Rich History of Educating ICT Professionals and Enhancing Entrepreneurial Capacities
The former Higher School of Economics in Varaždin laid the foundation for today's Faculty of Organization and Informatics. Housed in a historic 17th-century building in the center of Varaždin, FOI admitted its first students in the academic year 1962/63, creating experts for independently organizing economic affairs in industry and public administration. Under the guidance of dedicated teachers, exceptional scientists, and talented, persistent students, FOI achieved excellence both domestically and internationally. Today, it operates in three academic spaces in Varaždin and modernly equipped facilities in Zagreb and Sisak. From typing on typewriters to advanced teaching methods on modern computer equipment, FOI has risen to become a reputable higher education institution, currently hosting around 2800 students.
Great Achievements of the Faculty and Plans for the Future
Dean of the Faculty of Organization and Informatics, Full Prof. Marina Klačmer Čalopa, Ph.D. congratulated all students, teachers, and staff on the Faculty Day. She highlighted key information and achievements in the past year, emphasizing the students' excellence and the employees' contributions, commending the work of the previous administration. She introduced the new administration, which, since October 2023, has been striving to maintain high standards and steer the Faculty towards a future dictated by the rapid development of the IT industry, influencing the market economy and the direction of future higher education. "Our focus is on achieving excellence in a competitive educational environment. Therefore, I emphasize the importance of resource optimization and a continuous commitment to the best, including innovative learning methods, collaboration with industry business partners, and fostering innovation and entrepreneurship among students. In the upcoming term, special attention will be given to internationalization, accreditation of our study programs, the development of information systems, and, of course, addressing the issues of Campus II, planned in the space of today's FOI 2 building in Varaždin. We continue to actively participate in scientific research, projects, as well as volunteer and humanitarian activities of students and promote sustainable development at all levels of operation" - Klačmer Čalopa emphasized.
Key Messages from Dignitaries at the Ceremony
"FOI achieves outstanding results in its educational, scientific, and business cooperation. It has been a leader in new forms of learning, interpreting how education should look, and we have all based our teaching processes on that. The Republic of Croatia has signed the Convention, moving towards digitization as a state, and we have committed ourselves to create 50 thousand new IT professionals in the next ten years, where FOI is one of the crucial institutions" - highlighted the Rector of the University of Zagreb, Full Prof. Stjepan Lakušić, Ph.D. at the ceremony.
"FOI students find employment immediately after graduation, confirming that the institution educates the workforce most needed by society. FOI is a nursery for experts leading the digital transformation of society" - conveyed the representative of the President of the Government of the Republic of Croatia and the Varaždin County Prefect, Anđelko Stričak.
"FOI is a leader in the development of technology and education at the national level in Croatia. The projects carried out by the City of Varaždin together with FOI will give the city a new dimension. We are talking about the Smart Industry pre-incubation center project worth 22 million euros, and there is also the project of revitalization of the Drava park forest, where FOI is a partner " - stated the Deputy Mayor of Varaždin, Miroslav Marković.
The President of the Economic Council of FOI and the CEO of SICK Mobilisis d.o.o., Goran Kanižaj, emphasized the important aspect of connecting the academic and business sectors, praising FOI for recognizing this, among other things, by establishing the Economic Council in cooperation with employers.
Awards and Recognitions
On the occasion of the Faculty Day, awards, recognitions, and certificates of appreciation were presented to teaching and non-teaching staff, retirees, FOI students, partners, and friends. The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Full Prof. Diana Šimić, Ph.D., who, in her thank-you speech, said: "Nurture a pleasant organizational culture; you don't know how important it is until you lose it. Discuss ideas, models, methods, criteria, and everything that can help achieve the mission of changing the world for the better".
Alongside Professor Šimić, the Award was also received by Vika Kerekeš, M.J., for exceptional dedication among non-teaching staff, and Nataša Barič, Inf., for dedicated work among non-teaching staff.
The best students based on grade averages received awards: Filip Novak, Nino Lončar, Tin Tomašić, Sebastijan Geček, Tihana Triplat, Ana Novak, Žana Marija Podgorelec, Matko Kekez, Valentino Večenaj, Jana Kukulić, Fran Sabolić, Marija Kuštelega, Klara Šilec, Valentina Čajko, and Nikolina Županić. Awards for the best students based on scientific, professional, and sports achievements were given to: Karla Franović, Andrija Krmpotić, Eugen Petošić, Sara Sušac, Daniel Škrlac, Tin Tomašić, Petar Znika, and Lucija Zrna. On behalf of all the awarded students, student Marija Kuštelega expressed her gratitude: "I hope that with our example, we will inspire other students to strive for excellence. Everything good doesn't come easy, but the fruits are the sweetest".
The "Friend of FOI" Charter for the promotion and collaboration with FOI was awarded to Assoc. Prof. Peter Márton, Ph.D. from the Faculty of Management Science and Informatics at the University of Žilina in Slovakia this year.
The recognition of FOI was presented to Full Prof. Blaženka Divjak, Ph.D. and Petra Vondra, M.Inf., for the best scientific paper in a journal with the highest citation index (JCI). The recognition for successful business cooperation with the Faculty went to FOI's partner companies: SICK Mobilisis, Factory X, Oracle, Infodom, Speck, Arbona, Konzum, Emil Frey Digital d.o.o., Financijska agencija, IGEA, Intesa Sanpaolo International Value Services, PLIVA Hrvatska d.o.o., Infobip, CROZ, IBM iX, Infinum, CRO AI, Poslovna inteligencija, Photomath, and Cratis.
The Certificate of Appreciation was received by retired professors Full Prof. Božidar Kliček Ph.D. and Full Prof. Stjepan Vidačić, Ph.D.
Finally, it's worth noting that the ceremony was enhanced by the performance of the Academic Choir of employees and students of the Faculty of Organization and Informatics, conducted by Maestro Mirad Omranloo, Prof., with Melania Gradečak on the flute and David Vuković on the piano.
