The Strategic Relevance of Algebra University Partnership Launch

The recent event at Algebra University, supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of State, focused on launching the IDEAS partnership, which promotes educational collaboration between the University of South Florida (USF) and Algebra University. This initiative emphasizes study abroad opportunities in critical fields such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and computer science engineering.

Key speakers included:

1. Wendy Baker, University of South Florida World Campus Director, who provided insights into the purpose and goals of the IDEAS partnership.
2. Mislav Balković, Rector of Algebra University, who shared Algebra’s vision for growth in advanced tech education.
3. Don Markušić, President of ACAP, who highlighted the importance of U.S.-Croatia educational cooperation.
4. Antonija Gladović, Director of the National Agency for Mobility and EU Programmes, who discussed the broader impacts of international collaboration for Croatia.
   ACAP Strategic Relevance:

• Membership and Chapters: The event provided excellent networking opportunities for the ACAP Zagreb chapter. Don Markušić, Darrell Šarić, and Lidija Šimrak from the ACAP Zagreb Board connected with academic and industry leaders, strengthening professional relationships between the U.S. and Croatia.
• Business and Entrepreneurship: The collaboration between the University of South Florida and Algebra University aligns with ACAP’s objective to create business and learning opportunities tied to Croatia. This partnership opens doors for ACAP members and Croatian entrepreneurs in high-tech sectors like AI and cybersecurity, fostering innovation and economic growth.
• Policy and Research: The event underscored the importance of aligning U.S. and Croatian policies in education and technology. Don Markušić’s remarks reinforced ACAP’s advocacy for streamlined international programs, which could serve as a foundation for future U.S.-Croatia joint research and educational initiatives.
• Foundation: The IDEAS grant and new study abroad programs align closely with ACAP’s mission to support educational advancement. This initiative, backed by the U.S. Department of State, facilitates scholarships and skill-building, encouraging U.S. students to study in Croatia, and promoting knowledge exchange that benefits both countries.
• The event at Algebra University not only showcased the strengthening ties between the U.S. and Croatia in education but also reinforced ACAP’s strategic goals across its core focus areas. With the presence of ACAP’s Zagreb chapter and the speech by President Don Markušić, this event successfully elevated ACAP’s profile and demonstrated our commitment to fostering international collaboration in emerging technology fields.