It is with great pride and pleasure that we present this postage stamp commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Zagreb. On 13 November 1919, classes were held for the first time at the College of Veterinary Medicine, which was subsequently renamed the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine five years later. Ever since, during the first century of its existence, this has been the only institution of higher education in Croatia that has continuously educated doctors of veterinary medicine, thus shaping the history of the veterinary profession and practice in the region as well as building its reputation in the European educational space.
Reflections on the need to establish an independent college or faculty of veterinary medicine in Croatia, as well as attempts to persuade the authorities of the time in Vienna and Budapest of such a necessity, date back to the mid-19th century when many veterinarians graduated from European schools of veterinary medicine and initiated numerous activities that were important for the development of veterinary medicine in Croatia. A proactive stance was taken towards this issue, which was also discussed in various written publications. However, a college of veterinary medicine was not founded due to the lack of political support from the monarchy, which did not permit the educational independence of Croatia, but instead insisted on its cultural and economic dependence on Vienna and Budapest. It was not until the end of World War I and the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire that there was no longer any political opposition to the foundation of a school of veterinary medicine in Croatia. As early as 25 November 1918, Headmaster of the Public School of Farriery Eugen Podaubsky made a proposal for the establishment of the College of Veterinary Medicine in Zagreb at the meeting of the Croatian-Slavonian Veterinary Association Committee. This was followed by numerous activities pertaining to legal drafting for the purpose of establishing the College of Veterinary Medicine in the State of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes with the same substance as the Statutes of then colleges of veterinary medicine in the German states, where veterinary medicine was the most advanced.
The College of Veterinary Medicine in Zagreb finally started operation in the school year of 1919/1920, pursuant to a decree issued by Regent Alexander Karađorđević on 31 August 1919. Significant credit for the successful establishment of the College of Veterinary Medicine must be given to the veterinarians Eugen Podaubsky, Dr. Fran Gabrek and Stjepan Plasaj as well as the Commissioner for Education and Religions Dr. Milan Roje, who was also responsible for the foundation of other educational institutions in Zagreb.
The first semester at the College of Veterinary Medicine in Zagreb began on 26 September 1919, with 59 enrolled students from various parts of the former state, while the College was run by the Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy, Prof. Stanko Hondl, PhD. The College of Veterinary Medicine was allocated the two-storey building of the Public School of Farriery and the street-level courtyard in Savska Cesta street as the location for the clinics. The college was finally able to hold its first lecture in Anatomy, which was given by Jaroslav Sakar on 13 November 1919.
This is not only a story about the origins of this central institution of higher education in veterinary medicine, but also a reminder of its centennial path of development, importance and the efforts of many generations of professors and students, who have throughout the years confirmed the justification of investing in excellence, so that today we could become the leading institution for educating doctors of veterinary medicine, which we are able to serve and continue to advance. We want and have to maintain this position in the time to come by taking a proactive stance towards educating doctors of veterinary medicine and conducting scientific research, professional practice, life-long education and interinstitutional and international cooperation. We take great pride in the fact that our anniversary coincides with the 350th anniversary of the establishment of the University of Zagreb, the cradle of higher education and science in Croatia, whose constituent we are proud to be.
Professor Nenad Turk, PhD
Dean of the Faculty of
Veterinary Medicine at the
University of Zagreb
