August 18, 2021 - Algebra University College, the leading Croatian school for digital technologies, has joined MITx MicroMasters program pathway collaboration with MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), one of the most prestigious educational institutions in the fields of science and technology in the world.

This will create a credit pathway from MITx MicroMasters in Statistics and Data Science to Algebra’s graduate program in data science for both Algebra students and global learners. Students who complete their studies on the integrated program will receive a diploma from Algebra University College along with the MITx MicroMasters credential in statistics and data science.

MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) and Algebra University College collaborated on the MicroMasters credit pathway, which will make it possible for Algebra University College students, from the upcoming academic year, to attend a part of their curriculum in a hybrid way that includes courses from MITx MicroMasters program in statistics and data science as part of the curriculum. The students who enrol in the graduate program of data science, the only specialist graduate program of this kind in Croatia, will be able to choose between the usual program offered by the Algebra University College, and a hybrid program that includes five MITx courses as well as MIT’s certification of the finished program.

Algebra University College will also recognize MIT’s MicroMasters credential for credits for those students who have already completed MITx MicroMasters statistics and data science program on their own and therefore make it possible for the students to enroll in a data science graduate program in Croatia at the Algebra University College, thus making studies in Croatia more appealing and attracting a larger number of foreign students to study in our country.

The syllabus of the Algebra University College graduate program in data science in this new integrated form includes courses from the MITx MicroMasters program in Statistics and Data Science (https://micromasters.mit.edu/ds/). The program integrates competencies in probability theory, statistics, machine learning, and data analysis, and it consists of one course for each of those areas and a final exam.

The competencies offered by MITx MicroMasters program in statistics and data science are an excellent match for the Algebra University College graduate data science program, which aims to create competent data scientists with a wide knowledge of computer methods and statistics as well as with a specific understanding of social issues making possible an advanced data analysis and conclusions about trends and occurrences in the real world. Data science experts come from different areas of finished education and different economic sectors, but their common goal is specialization in advanced data analytics.

Tracy Tan, MicroMasters program director at MIT, said: “The MicroMasters courses in statistics and data science were developed by MIT Institute for Data, Systems and Society (IDSS). The courses have a multidisciplinary approach to understanding methods and tools used in data science and include their practical application in data analysis and machine learning. Beside the fact that Algebra’s students will get an opportunity to acquire knowledge by MIT standards, this cooperation also opens space for MITx McroMasters learners from all over the world, through the recognition of their previous academic outcome, to continue their education in Algebra in Croatia after completing their MicroMasters study.”

“This new cooperation between MIT and Algebra, this time on implementing the graduate program in data science, brings important news for future students. Not only that we strengthen our graduate program with lectures by eminent professors from MIT departments of computer science, economics, and mathematics, we also create a wide-open door to the students in a global community through life-long affiliate status of the MIT Alumni Association, subscription to scientific databases, and through the subscription to the online edition of MIT Technology Review. We are delighted for this extended cooperation with such an established institution as MIT because our program in data science is in line with the global trends and actual knowledge in this area,” said Mislav Balković, PhD, dean of the Algebra University College.

More information about the integrated graduate program in data science at Algebra University College can be found here. 

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November 17, 2020 - The Croatian edition of the prestigious EY Entrepreneur of the Year award has been completed. Hrvoje Josip Balen, Mislav Balković, and Tomislav Dominković from the Algebra company were named as the new Croatian EY Entrepreneurs of the year.

As Poduzetnik writes, one of the largest and fastest-growing educational groups in Croatia was chosen from six finalists in a competition of more than 55 candidates from 40 companies. As the winners of the national edition, Algebra will represent Croatia at the world finals in Monte Carlo.

Algebra is a company focused on undergraduate and graduate education, lifelong learning, and corporate education. Also, Algebra prepares high school students for graduation and offers a digital education for primary school students. They are also active in the field of educational consulting and digital publishing. During the 21 years of its existence, more than 120,000 people have completed various types of educational programs in Algebra, and 15,000 students of all ages enroll in various fields and studies each year.

Today, Algebra is the most important educational partner of companies such as Microsoft, Google, Oracle, Cisco, Adobe, Red Hat, Vmware, and many others, and it is also a prominent member of numerous eminent academic initiatives.

"Despite all the hardships that befell us this year, with great energy and desire, we managed to fight back and continue to develop our dream. We come from a sector that is not primarily perceived as entrepreneurial, from the education sector, but we were committed to building a successful system by which we will participate in creating new ideas, added value, and future professionals for the benefit of all of us. Thank you to fellow entrepreneurs for the recognition, which will certainly serve as an additional motivation for us in the days to come," said Hrvoje Josip Balen from Algebra during the proclamation.

The expert and the independent jury consists of entrepreneurs and investors Nenad Bakić and Saša Cvetojević, together with previous winners Alan Sumina, Đuro Horvat, Marko Pipunić, Mate Rimac, and Silvio Kutić, led by the President of the Management Board of Atlantic Grupa Emil Tedeschi. The winner was chosen according to global criteria which, in addition to financial indicators, focus on entrepreneurial spirit, innovation, personal integrity, and strategic direction.

"Although the circumstances of life and business have changed, what remains unchanged are the values underlying this award and program. These values are positively evidenced by the entrepreneurial news that resonates with the public in recent months, but also over the years. Almost all previous laureates and finalists of the past five years have achieved great results, and they are connected by hard work, knowledge, desire, courage, and the ability to gather outstanding teams. Besides, the desire for constant education and the acquisition of new knowledge is crucial for their success. It is the constant development of new ideas and knowledge that will be the foundation of further success in all areas," said Emil Tedeschi, President of the Jury, in his introductory speech. Speaking about the importance of the award, he added: "This is a unique award given by entrepreneurs to entrepreneurs, which celebrates entrepreneurship with the message that the best among us are all role models and inspiration."

Winners Hrvoje Balen and Mislav Balković from Algebra in the company of Berislav Horvat, Saša Cvetojević, Nenad Bakić, Mate Rimac, and Josip Pavlinić at the award ceremony of the prestigious EY Entrepreneur of the Year award / Poduzetnik.biz

Apart from Algebra, the selected group of this year's finalists, who presented their success stories in Zagreb's Lauba on Friday, November 13, consisted of Nikica Gabrić from the Svjetlost Clinic, Anita Cvetić Oreščanin, Dražen Oreščanin, and Lidija Karaga from the company Business Intelligence (Poslovna inteligencija), Gordan Lauc from Genos, Stjepan Šafran from Metal Product, and Matt Darko Sertić from Applied Ceramics.

During the opening ceremony for the most successful Croatian entrepreneur, Berislav Horvat, Country Managing Partner at EY Croatia, said:

"This year was specific, it put every individual, including everyone who has dedicated their lives to entrepreneurship and creating new values, numerous unexpected temptations. I am convinced that even in such times, it is entrepreneurs and their innovations, optimism, ability to quickly adapt and find the best solutions that can re-create new values and help the further development of society. Therefore, a big thank you to all entrepreneurs for the extra effort they put into building a better society just when it is most needed."

Minister of Finance Zdravko Marić pointed out that glorifying entrepreneurial success is extremely important in these unprecedented times and that entrepreneurs have once again shown how important their role is in the development of the economy and society as a whole.

Croatian entrepreneurship has once again shown that it has the strength and potential, and the sixth edition of this most prestigious world award in entrepreneurship presented the most successful and brought additional motivation for business development and perseverance.

To read more about business in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

It's become somewhat the norm to read about the huge amounts of talent and innovative skills this country has to boast about, from incredibly sporting stars to entrepreneurs, inventors and scientists. For such a small country with a seemingly continually decreasing population, it has a lot to offer. Croatian students are among those who consistently showcase their abilities across a very wide range of skill sets and fields.

As Poslovni Dnevnik/Marta Duic writes on the 6th of June, 2019, talented and innovative computer game development students at Croatia's Algebra High School have launched a campaign for their interesting new product on the crowdfunding platform Indiegogo, their product, called Brawlament, was created by these students during this academic year.

The eleven-member team from this highly respected Croatian educational facility went step by step from their initial idea of their product's prototype right up to the realisation of their final product, after which they decided to take advantage of possible crowdfunding opportunities so that they could raise the necessary funds to allow for market entry and eventual commercialisation of this new Croatian game.

With the creation of this new game, the team of inventive creators wanted to revive the ''mood'' of old hits that users are nostalgic for and still very happy to play now when given the chance to.

"The team is made up of a number of game developers, and they may still be students today, but if we look at the campaign phase before the launch on Indiegogo and the campaign phase now, we can honestly say that they really are true game developers.

Our team consists of programmers, 2D and 3D artists, sound artists, and some of them also work on our social networks and websites,'' said Jurica Adamek, a computer science student and assistant in the development of computer games at Algebra.

Make sure to follow our dedicated Made in Croatia page for much more on Croatian inventions, products and services.

The last thing you’re likely to want to hear about in summer is school, we get it, but that’s exactly why this summer school is different. Meet Algebra, located in the Croatian capital city of Zagreb and easily accessible from any direction.

Algebra has been providing high quality education for more than 20 years in digital technology with bachelor and master programs in computer engineering, digital marketing and design, as well as e-Leadership MBA. Accompanied with 150 faculty members and more than 500 experts ready to help whenever necessary, 1,100 students in higher education and 15,000 students attending the numerous programs the school offers annually, from courses to MBA programs, Algebra isn’t just your run of the mill summer school. Far from it.

Not everything is about school, and I believe it was the wonderful Oscar Wilde who once hinted at the good old ‘’school of life’’ being the most important ‘’faculty’’ one can attend. Algebra is very much a school to prepare its students for real life, and works to properly equip its students for the world of work, and this isn’t just some tired old mantra, but a reality. The proof is there to be seen, and as many as 96% of Algebra’s students find employment within just six months of graduation.

With bachelor and master programs not only in STEM, but in Arts as well, Algebra sets its students up for life in the world of work, and therefore sets itself apart as a summer school, caring less about being self-serving and more about creating the workforce of the future, and providing them with all of the necessary skills and knowledge to conquer everything from multimedia and programming to cyber security in an increasingly technological age dominated by artificial intelligence and Internet of Things.

With highly respected academic partners such as Microsoft, Oracle and IBM (just to name a few), it’s little to say that Algebra is a deeply trusted school.

From artificial intelligence and cyber security to digital marketing and data driven storytelling, digital sculpting fundamentals and creating 3D projects, to the internet of things and mobile application development, this school is successful in keeping up with the modern world of education, and paving the way for the future employees of the modern world of work.

Lasting three weeks during the summer, Algebra prides itself on placing an emphasis on the exceptionally high quality of its study program, its lectures, professors and of course, its enviable curriculum. For the latter, it’s perhaps best to see what the students themselves say:

“I was overwhelmed by the quality of the course I completed and the university staff were beyond supportive and accommodating.”

“Every lesson was taught by an expert in that field, so I enjoyed the focus on practical and experimental aspect and not only on theory’’

“Algebra summer school exceeded all my expectations. Great staff, excellent lecturers and a warm atmosphere.”

“This program perfectly offers courses of very high quality taught by professors who not only are great at what they do but that are also excellent in communicating their knowledge. The fact that the classes are small also adds on the benefit of one-to-one interaction, with professors that have the time to go over doubts and help students personally without wasting too much time.”

„Everything I expected and more, the courses are very hand on, challenging and intensive, but rewarding“

„I expected practical knowledge, my idea was to learn how to contribute and do something with my own hands. The quality of teaching was spectacular. Classes are small so the professor could help us in any moment. We got to visit 2 cities, and emerge ourselves to Croatian culture.“

„I expected to learn as much as I could and have fun, but I also found a great lecturer, the teaching level was really high. You can learn a little bit every day.“

„This summer school is all about combining future professions, summer and friends. Very intensive courses, really good professors with great knowledge and intention to explain and overcome the problems and situations.“

The old saying goes that the child in us dies when we stop wanting to learn new things. One can never know everything, as everything is always changing. This international summer school provides an excellent opportunity to learn something new in a way that truly inspires you. The university offers eight different courses which are both creative and very applicable, allowing for a summer spent gaining new skill sets and knowledge. Fancy trying your hand? Here’s what Algebra offers:

Digital marketing – New ways of communication

Data driven storytelling – Create stories using big data and advanced visualization

Digital sculpting fundamentals – Learn the basics of sculpting in Zbrush

Creating a Detailed Project in 3D – From the very basisc to the postproduction of the final image

Mobile application development – From idea to creation

Cyber security – The forc3 is strong with this one

Internet of Things – Create a weather measuring system with cloud visualization

Artificial Intelligence – Today and in the future

There’s nothing quite like meeting a person who happens to be interested in the same things you are, and is all in all likeminded. Algebra is the perfect place for that, and you’ll connect and make lifelong friendships with those who are also helping to shape the digital future. Here’s what was done last summer as part of a truly international experience.

Travelling is something that almost everyone can agree is amazing. Sometimes you need to step out of your comfort zone in a new place to really discover who you are, and this is the perfect opportunity, not to mention the perfect country. Croatia boasts more than 1,000 beautiful islands and enjoys a massive 2700 hours of sunshine annually!

With Algebra, you’ll get to spend two weeks in the Croatian capital, which has close links to the Vienna, Venice, Budapest, Belgrade, Sarajevo and many more owing to its excellent geographical position. You’ll head down to the beautiful Dalmatian coast to the historic town of Sibenik during the height of the summer season. Sibenik is close to Krka National Park, Prvic island, and Smiljan, which is the birthplace of the genius Nikola Tesla.

Join Algebra from the 7th to the 27th of July, 2019, for an unforgettable learning experience in a summer school with a difference, the best in all of Europe.

Sounds good? If so, it’s time to get packing and looking forward to an incredible summer in Croatia. You’ve got until May the 20th to apply to the Algebra International Summer School, so the time is now to start planning the summer of a lifetime.

March 9, 2019 - Croatia is attracting international visitors for a number of reasons apart from tourism, including education. Meet Algebra University College.

“Croatia had caught my eye for some time, with its beautiful scenery and pictures online, but the undeserved defeat in the World Cup finals cemented my intention to visit. I believed studying in Croatia would give me the best opportunity to feel like a local and immerse myself in the culture. Zagreb was amazing. One of the cleanest and safest cities I have lived in," says Haitham Hamid from Australia, one of many students that visited Croatia this winter and enjoyed his stay in our beautiful country while taking a lot of time to study and learn something new at Algebra International Winter School.

"The people were hands-down the highlight of my trip, everyone I met in Croatia was so nice and helpful. They will always be in my memories and have definitely shaped my great impression of Croatia. Don’t get me started on the food as well, one word – 'mmm'," he continues.
Haitham is not the only one who has found Zagreb and Croatia to be pleasurable destinations. 

“Three weeks in January away from the dismal English winter, exploring the land of a thousand islands, of fairy tales and Game of Thrones shooting locations, while learning new technology trends at a premier educational institute and adding qualifications to my CV? Yes, I was more than interested!” explains Somdutta Sarkar, a student originally from India who is currently studying in the UK.

When Algebra started attracting international students to the Algebra University College, they approached the organization of their International Summer School with immense enthusiasm and a "can do" attitude. "Little did we know that our success depended much less on us than on the overall issue of attracting international students to Croatia and proving that Croatia is a great study abroad destination," Lidija Šimrak, Algebra’s International School Project Manager, explains.

To achieve that goal, Algebra needed all Croatian institutions united and willing to invest time, resources and money in attracting brilliant and curious young minds to explore everything our country has to offer. "We are so proud that more and more Universities in Croatia realize this potential and strive in the same direction now. Each year we are getting more and more students on our short International Summer and Winter School programs, more Master students and are planning to start enrolling Bachelor students as well due to the overall interest.

Our labor market is in need of educated, ambitious and creative young minds, and with enough help from the education institutions we can change the current gloomy state of things," Šimrak explains.

With one more International Winter School behind them, Algebra can certainly claim it was very successful and has checked all the boxes they hoped it will. Young people from all over the world chose Croatia as their place to be during the winter break and chose Algebra as a place to learn something new. 

There were three courses to choose from – Digital Marketing; with joint certifications by Google AdWords and Google Analytics, Cyber Security; with a focus on ethical hacking, breaking into the systems and protecting the systems from real hacking, and every industry’s new favorite; Artificial Intelligence. Considering Algebra University’s academic partnerships with companies like Microsoft, IBM, and Cisco, and the accreditation of its professional study programs by European bodies like NVAO and ASHE, it is no surprise that the winter school programs are particularly geared towards creating a digital future. Croatia, after all, is also the land of technological innovations. 

When international guests representing some of the best universities in the world visit Algebra, Algebra's staff like to point out some of the key technological advances and discoveries that were made in Croatia – namely that this is a country where fingerprinting was developed into a method of identification, where the parachute was invented, where the precursor to atomic theory was nurtured, and also where Nikola Tesla was born – the man who practically invented the future we now live in. With such a versatile group of students, the process of internationalisation is just as beneficial to the lecturers. Teaching students from all over the world, getting to know them, see the way they think and how their cultural differences are overshadowed by the same interests is a reward on its own. 

Maja Brkljačić was one of the lecturers on the programme. She says: “What I enjoy most about teaching this program is the chance to teach foreign students. I have been working with international students for several years, both at International Winter and Summer school. I have found our students to be a lively group, always ready to chat and make jokes, but when it comes to sit down and learn I have found them focused, highly motivated and I have enjoyed their discussions greatly.”
Robert Petrunić, one of the leading Croatian IT security specialists, also taught a course on the program. 

“What I love the most about teaching our students is the diversity I have in the classroom. This diversity brings new challenges to me as a teacher and a joy to the students and myself when this diverse group is acting as a single entity," he says.

"I enjoy the experience of teaching students from different cultures, different countries and experience of collaboration between them. What I like about our international students is the way they handle a new country, new teaching processes and the knowledge that is overwhelming at some points. It creates a little bit of tension, and I love seeing how they relax during the process when they become friends with their teachers, lecturers, staff of Algebra University College and most of all their colleagues," said Vanja Šebek, one of the lecturers on the digital marketing program in Winter School, and the head of the graduate programs in the field.

There is no better time to make Croatia a desirable study abroad destination, Lidija Šimrak believes. "Our silver in the World Cup last year, famous Game of Thrones filming locations, our beautiful coast and the fact that it is not an expensive destination puts us on the map as a great location for international students. Moreover, we try to incorporate as many field trips and company visits as possible in our three-week International Summer and Winter School programmes to show our students not only our stunning nature, but also our business success stories. It really is of great importance to show the students the bright side of our economy and show them the future of Croatia’s digital technology industry," she says.

This year, in July, Algebra’s International Summer School will take place in Zagreb and Šibenik where they will be offering the students 8 different courses they can choose from. The shaping of digital future comes from various branches of technology, so they offer courses that are both creative and in accordance with the demands of the industry.  

"The programme tries to be high on involvement to facilitate the learning process; it even includes a workshop on financing startups, and another in Croatian language and culture, as well as social events and company visits. My experience has taught me that only good things can come of projects like our International School summer and winter programs," Lidija Šimrak explains, and continues: "Not only is it a great promotion of everything we can offer as a country and as an educational institution, but also an opportunity to learn about other cultures, to not only teach our students, but also learn from them and their ambitions. We remain optimistic and enthusiastic about the future of internationalization of higher education and we will continue to do everything in our power to show international students why Croatia is an excellent choice for a study abroad experience. Our mantra is to lead by example and encourage not only our students, but also other educational institutions to recognize the potential of internationalisation."

About Algebra University College:

Algebra University College is the flagship of largest private educational organization in Republic of Croatia and the region, present today in more than 20 cities across Croatia. Founded in 1998, we currently have more than 120 full-time employees and more than 400 associated experts. Throughout our first 20 years, we got to know all of you pretty well, and we firmly believe that you deserve only the very best. Learn more from the official Algebra website.