Professor Lazar Vrkatić (1960-2007), the founder and the first Faculty dean, was a true humanist, visionary and enthusiast, who left behind an enduring legacy as an author, scholar and creator of the mission and vision of our institution.

Born on 12 February 1960 in the Srem village of Berkasovo, he completed his primary and secondary education in Sremska Kamenica and Novi Sad, after which he enrolled at the studies of Philosophy and Sociology and at studies of History at the Faculty of Philosophy in Novi Sad. He graduated with honours in 1982 as first in his class. He then enrolled at postgraduate studies at the Faculty of Law University of Novi Sad, successfully completing his magister's thesis on the topic of Hegel's Philosophy of the State.

In 1994 he defended his doctoral dissertation on the topic of natural law and positive law. Two years later, in 1996, he successfully defended his second doctoral dissertation entitled The Concept of God in Hegel's Philosophy at the Faculty of Philosophy in Novi Sad, and obtained another PhD title.

Having PhDs in law and philosophy, he worked as a university professor at the Faculty of Philosophy and the Faculty of Law, University of Novi Sad. He published numerous articles and reviews in national and foreign scholarly journals, as well as several books from the fields of history, philosophy of law, practical philosophy and philosophy of religion, most notably: Philosophical Revelation of God, Ontological Stance of the Philosophy of Law, On Conservative Political Ideas, A Lesson Unlearned, Lectures in Practical Philosophy, and his seminal work The Concept and Essence of the Serbian Nation.

Professor Vrkatić was a member of several expert panels of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina Assembly, as well as of numerous governing bodies of Novi Sad University. In addition, he was a member of the Board of Directors at the Matica Srpska and a secretary at the Section for Philosophy and Law.

Professor Vrkatić had an exceptional and inspirational personality. He was a role model for his students and peers due to his original philosophical methods, his creative approach to scientific research, and his extraordinary level of academic professionalism and dedication. His opus represents an invaluable contribution to the contemporary philosophical thought in Serbia. He was committed to transferring a part of his vast knowledge to the many generations of students through his inspiring lectures. As a professor, he highly respected his students as equals and he was always ready to provide them with support, both during and outside of class.

After working in academia for many years, he decided to put his experience, knowledge and skills into creating the kind of higher education in which he personally believed. With courage and conviction, he set about organizing an independent higher education institution where students and their needs would be at the forefront. Professor Vrkatić’s efforts were rewarded with the founding of Faculty of Law and Business Studies which bears his name today. Our institution owes a professional and moral duty to Professor Vrkatić to provide independent, accessible, equitable and practical education that is useful to both our students and the community. We were fortunate to be initially assembled by a man who was able not only to transfer his visions and goals to others, but also inspire them to take action and achieve their goals. Professor Vrkatić laid the foundations of the Faculty of Law and Business Studies in the spirit of a friendly and creative exchange of ideas with his students and peers. Our institution continuously strives to bring people and ideas together in an atmosphere of welcome, creativity and improvement.

For more information, please visit: www.lazarvrkatic.org