Diverse range of activities took place during this year’s edition of FOI International Days. The first day of the event was designated for networking and acquainting international guests with the Faculty. The central event on Thursday, May 11, included guest lectures, a panel discussion, and presentations of new partner universities. The third and last day was dedicated to students participating in a workshop on artificial intelligence and an invited lecture by a visiting lecturer from Belgium. International guests also visited the TechPark Varaždin.
The FOI International Days is our key event related to internationalization and international cooperation. In addition to mobility, our cooperation includes project cooperation, research stays, and partnerships with universities. There is also the so-called “internationalization from home” concept, where our students and teachers have the opportunity to attend lectures by international teachers who come to FOI UNIZG, or collaborate with international students in classes," emphasized Izabela Oletić Tušek, head of the FOI International Relations Office.
One of the invited lectures was delivered by Assoc. Prof. Ricky Fergurson, Ph.D. from the prestigious Indiana State University, currently a visiting lecturer at FOI UNIZG as part of bilateral cooperation with the mentioned university. Besides this event, I will work and lecture at FOI during the Student’s symposium, where we will meet more students and staff members. I also hope that lecturers from Varaždin will come to us in the USA in July, where they will exchange knowledge, experiences, and perspectives, which is an excellent opportunity, highlighted Professor Ferguson, who addressed the branding of a university in an international environment during the FOI International Days.
Alongside him, guest lecturer Mr Ben de Vleeschauwer from the Belgian Karel de Grotte University of Applied Sciences and Arts spoke about organizing short mobilities—so-called Blended Intensive Programmes (BIP) with a focus on design thinking and innovation in the transfer of knowledge and experience.
Mr Tomislav Fresl, Head of Department for Higher Education at Agency for Mobility and EU Programmes (AMPEU) spoke about new trends and initiatives in EU mobility programmes.
Following the invited lectures, a panel discussion on academic staff mobility titled "Internationalization – What's in it for me?" was held, moderated by Academic Advisor at FOI UNIZG, Assoc. Prof. Martina Tomičić Furjan, Ph.D., and panelists spoke about their motivation for engaging in internationalization and collaborating with foreign teachers and researchers. At the end of the programme, three new universities from Poland, Romania, and Austria were introduced, with which FOI plans to intensify cooperation.
In total, over 300 participants took part in FOI International Days 2023 over the whole three days, making it the most successful edition so far.
We extend our gratitude to all our guests and participants!
Looking forward to welcoming you at FOI International Days 2024!
FOI International Days 2023 - Day 1
FOI International Days 2023 - Day 2
FOI International Days 2023 - Day 3
