Markoja is proud to participate in the FER Alumni Foundation program, an initiative that provides financial and mentorship support to students from low-income backgrounds. Through donations, the Foundation offers scholarships to young individuals facing financial challenges, giving them the opportunity to continue their education and realize their potential.
Thanks to the collective efforts of donors, including 16 companies and over a 100 individuals, ten scholarships were awarded this year, significantly reducing the financial burden on students and their families. The Foundation’s program goes beyond financial assistance – students gain additional knowledge, advice, and support during their studies through mentorship and connections with successful alumni. Dean Vedran Bilas emphasized the importance of this initiative, which strengthens the bond between past and current students while offering tangible support.
Established a year and a half ago, the Foundation is the result of the FER Alumni Committee’s dedication. Despite numerous legal challenges, they succeeded in gathering donations and organizing the first round of scholarships. Assistant Professor Josip Lončar, the Foundation’s manager, took on the responsibility of legal formalities and successfully completed all necessary registrations.
Unlike the strict criteria of state scholarships, the Foundation developed its own process, which includes a higher income threshold and motivational letters from students. Among the 11 applications received, the Foundation’s members selected scholarship recipients through interviews, focusing on candidates’ genuine needs and motivation. Igor Strejček, Managing Director of Microblink and President of the Foundation’s Administrative Board, highlighted the emotional and sincere nature of the applications, especially those from students who had lost parents or faced family tragedies.
One of this year’s scholarship recipients, Matea Čunović, shared her story. She comes from a small village and a seven-member family with unemployed parents. Losing her state scholarship and a spot in a student dormitory further strained her circumstances. However, with the FER Alumni Foundation scholarship, Matea has been able to continue her education without adding financial pressure on her family. She noted that the scholarships are not just bureaucratic processes – they carry a strong human element, offering students additional strength and motivation to succeed.
