Professor Marta Žuvić, Ph.D., Vice-Rector for Studies, Students and Quality Assurance of the University of Rijeka, participated in the ceremony marking the 34th anniversary of the signing of the original Magna Charta Universitatum, a document signed in Bologna in 1988 by 388 rectors in the presence of many political leaders and representatives of society, which defines the key principles that support the existence of universities, such as academic freedom and institutional autonomy.
Every year, the Magna Charta Observatory, an independent association of signatory universities, organizes an international conference to address current challenges in upholding the fundamental values and serving society responsibly and celebrates in a ceremony as more rectors sign the Magna Charta Universitatum. This year’s conference, with the title “Universities engaging with Society in Turbulent Times”, and the ceremony took place on 14, 15, and 16 September 2022 in Bologna.
The original document was revised in 2020 to reflect the changes in the world that universities are facing, and it was signed by more than 950 university leaders from 94 countries around the world, including the Rector of the University of Rijeka, Prof. Snježana Prijić Samaržija, Ph.D.
All signatory universities affirm that they are committed to preserving the key principles of the universities’ existence and work, and the Magna Charta enables them to respond more effectively to the challenges they face and anticipate and strengthen their universities’ capability to uphold fundamental values for the benefit of their students, society and their university communities. Every year, the number of signatory universities grows, and Magna Charta Universitatum continues to support the mission and work of universities around the world.