From 21 to 23 May 2025, the Business Analytics & AI programme at FH CAMPUS 02 – Department of IT & Business Informatics – participated in the FOI International Days at the Faculty of Organization and Informatics (FOI) of the University of Zagreb in Varaždin, Croatia.
Under the motto “International Horizons: Bridging Minds, Changing Lives!”, the event provided a platform for exchanging ideas on current trends in internationalisation, digitalisation, and data-driven decision-making processes.
International participation – celebrating diversity in practice
The FOI International Days 2025 brought together an impressive group of participants from around the world. This year, among others, FOI welcomed:
- 25 students and 2 professors from Pennsylvania State University (USA)
- 16 students and 3 lecturers from FH CAMPUS 02 (Austria)
- Around 15 representatives from teaching and administration at universities from Slovenia, the Netherlands, Hungary, Serbia, and Luxembourg
This diverse composition emphasised the international focus of the event and provided an ideal environment for exchange, new partnerships, and intercultural learning.
Event Highlights
A particular highlight of the event were the keynotes by international experts, offering profound insights into the future of internationalisation and its strategic role in higher education. Two outstanding presentations stood out in particular:
- Turning Challenges into Opportunities: The Future of Internationalisation
Assoc. Prof. Krisztián Szűcs, Head of the Department of Marketing and Tourism and Advisor to the Dean for International Accreditation at the University of Pécs Faculty of Economics and Business, explored in his keynote the numerous challenges faced by internationalisation. Prof. Szűcs emphasised that these challenges can simultaneously be used as opportunities to develop innovative solutions and strengthen international collaboration. He spoke about the necessity of developing flexible and adaptable strategies to meet the ever-changing global educational landscape. By harnessing modern technologies and promoting intercultural competencies, universities can expand their international presence and enhance their appeal to students worldwide.
- Building Bridges, Shaping Futures: The Strategic Role of Internationalisation in Higher Education
Full Prof. Jernej Belak, Deputy Dean for International Cooperation at the University of Maribor Faculty of Economics and Business, dedicated his keynote to the strategic importance of internationalisation in higher education. Prof. Belak emphasized that internationalisation is not only a means to broaden academic horizons but also plays a crucial role in shaping the future of universities. He highlighted how international collaborations and partnerships can help improve the quality of teaching and research, promote knowledge transfer, and enhance the global competitiveness of institutions. Prof. Belak stressed the importance of a clear and targeted internationalisation strategy that addresses both institutional goals and student needs.
Further highlights:
- Panel discussions on the transformative impact of studying abroad on personal and academic development. Our Deputy Head of Department, Dr Jesenko, also took part.
- Presentations by research centres and labs at FOI, providing insights into current projects in data analytics and artificial intelligence.
- Workshops as part of the Erasmus+ project SuMoS to promote sustainable student mobility.
- Visits to TECH_PARK Varaždin, a centre for technological innovations.
New perspectives through international exchange
Participating in the FOI International Days was a valuable opportunity to expand international networks, promote intercultural exchange, and gain fresh insights for the further development of the degree programme.
Thanks to FOI Varaždin
A heartfelt thank you to the Faculty of Organization and Informatics for the excellent organisation and hospitality. The inspiring discussions and diverse programme underscored the importance of international collaboration in the digital age.
We look forward to continuing the exchange and to future joint projects!