The study visit was initiated by Penn State professor Anne Hoag, and in the initial arrangements, Assoc. Prof. Mario Konecki, Ph.D., Assoc. Prof. Kristina Detelj, Ph.D. and Assoc. Prof. Irena Konecki, Ph.D. participated. In previous communication with the mentioned Penn State professors and in establishing collaboration within the EDGE (Experimental Digital Global Engagement) program, Prof. Violeta Vidaček-Hainš, Ph.D. and Renata Horvatek, Ph.D., a former FOI employee who ganed her doctorate and worked at Penn State University, were also involved.
The first day of the study visit included a tourist tour of Varaždin, where visiting students and faculty visited the Varaždin market and the Old Town of Varaždin with a guide. At FOI, a presentation on eSports was held by student Mislav Žnidarec. The evening was reserved for student networking and getting acquainted.
On the second day, students had the opportunity to attend the lecture "Impact of virtual reality and artificial intelligence on society, communication, inclusion, and sustainability" delivered by Assoc. Prof. Mario Konecki, Ph.D., head of the Laboratory for the Design of Software Interfaces, Internet Services and Video Games, and a long-time collaborator with Penn State University. After the lecture, the guests were hosted by the members of the FOI Management, Dean Prof. Marina Klačmer Čalopa, Ph.D. and Assoc. Prof. Martina Tomičić Furjan, Ph.D., Vice Dean for Science, Projects, and International Cooperation.
