On 29 September 2026, at 10:00 a.m., in the Strossmayer Hall, the Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek hosted the kick-off conference of the project “Optimisation of Professional Practice for the Development of Students’ Competencies and Career Guidance to Meet the Needs of the Modern Healthcare System”, project code SF.2.4.06.08.0021. The project is led by the Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek.
The project leader, Prof. Martina Smolić, PhD, delivered a presentation introducing the project, its objectives, planned activities, and expected outcomes. The presentation also highlighted the roles of students, employers, and other stakeholders in project implementation, emphasising the importance of their involvement in developing high-quality professional practice opportunities and aligning education with the needs of the modern healthcare system.
The project aims to enhance students’ employability through improved professional practice, the development of practical and professional competencies, and more systematic career guidance and support. Students of dental medicine, nursing, and physiotherapy will particularly benefit from the project, which seeks to strengthen the connection between theoretical knowledge and practical experience in real working environments, thereby facilitating the transition from education to employment.
Throughout the project implementation period, professional practice placements with employers will be organised, while their quality will be systematically monitored and evaluated. Project activities will also include career counselling for students, the development and expansion of the alumni network, and the strengthening of the Faculty’s capacities for preparing and implementing professional practice programmes. These activities aim to improve student support, enhance mentoring capacities, and establish sustainable cooperation between the Faculty, students, and employers.
The kick-off conference provided an opportunity to introduce the project to participants and highlight its contribution to the quality of education for future healthcare professionals. It also presented upcoming activities through which the Faculty aims to further strengthen cooperation with the business sector, healthcare institutions, and other employers, while providing students with better opportunities to gain practical experience and develop professional competencies.
The project will run for 36 months, from 24 June 2026 to 24 June 2029. The total project value is EUR 304,610.23, of which EUR 298,518.02 is provided through non-repayable grants, while EUR 6,092.21 represents the Faculty’s own co-financing contribution.
The project is co-funded by the European Union through the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), under the Effective Human Resources Programme 2021–2027, within the framework of the call “Enhancing Employability through Professional Practice in Higher Education”.
