Cooperation with the business sector at the Faculty of Economics and Business in Rijeka is strategically oriented towards connecting academia, the business community, and the public sector. As a faculty of economics, EFRI has a dual role: to educate future professionals while simultaneously contributing to economic development through scientific analyses, projects, and joint initiatives. Through partnerships, the quality of teaching is enhanced, research capacities are strengthened, and students’ career development is supported.
Key Forms of Cooperation
EFRI develops its cooperation with the business sector through several complementary activities:
Internships and Career Development
Through a network of partner organisations, students complete internships, participate in projects, and gain first-hand insight into business processes. Employers are thus able to engage with future talent, while students develop competencies essential for their careers.
Joint Projects and Research
The Faculty collaborates with companies and institutions on scientific and professional projects, conducts market analyses, evaluates public policies, and participates in national and European projects. Such cooperation creates tangible value for practice while enriching teaching with real-world examples.
Guest Lectures, Panels, and Professional Events
Business professionals, managers, and policymakers regularly participate as guest lecturers, panelists, and mentors at Faculty events. This enables students to gain insight into current trends, challenges, and best practices across different sectors, making teaching more dynamic and aligned with real business environments.
Lifelong Learning and Corporate Education
EFRI offers lifelong learning programmes that include workshops, seminars, and specialised training in economics, finance, management, the public sector, entrepreneurship, and other business disciplines. These programmes are developed in cooperation with the business sector to ensure alignment with current market needs and professional challenges faced by organisations and their employees. This approach facilitates effective knowledge transfer and strengthens competencies through practically applicable content.
Involvement of the Business Sector in Study Programme Development
The business community participates in the development and modernisation of study programmes, ensuring that learning outcomes align with labour market needs, new technologies, and global business trends.
EFRI Business Forum and Advisory Board
A special role in strengthening ties with the business sector is played by:
- EFRI Business Advisory Board – an advisory body that brings together distinguished entrepreneurs, managers, and public sector representatives. The Board connects academia with the business community and contributes to the development of study programmes, lifelong learning initiatives, and policy-related improvements to the business environment.
- EFRI Business Forum – an annual event that gathers leading business professionals, representatives of the financial sector, public authorities, and the academic community. Its aim is to open discussions on key economic topics, encourage new initiatives, and jointly address challenges related to the development of the Croatian and regional economy.
Cooperation as a Foundation for Development
As one of the key pillars of EFRI’s activities, strong cooperation with the business sector ensures that the Faculty remains closely aligned with practice and the evolving needs of the economy.
This model of cooperation results in several important outcomes:
- increased student employability through internships, projects, and direct contact with employers,
- study programmes that reflect real market needs,
- strengthened research impact through applied research and analysis,
- contribution to local and national economic development through knowledge transfer, policy recommendations, and best practices.
Committee for Cooperation with the Business Sector and Career Development
Assoc. Prof. Vesna Buterin, PhD – Vice Dean for Business Cooperation and Operations, Chair
Assoc. Prof. Saša Čegar, PhD – Vice Dean for Internationalisation and Sustainable Development
Prof. Ivana First Komen, PhD
Prof. Nela Vlahinić, PhD
Prof. Bojana Olgić Draženović, PhD
Prof. Danijela Sokolić, PhD
Assoc. Prof. Ana Marija Sikirić Simčić, PhD
Assist. Prof. Stella Suljić Nikolaj, PhD
Anamarija Zron, MSc Econ
Nika Stipetić Kalinić, MSc Econ
Vanja Rubeša, MSc Econ
Diana Ježina Radovanović, MSc, Univ. Spec. Econ
Dorjana Dodić Tomljanović, Univ. Spec. Econ
Student representative (to be appointed)
Business sector representative (to be appointed)