ACCESS: Towards Equitable and Transparent Access to HE in Croatia

PROJECT CONSORTIUM:

Technische Universitaet Dresden / University of Zagreb / University of Rijeka / University of Dubrovnik / University of Zadar / University of Split / Juraj Dobrila University in Pula / Institute of Public Finance / Agency for Science and Higher Education / Universitas / International School for Social and Business Studies / Mälardalen University / Swedish Board for Study Support / University of Graz / Corvinus University of Budapest / Croatian Student Council / Institute for the Development of Education

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT:

The project will provide the basis for major national policy reforms in Croatia that will contribute to ensuring equitable and transparent access to higher education (HE) by removing financial obstacles to HE. The project will result in a policy framework that presents a concrete proposal of the new HE funding and student support system in Croatia which can be translated into concrete amendments of laws and regulations and which will be based on the principles of evidence-based policy making.

The limited data available in Croatia indicates that individuals from poorer backgrounds may be underrepresented in HE and that the current HE funding and student support system does not provide adequate mechanisms for ensuring equitable access to HE. In this context, financial obstacles are a key issue: Croatia has seen a rise both of tuition fee levels and of the proportion of students who pay fees, without having clear regulations regarding criteria for setting tuition levels or for public funding of universities, and with few universities offering tuition waivers based on social background of students. Moreover, the rise of students’ costs has not been followed by a review of the student support system, which despite significant expenditures, does not target support to those students most in need. This combination risks causing inequities in access to HE in Croatia.

MAIN OBJECTIVE:

Ensuring equal and transparent access to higher education in Croatia by removing financial obstacles, improving data and capacity building.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:

• Collect data on social status of students in Croatia to evaluate the effectiveness and of HE funding and student support policies and assess the capacity to enhance them
• Establish a policy framework to enhance the equity-dimension and transparency of the HE funding and student support system in Croatia, which can be translated into amendments of laws and regulations
• Establish staff positions at university level and national coordination group to implement and monitor measures for equitable and transparent access to HE

MAIN RESULTS OF THE PROJECT:

• Conducted 3 surveys about social status and financing of Croatian students
• Created and published a policy framework for enhancing the support system for students of lower socioeconomic status
• Established a national coordination group with employed staff for implementation of framework