From 30 May to 1 June, the picturesque town of Poreč, Croatia, hosted the 2nd International Scientific Conference for a Healthy Academic Society. The event was organised by the Croatian Academic Sports Federation and the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts in cooperation with partners from various sectors. The aim of the conference was the promotion of a healthy lifestyle with a focus on sport and physical activity, with health as the central theme.

Innovations in sports technology, sports injuries, dual careers, psychological and sociological aspects of student sports and sustainable sports programmes were presented over the three days. 41 comprehensive papers were presented.

Vlasta Brozičević, an expert in Physical Medicine, Rehabilitation and Rheumatology, Associate Professor Alessandro Bortolotti and cardiologist Viktor Peršić were among those invited to speak.

However, the presentation by FISU's Director of Development and Healthy Campus, Fernando Parente, stood out with his talk: "Facing Gaps and Working Together for Better University Sports". Parente discussed how universities can better engage campus communities through the Healthy Campus Programme. Working with national university associations is essential.

"Sports in public universities, yes or no?" was a point of debate, as was the importance of systematically enabling additional investment in university sports infrastructure and funding for academic sports. With better resources and tools, everything becomes easier and simpler. The results are always better.

Government authorities from Croatia, academics from Split, Dubrovnik, Zagreb, Čakovec... The conference brought together experts in academic life and the infrastructure really needed to grow.

As well as presentations and debates, Poreč also hosted the largest ever finals of the national student sports competitions, the UniSport Finals, with over 1,300 students from nineteen Croatian universities and polytechnics. The event featured twelve sports at eight venues. These included futsal, basketball, volleyball, handball, football, tennis, table tennis, badminton, beach volleyball, 3x3 basketball, chess and e-sports.

Toni Gamulin, first vice-president of the Croatian Academic Sports Federation, expressed his satisfaction with the unprecedented number of participants. He also emphasised the importance of securing the hosting rights for the European University Games in Split in 2028, with the aim of promoting Croatian academic sport both nationally and internationally. The University of Zagreb excelled, winning 22 out of 26 disciplines and a total of 25 medals.