First name:

Family name

Born:

Blaženka

Divjak

1967 in  Varaždin, Croatia

Education:

1998 – PhD in mathematics, Dept. of Mathematics, University of Zagreb (UniZG)

1993 – mr.sc. in mathematics, UniZG

1989 – MS of mathematics and physics, UniZG (EQF level 7)

1985 – Gymnasium Varaždin

Academic position: 

2020 – full professor of mathematics - permanent position

& scientific advisor for information sciences University of Zagreb, Faculty of Organization and Informatics (FOI)

Previous positions:

2017-2020 minister of science and education Republic of Croatia

2014 – 2017 full professor of mathematics - permanent position

& scientific advisor for information sciences University of Zagreb, Faculty of Organization and Informatics (FOI)

2010 – 2014 vice-rector for students & studies University of Zagreb,

2010-2015 full professor of mathematics & scientific advisor for information sciences

1999 – 2003 & 2007 – 2010 –vice-dean for science and international cooperation FOI, University of Zagreb

2004 – 2010 – associate professor in mathematics

1998 – 2004 – assistant professor (docent) in mathematics

1994 – 1998 – assistant in mathematics - FOI UniZG

1990 – 1994 – teacher of mathematics & physics – Gymnasium Varaždin

Languages:

Croatian – native speaker

English C2

German B2

Selected publications to illustrate scope of research

Full list:

https://bib.irb.hr/pregled/znanstvenici/210830

1. Pažur Aničić K, Divjak B. (2020). Maturity Model for Supporting Graduates’ Early Careers Within Higher Education Institutions. - SAGE Open, 10(1).
2. Dobi Barišić K, Divjak B, Kirinić V. (2019). Education Systems as Contextual Factors in the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge Framework. Journal of Information and Organizational Sciences. 43(2) pp. 163-183.
3. Kadoić N, Divjak B, Begičević Ređep N. (2019). Integrating the DEMATEL with the analytic network process for effective decision-making. Central European Journal of Operations Research. 27(3). Pp. 653-678.
4. Bralić A., Divjak B., Integrating MOOCs in traditionally taught courses: achieving learning outcomes with blended learning. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education (2018) 15 (1), 2.
5. Aničić Pažur K., Divjak B, Arbanas K., Preparing ICT graduates for real-world challenges: results of a meta-analysis. IEEE Transactions on Education 60 (3), (2016) 191-197.
6. Kadoić N, Begičević Ređep N, Divjak B. (2018). A new method for strategic decision-making in higher education. Central European Journal of Operations Research. 26(3).
7. Begičević Ređep N, Balaban I, Žugec B, Klačmer Čalopa M, Divjak B. (2017). Framework for digitally mature schools. European Distance and E-Learning Network, Special Issue of the European Journal of Open, Distance and E-Learning. Pp 31-44.
8. Divjak, B., Maretić, M. Geometry for Learning Analytics. KoG  (19) (2015) 48-56.
9. Balaban I., Mu E., Divjak B., Development of an electronic Portfolio system success model: An information systems approach. Computers and Education, 60(1), (2013) 396-411.
10. Milin Šipuš, Ž., Divjak, B., Translation surfaces in the Galilean space. Glasnik Matematicki, Vol. 46, No. 2 (2011)
11. Divjak B., Ostroški M., Vidaček Hainš V.: Sustainable student retention and gender issues in Mathematics for ICT study. International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 41 (2010), 3, 293-310.
12. Divjak, B.; Peharda, P.; Social Network Analysis of Study Environment. Journal of Information and Organizational Sciences. 34 (2010) 1; 67-80.
13. Begičević N., Divjak B., Hunjak T.: Decision-making on prioritization of projects in higher education institutions using the Analytic Network Process approach. Central European Journal of Operations Research, 1 (2009) 1-24.
14. Divjak B., Erjavec Z., Szabolcs B., Szilagyi B.: Geodesics and Geodesic Spheres in SL(2,R) Geometry. Mathematical Communications, 14 (2009), 2, 413-424.
15. Divjak, B. Milin Šipuš, Ž. Some special surfaces in the Pseudo-Galilean space, Acta Matematica Hungarica 118 (3) (2008) 209-226.
16. Divjak B., Kukec S., Teaching methods for international R&D project management, International Journal of Project Management, Vol 26 (Issue 3) (2008) pp. 258-267
17. Begičević N, Divjak B, Hunjak T. Prioritization of e-learning forms: a multicriteria methodology. Central European Journal of Operations Research 15 (4), (2007) 405-419
18. Divjak B, Milin Šipuš Ž. Minding isometries of ruled surfaces in pseudo-Galilean space. Journal of geometry 77 (1-2), 35-47
19. Divjak B, Milin-Šipuš Ž. Special curves on ruled surfaces in Galilean and pseudo-Galilean spaces. Acta Mathematica Hungarica 98 (3), (2002) 203-215
20. Divjak B. Curves in pseudo-Galilean geometry. Annales Univ.Sci. Budapest 41 (1998), 117-128

Citations (2020)

Fellowships:

University of Edinburgh, Visiting scholar, summer semester 2015

University of Kentucky, PhD student, winter semester 1997

Memberships:

(selection)

1. Member of Executive committee of international organization European Access Network 2005-2017.
2. National team of experts (member) for Bologna process 2011-2014.
3. National council for development of human potential (member) 2014-2017.
4. President of the Council for quality management of University of Zagreb 2009-2010.
5. President of the Council of the national innovation system 2008-2009.
6. Member of the negotiating workgroup for Croatia joining EU, “Science and research” chapter, 2006.
7. Vice-president of Committee for scientific, professional & artistic work at University of Zagreb 2002-2006. 
8. Member of the local government of Varaždin County in charge of education, research, culture and information 2001-2005.
9. Member of the national Committee for FP 2006-2010. 
10. President of national Committee for Joint Research Centre-a 2006-2010.
11. High Level Representative for Croatia in European Eureka network 2002-2004.

Publications (books)

authored 7 books (2 university textbooks for mathematics, authored chapters in 5 books); editor in 4 books

Projects (Major scientific collaborations):

coordinated/managed 14 national/international scientific and developmental projects at project or workpackage level (zProjekti, NZZ, Tempus, FP7, ESF, IPA, LLP, Eureka)

participated in 15 additional projects as researcher/collaborator

Project (15) leader/collaborator

(selection)

1. Erasmus strategic partnership in HE project: Relevant assessment and pedagogies for inclusive digital education. 2021.-2023.  Coordinator: B. Divjak

2. Erasmus strategic partnership in HE project: Digital and entrepreneurial skills for European Teachers in the COVID-19 world. 2021.-2023.  Coordinator of WP: B. Divjak

3. Erasmus strategic partnership in HE project: Accelerating the transition towards Edu 4.0 in HEIs. 2020.-2022.  Researcher: B. Divjak

4. Croatian Science Foundation (HRZZ) Development of a methodological framework for strategic decision-making in higher education – a case of open and distance learning (ODL) implementation 2015-2019, coordinator B. Divjak http://higherdecision.foi.hr 
5. Project grant University of Pennsylvania. A contribution to the taxonomy development: Benchmarking tool for higher education institutions serving underrepresented groups. 2015-2016, coordinator: B. Divjak, FOI, partner EAN
6. Scientific project (Ministry of Science Education and Sports _MZOS, Croatia): Differential geometry of space with degenerated metric, 016-0372785-0892, 2006-2014. 
7. LLP Erasmus: Promoting Quality Culture in Higher Education Institutions / PQC. Coordinator: EUA, as UniZG coordinator, 2011-2013.
8. FP7: Children as Change Agents for Science in Society. Coordinator: T. Jennings, University of Liverpool, coordinator for FOI, UniZG: B. Divjak, 2010-2014. 
9. IPA EU - IT Pilot Project in the field of Education – Kosov. Component 1: Institutional Readiness for use of ICT in learning, teaching and administration in education (Strategy, Action plan for e-learning, E-Readiness report, legal framework for e-learning), 2010-2011
10. Eureka: Enterprise content management. E! 5045 coordinator: ABIT-ECM, FOI coordinator: B. Divjak, 2010-2012.
11. Tempus JEP:  Enhancing Absorption Capacity for EU Programmes in Croatia Tempus IB_JEP-41063-2006. Coordinator: B. Divjak, 2007-2009.
12. European Science Foundation: Quantitative methods in social sciences. Leader: A. Dale, University of Manchester, coordinator for Croatia: B. Divjak, 2008-2011.
13. National Science Foundation (HRZZ): Learning outcomes in interdisciplinary field INTER-OUTCOMES. Coordinator: B. Divjak, 2008-2009.
14. Tempus SCM: Teaching and Learning Sklls –TEALS 2004-2005. Coordinator: B. Divjak
15. Tempus SCM: Furtherance of Bologna Promotion in Croatia. Coordinator: A. Bjeliš, UniZG 2005-2006.
16. Tempus JEP: Aspects of information and organization systems: Curriculum development, CD_JEP-16086-2001. Coordinator: B. Divjak, 2002-2005.
17. ALIS Bilateral UK-Croatia: Popularization of Science and Dissemination of Scientific Information. 2000-2002. Coordinator: B. Divjak
18.  Scientific project (MZOS) for young scientists: Curves and surfaces in pseudo-Galilean space. Leader: B. Divjak, 1998-2002.

Invited lectures

2017-2020

Talents are distributed evenly but opportunities are not! Brain drain vs brain gain. (2020). 12th ESEE Dialogue Conference Brain Drain and its effects on the ESEE Region. (November 3, 2020) https://esee-dc.eu/

Chances of European Cooperation for Stability and Prosperity. Ministry of Research and Education, Berlin May 14th 2019.

Strateško planiranje u visokom obrazovanju i znanosti. MIPRO 23. svibnja 2019

Strategic Decision Making in Higher Education: How to Integrate Learning Analytics? Learning. Conference: Analytics Policy and Strategy in Higher Eucation (SHEILA project) Bruxelles, 5th June  2018.

 Digital transformation of education and science and its consequences. University of Freiburg. May 2018.

Computing Curriculum, Coding or Computational Thinking. Education World Forum, London. 2018.

Curricular reform: Lessons from Croatia. Education World Forum, London. January 20, 2020.

Panel: The hidden charm of STEM: how to make them more attractive? The First European Education Summit, January 25th, 2018