Recognizing Excellence in Technical Sciences at FER
The Croatian Parliament’s Committee for the Awarding of National Science Prizes has announced the recipients of the country’s highest academic honors for 2024. Among the distinguished winners are two prominent researchers from the University of Zagreb Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing (FER): Prof. emeritus Nedjeljko Perić and Prof. Stjepan Picek. Both received the National Science Award in the field of technical sciences, with Perić earning the Lifetime Achievement Award and Picek receiving the Annual Science Award.
These awards highlight the rigorous research environment and the high caliber of engineering education available at FER. For prospective students and engineering professionals, the recognition of these two scientists demonstrates the direct link between academic research and practical, real-world technological advancement. Understanding the work of these researchers provides valuable insight into the career trajectories possible with a strong foundation in technical sciences.
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Advancing Automation and Control Systems: The Legacy of Prof. Nedjeljko Perić
Prof. emeritus Nedjeljko Perić’s Lifetime Achievement Award reflects more than five decades of continuous contribution to technical sciences in Croatia. His career illustrates a highly effective integration of industrial application and academic instruction, particularly in the specialized field of automation and control systems.
Bridging Industry and Academia
Before joining the academic staff at the University of Zagreb Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing, Perić spent nearly twenty years at the “Rade Končar” Electrical Engineering Institute. During this period, he focused on the research and development of microprocessor-based control systems. In industrial settings, these control systems are critical for automating complex processes, improving manufacturing precision, and ensuring the safe operation of heavy machinery. His innovative solutions during this time were directly implemented in industrial applications, contributing to the modernization of technical systems across various sectors.
This extensive industrial background provided a practical foundation that he brought to FER in 1993. By understanding the exact needs of the industrial sector, he was able to shape his academic research to address tangible engineering challenges, particularly in the optimization and estimation of complex plant control systems.
Shaping Modern Engineering Education
Perić’s impact on engineering education in Croatia is profound. He has authored or co-authored 19 textbooks and teaching materials, establishing a foundational curriculum for students in control systems. Beyond writing textbooks, he served as a visiting professor at several regional universities, including those in Osijek, Split, Rijeka, and Mostar, helping to elevate the standard of technical education across the region.
At FER, he prioritized practical training by establishing multiple laboratories and training facilities. These hands-on environments are essential for engineering students, as they bridge the gap between theoretical mathematics and the physical realities of electrical engineering and computing.
Pioneering Renewable Energy Research
Over the last two decades, a significant portion of Perić’s research shifted toward control systems for renewable energy sources. As global energy grids integrate more variable power sources like wind and solar, advanced control strategies become necessary to maintain grid stability. To address this, he established the Laboratory for Renewable Energy Systems (LARES) at FER, a facility that has gained international recognition for its contributions to energy systems research.
Furthermore, Perić founded the Innovation Center Nikola Tesla (ICENT), which he led until 2022. The center’s primary objective is to facilitate the transfer of knowledge and technology from university research labs directly to commercial industry applications. This type of innovation center is vital for regional economic development, as it helps startups and established companies alike leverage academic research to improve their products and services.
Explore our related articles for further reading on FER’s control systems and energy programs.
Leading Global Research in Computer Security: Prof. Stjepan Picek’s Impact
While Perić’s award recognizes a lifetime of cumulative achievement, Prof. Stjepan Picek’s Annual Science Award highlights an extraordinary concentrated output of research in a single year. Picek’s work focuses on the intersection of computer security and machine learning, two of the most rapidly evolving fields in modern computing.
A Record of High-Impact Publications
In 2024 alone, Prof. Picek published 39 academic papers, including 13 in journals indexed in international databases and 21 papers presented at internationally peer-reviewed conferences. In the highly competitive field of computer science, this volume of high-quality output is exceptional. His research has garnered significant academic attention, accumulating 5,691 total citations on Google Scholar, with 1,406 of those citations occurring in 2024 alone. This metric indicates that his recent work is not only prolific but is also heavily influencing current global research trends.
From 2021 to 2024, Picek has been continuously listed on Stanford University’s prestigious list of the top 2% most cited scientists in the world. In 2024, he was also added to the career-long citation impact list, confirming that his contributions have a sustained, long-term influence on the field of computer security.
Influencing International Security Standards
The practical value of Picek’s research extends far beyond academic citations. In 2024, the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) cited 19 of his papers in its official guidelines regarding the application of machine learning in implementation attacks. When national security agencies reference a researcher’s work in their operational guidelines, it demonstrates that the research directly contributes to securing critical digital infrastructure against malicious attacks.
Implementation attacks target the physical hardware of cryptographic systems rather than the mathematical algorithms themselves. Picek’s application of machine learning to this area helps in identifying vulnerabilities in hardware that could otherwise be exploited to steal encryption keys or disrupt secure communications.
Mentoring the Next Generation of Researchers
A critical component of a healthy academic ecosystem is the mentorship of junior researchers. In 2024, Picek’s research team included 16 doctoral students and one postdoctoral researcher. During that same year, six of his PhD students successfully defended their dissertations. Additionally, he mentors approximately 30 undergraduate and graduate students annually. This active involvement in teaching ensures that the advanced methodologies he develops are passed directly to the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.
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What These Awards Mean for Prospective Engineering Students
For students evaluating their options for higher education, the recognition of FER scientists with Croatia’s National Science Awards serves as a strong indicator of institutional quality. Attending a university where faculty members are actively pushing the boundaries of their fields provides distinct advantages for students.
First, students gain direct access to cutting-edge knowledge. When professors like Picek are publishing research on the latest machine learning applications in cybersecurity, that knowledge filters directly into the graduate and undergraduate curriculum. Students are not simply reading about outdated technologies in textbooks; they are learning about current industry challenges and the latest theoretical frameworks to solve them.
Second, award-winning faculty attract substantial research funding and international partnerships. Facilities like the LARES laboratory, established by Perić, provide students with access to state-of-the-art equipment. Working in these facilities during thesis projects or research assistantships gives students practical, hands-on experience that is highly valued by employers in the technology and engineering sectors.
Third, the strong connections between faculty and industry, exemplified by Perić’s work with the Rade Končar Institute and the establishment of ICENT, create clear pathways for employment. Students who perform well in these programs frequently receive job offers from industry partners who are familiar with the rigorous training provided by FER researchers.
Building a Career in Engineering and Computing in Croatia
Croatia has positioned itself as a growing hub for technology and engineering in Southeast Europe. The success of FER alumni and faculty in international arenas confirms that the engineering education provided at the University of Zagreb Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing meets global standards. Whether a student is interested in the hardware-focused world of automation and control systems or the software-driven realm of computer security and data science, the faculty provides the rigorous mathematical and practical foundation required to succeed.
The achievements of Prof. emeritus Nedjeljko Perić and Prof. Stjepan Picek reflect a broader culture of excellence at FER. By maintaining high standards for both theoretical research and practical application, the faculty continues to produce graduates who are capable of leading complex technical projects, securing critical infrastructure, and driving innovation in the global technology sector.
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