The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Information Technology Osijek - FERIT
The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Information Technology Osijek is one of the three technical faculties of the Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek. In addition to Croatian students, being the center of higher education in electrical and computer engineering and information technology in the eastern Croatia. The Faculty has six departments with 58 PhD scientists. There are over 30 laboratories established at the Faculty among which three accredited Electromagnetic Compatibility Laboratory, Electrical Machines and Hybrid Electric Drives Laboratory and the Laboratory for Renewable Energy Sources stand out. The Faculty continually works on enhancing scientific capacities in terms of the number, skills and competences of teachers elected in the scientific-teaching, teaching and associate titles. Its main goal is to profile itself as an outstanding research institution and enhance the quality of scientific research by international cooperation among scientists. Aiming to exchange experience in teaching, implement joint studies, conduct projects and publish scientific papers, the Faculty cooperates with the largest regional industrial representatives as well as twenty universities, higher education and research institutions in Germany, Austria, Sweden, Hungary, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain and other EU countries. The main areas of expertise are: renewable energy sources and energy efficiency, mathematical modelling and optimization in power and electro-mechanical engineering, intelligent energy networks, image and video processing, intelligent control systems and robotics, wireless communication systems, communications networks and next-generation network services, applications and software quality, applied computational intelligence, embedded as well as distributed and ubiquitous computer systems.
One of the constituent units of the Faculty is the Office for International Cooperation, Scientific and Research Projects which has more than five years of experience in preparing and implementing projects financed by the European Union funds (IPA II, IPA IV, Interreg, ESF, ERDF) and more than seven years of experience in projects financed by the national funds. The main tasks of the Office is to coordinate, manage and implement projects. Furthermore, the Accounting and Finance Office uses the systematic methods of accounting, analytical accounting and registering and provides accounting and financial support for the preparation and implementation of projects.
FERIT has participated as either the lead beneficiary or partner in more than 50 national and international projects from 2008 until now. Scientific research were conducted within eight projects financed by the Ministry of Science and Education. In addition, the Faculty was the lead beneficiary of numerous research and technology projects financed by other national institutions such as the project financed by the Croatian Institute of Technology within the TEST programme and five projects funded by BICRO (PoC Public). Particularly important for growth and development of the FERIT are science and research where the Faculty is actively involved in numerous domestic and international consortia through which the established research groups successfully carry out scientific research.
FERIT successfully implemented projects within TEMPUS, ITEA and Leonardo Power Quality Initiative as well as the project RegPhosys funded by the Croatia-Hungary CBC program. Three Interreg projects are currently being implemented: Renewable Energy Sources and Energy Efficiency in a Function of Rural Development (Lead Beneficiary); Modernizing Laboratories for Innovative Technologies (Partner); Active Sensor Monitoring Network and Environmental Assessment for Protection and Wise Use of Wetlands (Partner).
FERIT, as a project partner will be responsible for establishing RES based smart building energy system for FERIT public building for dissemination and education of local and regional authorities: city of Osijek and Osječko-baranjska county. Also, FERIT will be jointly responsible for other implementation and communication activities including scientific research, educational and promotional activities for target groups: local and regional authorities, high education and research and general public. Expected benefits for FERIT are related to gaining and disseminating know-how in renewable energy usage and energy efficiency measures for public buildings towards achieving energy independent public buildings. Photovoltaic power plant will be installed on FERIT public building within establishing smart innovative building energy management system (BEMS) that serve as a research, educational and demonstration good-practice example. Know-how and experience gained by FERIT research staff will certainly enable achieving goal to promote all the benefits of smart RES usage in public buildings to all project target groups. FERIT will also be responsible for technical assistance for establishing smart innovative BEMS at KBC Osijek including design, assistance in preparation of the technical specification for the equipment, education on the use of equipment etc.
Very important benefit is in continuation and improvement of international co-operation with Faculty of Technical Sciences in Novi Sad and co-operation with Mechanical Engineering Faculty in Slavonski Brod in the field of sustainable energy, further development of high-education, research and innovation in RES technologies, smart building energy management systems, power electronics and IT technologies, further development of existing Laboratories for RES, Power Electronics, Communications and IT.
More information about FERIT can be found on the website.