The second decade of the Faculty’s development was marked by a strong transformation from a predominantly educational institution into a leading high-tech scientific and research center. In the period from 1965 to 1974, the Faculty not only followed global technological trends but actively shaped them within the domestic context, making key contributions to the development of industry, energy, and computing.

By 1969, the Faculty had already established itself as the largest and most significant higher education institution in the field of electrical engineering in the country. Its experts participated in the design of nearly all major energy facilities in Croatia, with intensive collaboration with industry and media, including TV Zagreb, RIZ, Končar, and others.

Teaching was structured into eight specializations: power engineering, electrical machinery and automation, telecommunications, radiocommunications, computer engineering, control engineering, industrial electronics, and nuclear engineering.

This organization of studies reflected the breadth and depth of the technological fields covered by the Faculty. Alongside teaching, scientific work intensified, and teaching materials gained exceptional importance. Textbooks and scripts written by Faculty professors became indispensable manuals in engineering practice, often printed in editions far exceeding the number of students.

Turning Point in 1968 – Arrival of the First Computer

The year 1968 represents one of the key turning points in the Faculty’s development. With the acquisition of the IBM 1130 computer, a new era of informatization and modernization of teaching began. Although modest in technical capabilities - featuring only 64 KB of memory - this system, popularly called "Half Past Eleven" ('Pola 12'), had an enormous impact.

The computer became a laboratory for the first generations of domestic programmers and engineers. Students learned the basics of programming in Fortran and solved complex engineering problems that had previously been unimaginable. Its acquisition was particularly significant given the recently completed A and C buildings, which had already consumed substantial financial resources.

The introduction of computers directly influenced the teaching process - the course "Electronic Computers" was introduced, and by the 1967/1968 academic year, more than half of all lectures were devoted to electronic disciplines. This clearly demonstrated the Faculty’s strategic orientation toward modern technologies.

The Faculty Becomes a Driver of Informatization

Entering the new decade, the Faculty assumed a leading role in the process of societal informatization and the development of digital telecommunications systems. With the establishment of the Computer Engineering track in the academic year 1970/1971, computing was formally recognized as a new engineering discipline.

A major role in this development was played by Professor Stanko Turk, who brought global trends to the Faculty and encouraged the development of computer science. Alongside him, Professors Božidar Stefanini and Hrvoje Požar made important contributions, particularly in developing Croatian professional terminology, including terms such as "računalo" (computer) and the clear distinction between "računarstvo" (computing) and "računarska znanost" (computer science).

In April 1971, the University Computing Centre (Srce) was established, further strengthening the institutional infrastructure for the development of computer technologies. Faculty staff were not only participants but also conceptual and actual founders of Srce. The working group that shaped and launched the Centre included Professors Uroš Peruško, Stanko Turk, Leo Budin, Božidar Stefanini, and Hrvoje Požar, thereby directly guiding the development of computing infrastructure and research at the University and beyond.

Nuclear Energy and the Krško Nuclear Power Plant Project

During this period, one of the most important state-level development initiatives was the construction of the Krško Nuclear Power Plant (its cornerstone was laid at the end of 1974).

Parallel to the plant’s construction, a nuclear engineering program was developed at the Faculty. In 1967, the Croatian team working on the Krško project was led by Danilo Feretić, PhD, the plant’s technical construction director, who joined the Faculty at the invitation of then-dean Hrvoje Požar. This marked the beginning of a strong expansion of the academic program in this field.

A teaching core for the development of the nuclear engineering study track was formed, with key roles played by Hrvoje Požar, Danilo Feretić, and Vladimir Knap. At that time, the Faculty’s role was primarily educational, training specialists for the needs of nuclear energy. Only later did knowledge transfer back through the engagement of experts in the operation of the Krško plant itself.

In 1979, the first generation of nuclear engineering students enrolled (at the higher years of study), graduating in 1981. This established a solid foundation for the systematic education of experts in nuclear engineering and marked the beginning of a new chapter in the development of this discipline in both academic and professional communities.

Student Life and the Role of KSET

The Faculty’s development during this period was not limited to teaching and research but also included a vibrant student life. In 1971, the Electrical Engineering Students’ Club was named KSET, marking the beginning of its development as an important hub of student community and identity.

The period from 1965 to 1974 was marked by a profound transformation of the Faculty. The introduction of computing, participation in strategic national projects such as the Krško Nuclear Power Plant, and the development of new study programs positioned the Faculty as one of the main drivers of technological progress and societal modernization.