University of Zagreb marks the centenary of Nikola Tesla’s honorary doctorate

As part of University Week, the centenary of conferring an honorary doctorate on Nikola Tesla was commemorated with a special ceremony. The recognition conferred by the University of Zagreb in 1926 served as a starting point for a discussion on Tesla’s legacy, the future of science and the role of universities and the economy in creating conditions for new generations of researchers and innovators.

Prof. Stjepan Lakušić, PhD, Rector of the University of Zagreb, emphasized that the anniversary was not only an opportunity to reflect on Tesla’s legacy, but also an incentive to consider the role of the modern university in the years ahead.

“One hundred years after Nikola Tesla was awarded an honorary doctorate, we want to intertwine his legacy with today’s scientific and technological challenges and create space for a discussion about the future. Looking ahead to the next hundred years requires us to continue investing in knowledge, developing our innovation potential and creating opportunities for young scientists and students,” emphasized Rector Lakušić.

Siniša Krajnović, PhD, President of the Management Board of Ericsson Nikola Tesla and President of the Economic Council of the University of Zagreb, noted that Tesla’s greatness lay not only in his knowledge, but also in his ability to imagine what did not yet exist and in the courage to try to bring his ideas to life.

“Nikola Tesla showed us what can happen when knowledge is combined with imagination and imagination with courage. I believe that one of the most important things we can do today is create space for new Teslas. Perhaps some of them are already taking their first steps in research in a classroom or student laboratory. Perhaps they have an idea that is ahead of its time. It is up to us to recognize, encourage and support them,” said Krajnović.

On behalf of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Academician Ignac Lovrek welcomed the guests and delivered an opening lecture titled Tesla and the University of Zagreb: A Story from 1926.

The panel discussion From Tesla’s Time to the Technologies of the Future addressed the role of artificial intelligence in scientific research, the development of robotics and autonomous systems and the transfer of knowledge and technology from academia to the business sector. In addition to Prof. Lakušić, PhD, and Siniša Krajnović, PhD, the discussion featured Academician Iva Tolić from the Ruđer Bošković Institute, Prof. Nikola Mišković, PhD, from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing and Prof. Davor Horvatić, PhD, from the Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb.

Tesla’s life and work through eight graphic motifs

Participants in the ceremony also had an opportunity to view an exhibition prepared in honor of the renowned scientist. Created by professors from the Department of Graphic Arts at the Academy of Fine Arts, University of Zagreb, the works were brought together in the Hommage to Nikola Tesla print portfolio, featuring eight motifs inspired by Tesla’s life and scientific work. The exhibited works were presented by the portfolio’s editor, art critic Milan Bešlić.

This is the first edition in the Spiritus Universitatis publishing series, through which the University of Zagreb and the Academy of Fine Arts will use print portfolios to present people, events and subjects from Croatia’s national and university history. The ceremony was also attended by Nicole McGraw, Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of Croatia.