International staff week University of Zagreb

Staff Week, organized by the Confucius Institute at the University of Zagreb is an annual event designed to bring together faculty and administrative staff from the University of Zagreb and partner institutions around the world.

Connect. Learn. Innovate. – Join Our Staff Week

ISW is an opportunity to network, share best practices, and engage in professional development activities. During the week, participants take part in workshops, cultural experiences, and collaborative discussions that promote innovation in teaching, research, and university services.

Due to the organization being led by the Confucius Institute at the University of Zagreb, participants have the unique opportunity to experience elements of Chinese language and culture. The Confucius Institute is dedicated to promoting Chinese language learning and fostering cultural exchange, serving as an important bridge between Croatia and China.

Through specially organised workshops and participation in a well-known Chinese festival, attendees can gain insight into Chinese traditions, customs, and contemporary cultural life. This intercultural dimension enriches the program by allowing participants to experience both Croatian and Chinese culture within the same international framework.

Program highlights:

During Staff Week, participants can expect a balanced combination of professional and cultural activities, carefully designed to foster both academic exchange and intercultural understanding:

Thematic workshops led by experts
Presentations of institutional best practices
Networking sessions with colleagues from various countries
Cultural programme and an excursion showcasing Croatian heritage
Social events designed to foster informal connections

Who can participate?

Staff Week is open to:

Academic staff (professors, lecturers, researchers)
Administrative staff (international relations officers, student services staff, project managers, etc.)
Representatives of partner universities within Erasmus+ or other bilateral agreements

Participants are expected to have a good knowledge of English language, as all activities are conducted in English.

3rd International Staff Week

The third International Staff Week, organized by the Confucius Institute of the University of Zagreb, will be held between 9th and the 13th of June 2026. It will place Event Management at the center of its program, exploring how events can serve as powerful platforms for cultural dialogue, institutional visibility, and international cooperation.

Participants will engage in expert lectures, interactive workshops, and practical sessions focused on planning, communication, and team management in multicultural settings.

The programme includes a study visit and a cultural event showcasing Croatian heritage, alongside hands-on experience of Chinese culture through workshops and participation in the Dragon Boat Festival.

By combining these cultural perspectives, the International Staff Week highlights the importance of intercultural collaboration in event design and delivery. In addition, it offers a dynamic learning experience where professional development meets cultural exchange.

Application form is open until 20th of April 2026 and you can apply here.

2nd International Staff Week

International Staff Week, that was held between 3rd and 7th of June 2025, was organized as a five-day professional development program aimed at strengthening global competencies in higher education, with a particular focus on intercultural communication, and multicultural team management.

Bridging cultures: Advancing global competence in academia

DAY 1

The program began with registration and a welcome meeting, followed by icebreaker activities and a coffee networking session. Participants then joined a short Croatian language course, “Don’t Get Lost,” before continuing after lunch with a guided city tour.

DAY 2

The session explored multicultural team management and cultural differences between China and Croatia, followed by a networking break and an interactive discussion on intercultural communication. The program concluded with a visit to the Ethnographic Museum Zagreb.

DAY 3

The day included a trip to Plitvice Lakes National Park, featuring a guided tour of the Upper or Lower Lakes, followed by lunch within the park. An optional visit to Karlovac was offered later in the day.

DAY 4

The session encouraged participants to embrace, adapt, and enjoy the experience of a new culture, followed by a workshop on effective communication in a multicultural world. The afternoon included a cultural activity and the day concluded with a group dinner.

DAY 5

The day featured participation in the Dragon Boat Festival, where attendees took part in activities and received certificates. The program concluded with lunch by the lake.

MORE INFROMATION

Additional information about the program and activities are available on the official website of the University of Zagreb

unizg.hr >>

Zagreb is an ideal destination for an International Staff Week because it combines a rich cultural heritage with a dynamic academic environment. Participants have the opportunity to engage in high-quality workshops and professional exchanges while experiencing a welcoming and accessible European capital. The city offers a unique blend of Central European charm, historical architecture, and modern university life, creating an inspiring setting for learning and networking.

The inclusion of Croatian cultural activities provides deeper insight into local traditions and heritage, enhancing intercultural understanding. At the same time, the involvement of the Confucius Institute introduces a distinctive Chinese cultural dimension, making Zagreb a rare place where East and West meet within one programme.

Ultimately, choosing Zagreb means gaining not only professional knowledge but also a meaningful intercultural experience that extends beyond the classroom.

Happy participants

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Here you can watch a video from our Dragon Boat Festival 2024

1st International Staff Week

The Confucius Institute at the University of Zagreb organized an International Staff Week on Event Management from June 11 to June 15, 2024, bringing together participants from 15 European countries. Over five days, attendees took part in lectures, workshops, and social activities, developing skills in communication, organization, and project management through the Erasmus+ program.

The program also included field visits, such as trips to Trakošćan Castle and Varaždin, offering practical insights into event organization. Special emphasis was placed on teamwork, marketing strategies, and the use of modern tools, including artificial intelligence in project management. The week concluded with a Dragon Boat Race at Jarun, a certificate ceremony, and strengthened international collaboration among universities.

Our success, from the people who joined in

Our participants share their experiences of learning, collaboration, and professional growth. Authentic insights and genuine reflections that speak to the quality and impact of our International Staff Weeks.

Our host was very well prepared and had an exceptional program organized for us. It is not an easy task to create an ideal agenda for 23 foreigners from 15 different countries and for 5 days. To me it was as close to the ideal as it can get. The group spirit and vibe were something I have never experienced before, on Staff Weeks. Somehow, we managed to become as one team, and no one was left out - this is how it should be every time!

Gözell Haug

Tartu University, Estonia

If the fate of the world depended on organizing enriching events and creating a friendly atmosphere, we would have achieved world peace by now with the Confucius institute staff on our side! I couldn't be more pleased with my experience during Staff Week, and I look forward to many more fruitful conversations and collaborations with colleagues from around the world!

Natalia Przytarska

Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Poland

My personal impressions were very positive, regarding the city, the University and the person in charge of the staff week. I think this shows the professional and efficient way everything was managed during the week and the commitment of all the staff and the lectures we had last week. It was a unique and excellent opportunity from many different perspectives. Thanks again, University of Zagreb and Confucius Institute.

Carla Ferreira

University of Porto, Portugal

Not only the presenters were top in their fields, but also the social activities were and ideal setting for networking and get to know each other. Engaging presenters, useful tips, proactive sessions and a wide range of cultural and social activities, the Confucius Institute Staff Week is one of a kind.

Roberto de Gea Cánovas

Universtiy of Murcia, Spain

This STW fostered a strong sense of togetherness and fellowship. Participants were highly engaged, attending all activities with genuine interest. Despite the challenge of inspiring such a diverse and experienced group, it ultimately created a shared spirit of participation and enthusiasm.

Antonio Serrano

University of Granada, Spain

A perfectly crafted program full of interesting lectures and great afternoon activities only underscores what I am writing here. A great cross-country team has been formed, which I hope will meet somewhere in the future. Thank you very much for the opportunity to participate in such a well managed staff training week.

Richard Šefl

University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Czech Republic

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