Strengthening Doctoral Education Through Internationalization: Alliance4Life at the University of Zagreb Panel
On November 10, 2025, the University of Zagreb hosted a panel discussion titled The Processes of Internationalization of Higher Education Institutions through European University Alliances. The event brought together representatives of major European university alliances active in Croatia, alongside national stakeholders, to reflect on the future of international cooperation in higher education.
Among the distinguished speakers was Prof. Filip Sedlić, a long-term member of Alliance4Life and work package leader within the A4L_BRIDGE project, whose main focus is enhancing the quality of doctoral education. Representing the School of Medicine at the University of Zagreb, Prof. Sedlić highlighted Alliance4Life’s achievements and ongoing initiatives that are shaping the internationalization of doctoral studies.
Alliance4Life’s Contribution to Doctoral Education
In his presentation, Prof. Sedlić showcased how Alliance4Life, through the A4L_BRIDGE project, is driving innovation and excellence in doctoral training:
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International mentor and committee databases have been established, enabling doctoral candidates to benefit from the expertise of leading international scholars, several of whom are already actively engaged.
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Workshops for doctoral program leaders and young mentors, organized in cooperation with the Orpheus organization, are strengthening supervisory skills and fostering best practices in doctoral education.
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The Virtual Research Center, with seven departments now operational, provides a collaborative platform for researchers across Alliance4Life institutions.
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Through Open Call and Seed Fund opportunities, young researchers can access funding for smaller-scale projects, encouraging cross-institutional collaboration.
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An E-platform for education is expanding access to workshops and learning materials, supporting the internationalization of doctoral curricula.
Broader Impact at the University of Zagreb
Prof. Sedlić also emphasized the broader institutional impact of Alliance4Life at the University of Zagreb’s School of Medicine. Notable outcomes include:
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Initiation of the process to obtain the HR Excellence in Research Award, recognizing strong human resources management in research.
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Development of a White Paper on Combining Research, Teaching, and Medical Practice, offering guidance on balancing academic and clinical responsibilities.
Alliance4Life’s Role in European Cooperation
The panel discussion, which included representatives from alliances such as UNIC, SEA-EU, EU-CONEXUS, CONEXUS, YUFE, and EUNICoast, underscored the importance of alliances in advancing internationalization. Alliance4Life’s contribution, as presented by Prof. Sedlić, demonstrated how targeted initiatives in doctoral education can strengthen both institutional capacity and European collaboration.
