A scientific conference entitled “The Column of Remembrance of the Roots of Vukovar” was held at the Library of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts on Monday (HAZU), 1 December 2025. The conference was organized by the Institute for Scientific Research and Artistic Work of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts (HAZU) in Vukovar. It brought together distinguished scholars from various disciplines who, through themes of identity, space, and heritage, shed light on the historical, cultural, and social foundations of Vukovar, confirming its importance as a city of scientific, cultural, and spiritual identity.

A special emphasis of the event was placed on strengthening cooperation among scientific and educational institutions in Vukovar. On this occasion, an Agreement on Scientific and Professional Cooperation was signed between the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts and the University of Applied Sciences “Lavoslav Ružička” in Vukovar. The Agreement was signed by the Secretary General of HAZU, Academician Dario Vretenar, and the Dean of the University, Assist. Prof. Željko Sudarić, PhD, with the participation of the President of the University’s Governing Council, Assist. Prof. Tomislav Čengić, MD, PhD, specialist in orthopedics and traumatology. The Agreement opens opportunities for joint research projects, scientific conferences, and the involvement of students in scientific work, thereby further strengthening the academic and research role of Vukovar.

As part of the program, a ceremonial signing of the Contract on the Operation of the HAZU Institute in Vukovar was also held. The contract was signed by Academician Dario Vretenar, Head of the Administrative Department for Education and Social Affairs of the Vukovar-Srijem County, Kristina Jukić, and Deputy Mayor of the City of Vukovar, Filip Sušac. This confirmed institutional support for the further development of the scientific and artistic activities of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts in Vukovar, as well as the strengthening of cooperation with the local community and higher education institutions.