As part of the Erasmus+ program, Daliborka Mićanović, a representative of our higher education institution and Academic Organisation Specialist for the Hospitality Management, Gastronomy Management and Restaurant Management study programs, completed an Erasmus+ mobility in Croatia, visiting Opatija and Rijeka.
During her multi-day visit to Opatija and Rijeka, she met with ICEPS students completing their professional placements and held meetings with representatives of prominent educational institutions and partner organizations.
The mobility aimed to facilitate the exchange of experience, strengthen international cooperation and identify new opportunities for joint Erasmus+ projects, including student and staff mobility activities.
The following educational institutions and organizations were visited during the mobility: the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management of the University of Rijeka, PAR University of Applied Sciences in Rijeka, the Hospitality School Opatija, and the hotel company Liburnia Hotels & Villas, where one of our Restaurant Management students is completing a professional placement.
Cooperation with the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management
Meetings were held at the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management in Opatija with Dean Prof. Dr Marko Perić and Vice-Dean Prof. Dr Siniša Bogdan.
During the meetings, the study programs offered by both institutions were presented, and opportunities for cooperation through the Erasmus+ and CEEPUS programs were discussed. Particular emphasis was placed on the compatibility of the study programs and on opportunities for student and staff mobility between the two higher education institutions.
The Faculty’s representatives expressed their willingness to include new regional partners in their international projects. The concept of the Gastro Training Center, which ICEPS is developing as an innovative model of practice-based education, attracted particular interest.
One of the topics discussed was THI2026, an international scientific and professional congress dedicated to tourism, hospitality and the hotel industry, organized by the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management in cooperation with the US-based Rosen College of Hospitality Management. The congress brings together representatives of higher education institutions, researchers, lecturers, professionals and representatives of the tourism and hospitality industries, providing them with an opportunity to present academic and professional papers, exchange experience, and discuss current trends and challenges in the field.
The participants also discussed the shared challenges of motivating students to take part in international mobility activities. It became evident that higher education institutions in Serbia and Croatia have very similar experiences in this area.
In addition to the content of the meetings, the Faculty itself made a strong impression, with its modern facilities, renovated classrooms, library, reading room, spaces for independent student work, and a campus overlooking Kvarner Bay. Together, these features create an inspiring environment for studying and international cooperation.
It was particularly noted that the institution has significantly improved its infrastructure in recent years and continuously organizes international conferences and professional events, distinguishing itself as an important regional center for education in tourism and hospitality.
New Opportunities for Cooperation with PAR University of Applied Sciences
An important meeting was also held at PAR University of Applied Sciences in Rijeka with its Director, Prof. Dr Gordana Nikolić; Erasmus Coordinator Mia Maslać; Professional Placement Coordinator Monika Milošević; and Secretary General Marina Srdoč.
The discussions focused on developing long-term cooperation through the Erasmus+ program, organizing student and staff mobility activities, and participating jointly in Blended Intensive Programs, or BIPs.
PAR’s representatives expressed strong interest in the ICEPS Gastro Training Center, recognizing it as a valuable foundation for future joint activities.
Exchange of Experience with the Hospitality School Opatija
Daliborka Mićanović also visited the Hospitality School Opatija, where she met with the school’s Principal, Sibila Roth; the Manager of the Regional Center of Competence, Maja Staraj; and Ivona Lazić, a teacher of vocational subjects and practical training.
The school’s representatives shared their experience in implementing international projects that enabled the renovation of specialized classrooms and practical training facilities. Particular attention was devoted to opportunities for future cooperation with ICEPS. In this regard, the participants discussed joint involvement in international projects, staff mobility, and the development of practical training at the future ICEPS Gastro Training Center.
The participants also shared valuable experience from their work within the AEHT network, the European Association of Hotel and Tourism Schools, of which ICEPS has been a member for several years. They particularly emphasized the importance of international networking, the exchange of experience, and identifying partners for future projects.
A notable example of ICEPS’s successful participation in this network was the outstanding result achieved at the AEHT 2025 competition in Sweden, where our Restaurant Management student Milana Perišić won first place.
Visit to Students Completing Their Placements at Hotel Kvarner
The mobility also included a visit to Liburnia Hotels & Villas and Hotel Kvarner, the oldest hotel on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea, where one of our Restaurant Management students is completing a summer professional placement.
During meetings with Hotel Director Jelena Kostadinović-Tanev and the hotel group’s HR Manager, Davor Jakšić, the possibility of establishing an additional partnership between ICEPS and the hotel group was also discussed.
Practical Training as an Area for Future Cooperation
The stay in Croatia also provided opportunities for numerous informal discussions with representatives of partner institutions and employees in the tourism sector.
Through the exchange of experience, ICEPS gained a clearer insight into the current challenges facing Croatia’s hospitality industry, particularly the shortage of qualified workers and the need for high-quality vocational education.
For this reason, ICEPS’s experience in educating future professionals, together with the high quality of its practical training, was recognized as a significant area of potential for future cooperation.
In addition to the professional part of the program, Opatija also made a strong impression as a destination. Its distinctive Austro-Hungarian architecture, well-maintained parks and peaceful atmosphere contributed to the overall positive mobility experience.
From New Contacts to Concrete Plans
One of the most important outcomes of the mobility was the establishment of new contacts that will serve as a foundation for future Erasmus+ activities.
The greatest value of Erasmus+ mobility lies precisely in the opportunity to transform ideas into concrete plans. The discussions already generated initiatives that may lead to new partnerships, joint projects, and additional international opportunities for our students and staff.
At the conclusion of the mobility, Daliborka Mićanović emphasized that she would recommend participation in Erasmus+ programs to all colleagues:
“Although Serbia and Croatia are geographically close and share a similar mentality, mobility activities of this kind demonstrate how much we can learn from one another. Every visit brings a new idea and a new professional connection, while opening opportunities for future cooperation. For this reason, I believe that Erasmus+ represents one of the best opportunities for employees’ professional development and for improving the work of our institutions.”
This mobility once again confirmed that direct cooperation with European partners contributes to the development of new ideas, the enhancement of educational quality, and the creation of new opportunities for students and employees. These remain among the key objectives of our institution’s international activities.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the National Agency. Neither the European Union nor National Agency can be held responsible for them.
[SRB] Finansirano sredstvima Evropske unije. Izražena stanovišta predstavljaju isključivo stanovišta autora i ne odražavaju nužno stavove Evropske unije ili Fondacije Tempus. Ni pod kojim uslovima se Evropska unija ni davalac namenskih bespovratnih sredstava ne mogu smatrati odgovornima za njihovu sadržinu.