Cooperation between OTP banka and the Faculty of Organization and Informatics in Varaždin worth EUR 40.000

OTP banka is proud of the fact that it pays great attention to cooperation with the academic community. In addition to supporting numerous student projects and initiatives, participating in conferences and workshops, implementing its scholarship program for low-income students and students with exceptional sports achievements, OTP banka, in continuous cooperation with faculties, tries to contribute to the best possible conditions for education. It provides support to students by enabling apprenticeship, creating a place where they can get their first job. This is precisely why it set aside a valuable donation of EUR 40,000 for cooperation with the University of Zagreb, Faculty of Organization and Informatics, and helping with the renovation of the Faculty in Varaždin.

Member of the Board of OTP banka Mr Ivan Šimičević and Dean of the Faculty of Organization and Informatics prof. DSc Marina Klačmer Čalopa signed, in the premises of the Faculty in Varaždin, a cooperation agreement, which provides for the realization of a strategic partnership between the Faculty and OTP banka and the refurbishment and renovation of the faculty premises. OTP banka will help renovate and equip the space with modern computer equipment, as well as other facilities intended for learning and teaching, which will improve the faculty’s position as an educational institution that significantly contributes to the development of IT staff in Croatia.

„ With its social engagement, OTP banka initiates positive actions wherever it operates, but we believe that dedication to younger generations is one of the most important elements of our corporate social responsibility. Creating the best possible conditions for studying not only enables more beautiful student years for our children, but also ensures the future of our economy. No matter how successful we are in our work, if we do not create conditions for the new generations to be educated according to the latest methodologies and if new knowledge and the most modern technology are not available to them, there is no future or further progress. This is precisely why we are working on connecting the academic community and the economy, we exchange information, we try to be part of the teaching base at many faculties. I believe that this is the only right way. That's why we're here today, and that's why we'll be at Career Week again, at workshops, at universities fairs all over Croatia... I would like to extend my special thanks to FOI for their dedication to creating new experts who bring us all the much-needed knowledge of the new generations", said Mr Ivan Šimičević, member of the Board of OTP banka.

 “We are proud of the cooperation with OTP banka, which is not only a financial support but also a strategic partnership. This cooperation results in the refurbishment and equipping of our premises, which will significantly improve the educational conditions for all our students at FOI. We thank OTP banka for recognizing the importance of investing in young generations and education, and this is crucial for the future development of the IT sector in Croatia. These 40,000 euros will enable us to modernize the space, providing students with better learning and working conditions thus encouraging the development of new experts and technologies," said the dean of the faculty, prof. DSc Marina Klačmer Čalopa.

This cooperation, which will be enhanced by a series of activities for students such as student competitions and hackathons, further encourages interaction between the banking sector and educational institutions, creating a bridge between the needs of the labour market and the qualifications of young experts in the field of economics and information and communication technologies.