Interview with Ena Pecina - International Teaching Week
2026. June 4. 15:59
Modern education is increasingly defined by global collaboration and the exchange of specialized knowledge across borders. A recent academic event, the International Teaching Week was held by our faculty where Ena Pecina was attending as an Assistant Professor from the Faculty of Economics & Business at the University of Zagreb. Her journey from a passionate student assistant to an international guest lecturer offers a compelling look at the evolving world of financial education and the cultural bridges built through academic exchange.
A Career Rooted in Passion and Precision
Ena Pecina’s entry into academia was not a matter of chance but a realization during her own university years. While being a student teaching assistant, she discovered a profound fulfilment in helping others navigate complex course materials, a passion that would eventually lead her back to the classroom as a professional. However, her expertise is not solely theoretical. Following her graduation, she showed her analytical skills as a business analyst, gaining practical insights into the corporate world. When the opportunity arose to join the university faculty in the field of financial analysis, it represented the perfect intersection of her pedagogical interests and her professional background in finance.
Solve the World of Finance
At the University of Zagreb, Pecina manages a diverse portfolio of courses that form the bedrock of financial literacy. Her teaching spans several critical disciplines:
Corporate Finance: A strategic look at how companies maximize value through capital budgeting, financing, and dividend policy.
Investment Analysis: A focused study on securities valuation and the delicate balance of risk and return in portfolio management.
Business Analysis: A diagnostic approach to evaluating and improving company performance across various operational facets.
For the International Teaching Week, she brought these concepts to life by focusing specifically on capital structure decisions. To bridge the gap between abstract theory and real-world application, she presented a case study of a Croatian company, demonstrating how strategic capital design directly influences firm value.
Impression of the UPFBE Students
One of the most rewarding aspects of Professor Pecina’s visit was the intellectual vitality of the students at UPFBE. She noted that the students were not merely passive listeners but active participants who demonstrated a "solid understanding" of the subject matter. Their ability to connect foundational corporate finance concepts with new, advanced material facilitated an interactive environment that she found particularly engaging. This level of preparedness and openness to discussion is a testament to the quality of education and the intellectual curiosity fostered within the faculty.
Discovering the Charm of Pécs
Beyond the lecture halls, the city of Pécs left a lasting impression on the visiting professor. She was struck by the city’s aesthetic beauty, highlighting its distinct architecture and serene parks which contribute to a unique, welcoming atmosphere. Yet, it was the human element, the "friendliness and openness" of the local people that truly defined her stay. Coupled with an appreciation for the local gastronomy and wine, her visit was as culturally enriching as it was professionally successful.
A Fruitful Exchange and Future Prospects
Reflecting on the experience, Pecina describes her time at the International Teaching Week as "very positive". The week served as a vibrant platform for knowledge sharing, allowing for an exchange of ideas between Croatian and Hungarian academic traditions. Given the success of the sessions and the warm reception from both the faculty and the students, she expressed an enthusiastic desire to return for future iterations of the program. This exchange underscores the value of international programs in creating a more connected and informed global academic community.
Nagy Virág