The theme of this year’s edition particularly emphasized the importance of international cooperation, connecting academic communities, and creating a globally relevant educational and research environment, with a special focus on international teaching collaboration and mobility. Over the years, FOI International Days has grown into one of the most important international events of the Faculty of Organization and Informatics, while also making a significant contribution to the internationalization process of the University of Zagreb. The event brings together international partners, teachers, researchers, and students with the aim of exchanging knowledge, developing new projects, and strengthening international academic cooperation.
This year’s edition gathered a record number of international guests and partners from as many as 13 countries – Sweden, Belgium, the Netherlands, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Serbia, Austria, Spain, France, the United States, South Africa, and Türkiye – further confirming FOI’s strong international position and openness toward the global academic community.
The Dean of the Faculty of Organization and Informatics, Prof. Marina Klačmer Čalopa, PhD, highlighted the importance of internationalization for the development of modern higher education:
“For eighteen years, FOI International Days has represented a meeting point for ideas, knowledge, and international partnerships. We are proud that here in Varaždin we bring together experts and partners from around the world and provide students and teachers with the experience of genuine international academic exchange. Internationalization is not only a strategic goal of our faculty, but also a key element in developing higher-quality education, research, and innovation. Through events like this, we build a strong international cooperation network and create new opportunities for our students and staff.”
“Events like these are the foundation for the growing mobility and awareness on internationalization of our students and teachers” emphasized the Vice Dean for Science, Projects, and International Cooperation, Assoc. Prof. Martina Tomičić Furjan, PhD. She added that during the previous academic year, FOI achieved 26 outgoing semester exchanges at 12 universities, 6 international internships, 30 participations in Blended Intensive Programmes (BIP), and 60 virtual mobility activities (COIL). At the same time, FOI hosted 66 students through summer schools and study visits, 38 students through semester exchanges, and 70 participants in virtual mobility programmes (COIL).
The Head of the International Relations Office, Izabela Oletić Tušek, emphasized that FOI continuously confirms its international recognition and activity:
“It is important to point out that among the total of 34 constituents of the University of Zagreb, FOI is currently ranked sixth in terms of mobility numbers, which confirms our continuous work on internationalization and creating international opportunities for students and staff.”
The central part of the programme consisted of keynote lectures delivered by international experts. The invited lecture Beyond the Classroom: When the University Opens Doors to the World was delivered by Prof. Lola Garzón Benítez, PhD, and Assoc. Prof. Pau Sendra Pons, PhD, from the University of Valencia, who discussed the role of universities in opening spaces for global cooperation, international connectedness, and social engagement.
The second keynote lecture, titled Making International Teaching Work: Insights from Teach with Erasmus+, was delivered by Assistant Professor Luca Alexa Erdei, PhD, from Eötvös Loránd University. In her presentation, she spoke about experiences in international teaching and the role of Erasmus+ mobility in developing contemporary educational practices.
“International teaching offers students and teachers much more than an academic experience – it develops intercultural competences, openness, and the ability to collaborate in a global environment. The Erasmus+ programme enables precisely these valuable encounters and exchanges of knowledge among European universities” emphasized Erdei.
As part of the final day of the programme, a panel discussion on enhancing universities’ international engagement was held, moderated by Assoc. Prof. Martina Tomičić Furjan, PhD, Vice Dean for Science, Projects, and International Cooperation, along with presentations of partner institutions from Türkiye, Spain, Sweden, and the United States.
Additional activities were held in parallel, including a visit to the Technology Park Varaždin and the AI-HED workshop dedicated to the application of artificial intelligence in higher education.
Particular attention this year was attracted by the first edition of the international student competition International WebSec Initiative 2026, which brought together students interested in cybersecurity, web vulnerabilities, and Capture The Flag (CTF) challenges.
FOI International Days is organized every year by the International Relations Office of the Faculty of Organization and Informatics with the aim of strengthening international cooperation, developing academic partnerships, and creating new opportunities for students, researchers, and teachers.
DAY ONE
DAY TWO
DAY THREE
