Students initiated a dialogue on studying at the Academy of Applied Arts and the future of applied arts in Rijeka
ABOUT ACTIVITY
On May 24th, 2023, an informal meeting titled "Coffee with the Dean" was held at the Aquarium on the University campus in Rijeka, providing an opportunity for students to share their views and experiences with the dean of the Academy of Applied Arts (APURI). Presenting the results of their research on student attitudes and experiences, Ana Marija, Antea, Katarina, Klaudija, and Sarah opened the floor for a dialogue on the challenges and opportunities that arise during their studies at APURI.
Good communication within the Academy as a prerequisite for a trusting relationship
One of the emphasized topics during the meeting was the desire to improve communication at various levels within the Academy, including relationships between students and professors, as well as among professors themselves. The dean highlighted the importance of open communication with students and praised the courage of students in voicing their concerns.
The importance of the Student Council as a mediator between students and other institutions was discussed. However, it was noticed that students are not sufficiently motivated to participate in the Council, and its effectiveness in addressing crucial issues is not always satisfactory. The need for better information for students and the establishment of a Complaints Commission to address issues on an ad hoc basis was also debated.
Challenges in procuring equipment and promoting applied arts
One of the open questions concerned the mismatch between funding for faculty infrastructure and student needs with actual costs. "Waiting for funds" and bureaucratic processes were identified as causes of problems in equipment and material procurement. It was also noted that applied arts are perceived as an expensive field compared to other scientific disciplines. Organizing a special dialogue with representatives of Centers was proposed to address these issues, as well as matters related to student work.
The dean emphasized that there is no clear mechanism for addressing issues with professors based on student evaluations. Personal conversations are necessary to resolve problems, as online meetings are not satisfactory.
Furthermore, the dean pointed out that artists face challenges in the job market and the position of Applied Arts. The role of the community of applied artists and their demand in the job market is a question that needs to be addressed. In that regard, informal conversations with students, or structured dialogues, are seen as an opportunity to focus on restructuring the APURI program.
Conclusions: the students are satisfied, and the dean is optimistic.
Young students who conducted the research and initiated the dialogue with the dean of APURI (from left to right): Ana Marija, Katarina, Antea, Sarah, and Klaudija.
The activity is a part of the project "Youth Dialogue Pioneers in Southeast Europe (SEE)" conducted in collaboration with the Arka Foundation from Belgrade and the Sanchild Foundation from Sarajevo. The project is co-funded by the European Commission through the Erasmus+ program.
