Our development in this field has been determined by the heritage of the former system in which natural and technical sciences were more developed than other research fields. The result of this situation is that natural and technical sciences match the European standards. Quality, relevance and international cooperation are among priorities of the Croatian higher education policy. Quality assessment and assurance of the Croatian system are performed by the National Council for Higher Education, an independent body composed of eighteen members nominated by the Rectors Conference and higher education institutions, and appointed by the Parliament of the Republic of Croatia. The Ministry of Science and Technology creates its policy on the findings of the National Council for Higher Education and the National Scientific Research Council, an independent body responsible for the preparation of the National Scientific Research Program.
International cooperation is seen as one of the tools for ensuring quality of teaching and research.
The Higher Education Act from 1996 determines the organization of higher education institutions. Legislative Reform Program, the Ministry of Science and Technology has implemented a separation of university courses of study from professional courses of study. The Ministry of Science and Technology implemented the separation of university and professional courses of study taking into consideration previous scientific approach to the higher education programs, as well as the need for shorter, professional courses of study which could offer practice-oriented professional knowledge. Croatian higher education institutions currently employ 1.133 full professors and 801 associate professors. Duration of courses of study is determined on the basis of the curriculum s complexity and the time necessary for its mastering.