthermore, we believe this visit will significantly contribute to the establishment and development of future cooperation between our Faculty and French institutions.
