Marijan Šunjić (physicist)
Encyclopedia
Marijan Šunjić (born 5 April 1940 in Zagreb
) is a Croatian
physicist, university professor, former rector of the University of Zagreb
and a diplomat.
Šunjić went to the Classical Gymnasium in Zagreb
and later enrolled at the University of Zagreb Faculty of Science (Croatian
Prirodoslovno-matematički fakultet or PMF) where he graduated from the Physics department in 1963. In 1966 he earned his Master of Science degree at the Faculty of Science with a thesis in theoretical solid-state physics
and in 1970 the earned a doctorate
at the Imperial College London
. Between 1963 and 1970 he worked at the Ruđer Bošković Institute and in 1981 he became a professor at the Zagreb Faculty of Science. Between 1983 and 1989 he was the head of the department for postgraduate studies in physics at the Faculty of Science.
Šunjić held many posts in Croatian and international university associations and between 1990 and 1991 he held the post of assistant to the Croatian Science Minister Osman Muftić. Šunjić then served as the Rector of the University of Zagreb
for almost seven years between 25 April 1991 and 8 February 1998, and between 1998 and 2000 he was Croatia's ambassador to the Holy See
.
His main scientific interests are in the area of solid-state physics and he also wrote about the ethical aspects of science and the relationship between science and religion. He is a member of the Institute of Physics
in London and the American Institute of Physics
. Šunjić was also made honorary senator of the University of Maribor
and he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Mostar
.
Zagreb
Zagreb is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Croatia. It is in the northwest of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the Medvednica mountain. Zagreb lies at an elevation of approximately above sea level. According to the last official census, Zagreb's city...
) is a Croatian
Croats
Croats are a South Slavic ethnic group mostly living in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and nearby countries. There are around 4 million Croats living inside Croatia and up to 4.5 million throughout the rest of the world. Responding to political, social and economic pressure, many Croats have...
physicist, university professor, former rector of the University of Zagreb
University of Zagreb
The University of Zagreb is the biggest Croatian university and the oldest continuously operating university in the area covering Central Europe south of Vienna and all of Southeastern Europe...
and a diplomat.
Šunjić went to the Classical Gymnasium in Zagreb
Classical Gymnasium in Zagreb
The Classical Gymnasium in Zagreb is the home of the oldest high schools in Croatia and southeastern Europe. It was founded by the Society of Jesus in 1607 and hasn't stopped working since...
and later enrolled at the University of Zagreb Faculty of Science (Croatian
Croatian language
Croatian is the collective name for the standard language and dialects spoken by Croats, principally in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Serbian province of Vojvodina and other neighbouring countries...
Prirodoslovno-matematički fakultet or PMF) where he graduated from the Physics department in 1963. In 1966 he earned his Master of Science degree at the Faculty of Science with a thesis in theoretical solid-state physics
Solid-state physics
Solid-state physics is the study of rigid matter, or solids, through methods such as quantum mechanics, crystallography, electromagnetism, and metallurgy. It is the largest branch of condensed matter physics. Solid-state physics studies how the large-scale properties of solid materials result from...
and in 1970 the earned a doctorate
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
at the Imperial College London
Imperial College London
Imperial College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom, specialising in science, engineering, business and medicine...
. Between 1963 and 1970 he worked at the Ruđer Bošković Institute and in 1981 he became a professor at the Zagreb Faculty of Science. Between 1983 and 1989 he was the head of the department for postgraduate studies in physics at the Faculty of Science.
Šunjić held many posts in Croatian and international university associations and between 1990 and 1991 he held the post of assistant to the Croatian Science Minister Osman Muftić. Šunjić then served as the Rector of the University of Zagreb
University of Zagreb
The University of Zagreb is the biggest Croatian university and the oldest continuously operating university in the area covering Central Europe south of Vienna and all of Southeastern Europe...
for almost seven years between 25 April 1991 and 8 February 1998, and between 1998 and 2000 he was Croatia's ambassador to the Holy See
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
.
His main scientific interests are in the area of solid-state physics and he also wrote about the ethical aspects of science and the relationship between science and religion. He is a member of the Institute of Physics
Institute of Physics
The Institute of Physics is a scientific charity devoted to increasing the practice, understanding and application of physics. It has a worldwide membership of around 40,000....
in London and the American Institute of Physics
American Institute of Physics
The American Institute of Physics promotes science, the profession of physics, publishes physics journals, and produces publications for scientific and engineering societies. The AIP is made up of various member societies...
. Šunjić was also made honorary senator of the University of Maribor
University of Maribor
The University of Maribor is the second university in Slovenia, established in 1975. It currently has 17 faculties.-History:The university's roots reach back to 1859, when a theological seminary was established with the encouragement of Maribor bishop and patriot Anton Martin Slomšek...
and he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Mostar
University of Mostar
The University of Mostar is the only Croatian language university in Bosnia and Herzegovina.Roots of University of Mostar date back to 1895 when the Franciscan theological school was established. In 1950 Higher teacher-training school started with its work in Mostar...
.
External links
- Biography at the University of ZagrebUniversity of ZagrebThe University of Zagreb is the biggest Croatian university and the oldest continuously operating university in the area covering Central Europe south of Vienna and all of Southeastern Europe...
website - Biography at the University of Zagreb Faculty of Science Physics Library