Dragan Primorac (Croatia)

Dragan Primorac Dedication to the Martial Arts

(born June 7, 1965) is a university professor, pediatrician, geneticist and forensic science expert who became a politician as a member of Croatian Government, serving as the Minister of Science, Education and Sports between 2003 and 2009.

Early life and career

Primorac was born in Banja Luka (Bosnia and Herzegovina) but his family soon moved to Split where he graduated from elementary and high schoo  While he was living in Split he was trained in soccer clubs “Split”, “Hajduk” and “Solin”, as well as track and field in the athletic club “Split 80” (today Hajduk) On November 17. 1987 he founded the Tae kwon do club “Kocunar” and since then he is president of the club  Shortly thereafter, Robert Prusac, vicepresident and Mile Mamic, second vicepresident joined the club. Since 1987 more than 6000 participants have been trained in the Club, and many of them won a number of medals in national and international competitions.

Career in science and education

Primorac is professor of pediatric medicine at University of Split and University of Osijek, Croatia; professor of forensic sciences at University of Split, Croatia; adjunct assistant professor of forensic sciences at The Pennsylvania State University, USA and adjunct associate professor of forensic sciences at the University of New Haven, USA. Currently, Primorac is a fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Science, a member of the American Society of Human Genetics, Croatian Society of Human Genetics, and the Croatian Society for Osteogenesis Imperfecta.

Politics

Primorac entered the first government of Ivo Sanader in December 2003. Primorac's commitment to build a society based on knowledge and to acknowledge the key role of education and science has been reflected in a growing investment into the education and science system, with the budget increase between 2004 and 2009 totaling 56%.
Within the area of science project for the return of Croatian scientists from abroad was started and since 2004 over 120 scientists have returned to Croatia. The programme Unity through Knowledge yielded approximately 40 competitive research projects with returnee and Diaspora (Croatian professionals working abroad) participation.
On June 16, 2009, weekly magazine Nacional announced that “Primorac will soon become the first minister in the history of Croatia to resign at the peak of his political career
The award for numerous efforts made in the Croatian educational system is the recent survey of the famous Newsweek which rated Croatia 22nd in education ahead of 12 countries from the G20 group.

Humanitarian work

Primorac has participated in numerous humanitarian activities all around the world. Currently he is president of Charity Foundation Cro Unum  and he is member of Advisory Board of American International Relief Organization, Bridge Foundation