When knowledge becomes experience: ENT and FER designed laboratory exercises in an escape room format

What does studying look like when theory moves from handouts to the real technological world?

Ericsson Nikola Tesla (ENT) and the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing (FER) in Zagreb combined knowledge and experience in Inventorium and designed laboratory exercises from the elective course Communication Networks 2 for third-year undergraduate students in Computing. But this time – in a completely different format.

Instead of classic laboratory tasks, students found themselves in an escape room environment located in the Ericsson Nikola Tesla data center. Through a series of concrete technical challenges, teamwork and problem-solving, 49 students from Croatia and abroad had the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in a real, industrial environment.

This innovative approach to learning encourages collaboration, creative thinking, and navigating real-world situations – skills that are crucial in today’s technological world.

For Ericsson Nikola Tesla, the technological leader and the largest ICT company in the region, the project is another confirmation of the importance of a strong connection between academia and industry. This provides students with an early insight into the real work environment, organizational culture, and technological challenges, while ENT gets the opportunity to meet and recognize top young talents already during their education.

Inventorium, the ENT and FER scientific research laboratory, confirms its status as a strategic link between knowledge and practice, faculty and industry, and potential and future careers.