The Dean of FOI, Prof. Marina Klačmer Čalopa, PhD, emphasized the Faculty's milestones in her address. Exactly 50 years ago, on December 18, the Higher School of Economics evolved into the Faculty of Organization and Informatics. Only a year later, in 1975, FOI became part of Croatia’s largest and oldest university – the University of Zagreb.
"Throughout the years, FOI has been at the forefront of innovation" noted Dean Marina Klačmer Čalopa. The Faculty was the first in the region to emphasize informatics and information sciences, starting with the introduction of the "Data Processing" program in 1968/69, the installation of the BULL computer, and the establishment of undergraduate studies focusing on informatics. In 1983, FOI was instrumental in creating a distinct scientific field of information sciences, solidifying its position as a key player in this domain. The late 1980s and early 1990s marked new advancements with the development of business informatics, the establishment of the Informatics Center as a critical incubator, and innovative projects that shaped Croatia's informatics landscape.
Today, FOI fosters a unique synergy between academia and industry, with partners actively involved in shaping curricula and strategic projects. This collaboration enables FOI to contribute to economic development and digital transformation while offering students education tailored to market needs.
Awards and Recognitions
The event also served as an opportunity to honor distinguished individuals and organizations with awards and recognitions.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Prof. Damir Dobrinić, PhD, while the award for Outstanding Achievements in Research was granted to Prof. Zlatko Erjavec, PhD, and for Teaching Excellence to Assoc. Prof. Dina Korent, PhD. Among the administrative staff, Goran Leskovar was recognized for exceptional dedication, and Ivica Gašparac was awarded for committed service. The Award for Exceptional Contribution to Society was presented to Assoc. Prof. Matija Novak, PhD. The "Friend of FOI" Charter for exceptional collaboration and promotion of the Faculty was awarded to Prof. Wim Van Petegem, PhD, from KU Leuven. Recognition for the Best Scientific Paper published in a high-impact journal went to Prof. Blaženka Divjak, PhD, and Barbi Svetec, for their work in the International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education. Recognitions for successful collaboration were also awarded to industry partners, including SICK Mobilisis, Konzum Plus, CRATIS, FINA, Apis IT, IGEA, OTP Bank, Speck, Makerspace, SPAN, Oracle and HBOR.
Student Achievements
Awards for the highest academic achievements were given to Marina Jendrašić, Filip Novak, Nino Lončar, Ana Rudolf, Sebastijan Geček, Tihana Triplat, Anja Kolarić, Žana Marija Podgorelec, Matko Kekez, Tin Tomašić, Melanija Štefan, Ana Novak, and Klara Šilec. Additional awards for scientific, professional, and sports accomplishments were received by many students, including Matea Adlašić, Lovro Babić, Jakob Bertović, Nikola Bešenski, Elena Brebrić, Josip Budak, Sven Cerovec, Lucijana Čančar, Igor Dačnik, Dorotea Dananić, Martin Dobec, Karlo Đukin, Matija Fric, Ivan Giljević, Mateja Gršeta, Vanesa Gudić, Anamarija Horvat, Marko Hranić, Matea Ilišević, Jan Ivančić, Franka Ivas, Franka Jerbić, Ivan Juras, Ivan Kučan, Luka Kukec, Klara Lupoglavac, Roberto Mandekić, Matej Marijan, Ivan Mihelić, Luka Mikulić, Tin Milanović, Sebastijan Njegovan, Domagoj Sitar, Korina Sterle, Fran Sviličić, Patrik Šantek, Ema Tomičić, Tome Trnjanac, Ivan Vincek, Lino Zadravec, Mislav Žnidarec, Karla Franović, Sara Sušac, Tomislav Hlevnjak, Petar Matišić, Stanko Smrček, and Filip Šoštarić.
FOI today – a blend of tradition and innovation
FOI prides itself on internationally accredited programs, research projects, and strong industry collaborations. A significant achievement this year was the EFMD Accreditation for the Economics of Entrepreneurship program, placing FOI in the top 1% of business schools worldwide.
During the event, Dean Klačmer Čalopa presented the FOI AI Assistant, an innovative chatbot developed to commemorate the 50th anniversary. The chatbot represents the Faculty’s cutting-edge research and offers insights into its history and achievements. Other highlights included plans for the Regional Center for Pre-incubation in Smart Industry and the FOI Campus, a vision of a modern facility awaiting realization.
Notably, FOI’s involvement in artificial intelligence dates back to the 1980s, showcasing a long tradition of research and application of this transformative technology. AI is now an integral part of FOI's teaching and operations, reinforcing its leadership in education and digital transformation.
The anniversary underscored FOI's historical importance in education, science, and economic development. The Faculty of Organization and Informatics remains committed to its mission of excellence, innovation, and community, looking ahead to new milestones in the years to come.
