H.E. Mr. Alan Bowman, Ambassador of Canada to the Republic of Croatia, visited the University of Rijeka Rectorate on Thursday, December 16, 2021, accompanied by Mrs. Ida Mahečić Bajović, Political, Public, and Media Relations Officer at the Embassy. He was welcomed by Prof. Snježana Prijić-Samaržija, Ph.D., University of Rijeka Rector, Prof. Marta Žuvić, Ph.D., Vice-Rector for Studies, Students and Quality Assurance, and Ms. Nina Kolaković, Head of International Relations.
Rector Prijić-Samaržija briefly presented the current activities of the University of Rijeka, emphasizing the importance of being a member of YUFE European University, as it increases the University’s role in shaping the European strategy for universities, and strengthens the position of the University of Rijeka on the map of young European universities.
Ambassador Bowman briefly presented his activities, stressing several key points in the Embassy’s work and mission, i.e. promoting gender equality, women empowerment, diversity and inclusion, creating resilient democracies, and making trade accessible to everyone, especially women. Madam Rector Prijić-Samaržija praised such activities, drawing a parallel with the University of Rijeka, the only university in Croatia with an approved Gender Equality Plan (GEP). Ambassador and Rector Prijić-Samaržija agreed it is necessary to promote values that make the society safer in the long run.
After a relaxed conversation, Ambassador Bowman signed in the Book of Honorary Guests.
During his stay in Rijeka, Ambassador Bowman visited the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences where he met with Assoc. Prof. Antonija Primorac, Ph.D., Head of the Department of English Language and Literature, and Senior Assistant Nikola Tutek, who, although never been to Canada, teaches Canadian literature. Ambassador also visited the Faculty of Economics and Business where he held a presentation on diversity and inclusion.
Ambassador Bowman served at the Embassy of Canada to Thailand in Bangkok from 1997 to 2000 and at the Permanent Mission of Canada to the United Nations in New York from 2006 to 2010. He first arrived in Croatia in 2020, and before his appointment in Croatia, he served as the minister-counselor and deputy head of mission at the Mission of Canada to the European Union in Brussels as well as the permanent observer of Canada to the Council of Europe.
