Rijeka Interdisciplinary Conference, 4 – 7 November 2015 Rijeka, Croatia

In higher education, although students are able to acquire crucial theoretical knowledge, there is insufficient support for student scientific research for which there is great interest and demand. The application of this theoretical basis is essential in order for students to acquire knowledge, competencies and skills necessary to excel in their fields and successfully communicate their knowledge to different groups of people. At the same time it is crucial to encourage a greater link between science and current events in society, as nowadays it is generally not significant enough. This results in the lack of knowledge about the scientific perspective on a number of issues among the general public as well as the almost total separation of the academic community from the rest of the population, which brings about many social issues. Apart from this, there is a very noticeable lack of interdisciplinary work essential for successful scientific research, since taking into consideration the perspective of different scientific disciplines is crucial for the adequate research of phenomena. There is therefore a need for the encouragement of cooperation and dialogue among students from different universities so that they can expand their own theoretical knowledge and get acquainted with other research approaches and methodologies. The aim of this project is to encourage interdisciplinary dialogue and knowledge exchange and in this way respond to the need for bringing together students of liberal arts and other sciences who will reflect on current processes affecting aspects of society such as education, communication, law, politics and art.

Although the term “knowledge society” is frequently used in public speech, students are insufficiently informed about its meaning and practical consequences as well as the current situation in Croatia as regards its goal of being an “knowledge society”. The educational system, as the most obvious element and tool for achieving an “knowledge society”, has come in for criticism for issues such as impractical primary education and failures in fostering responsible citizens. On a higher level, both an inconsistency between higher education and the job market and novices being inadequately prepared for independent work in their field are mentioned in research and public criticism. The European Parliament is trying to change this by providing funds for research and professional training. It is necessary that students themselves, as future highly-educated citizens and members of the academic community, explore together what it means to be an “knowledge society” and what influence the educational system has on this objective.

The importance of this topic varies from profession to profession. It can be observed from the perspective of historical changes, medical and technological advances, influence on social interaction and art, psychotherapy, ecology, cultural and linguistic changes and finally, on education. The topic of the conference will be dealt with through four sections – education, media, law and politics, culture and art.