The Department of Informatics of the University of Rijeka was formally established on April 1, 2008, but it has its roots in the early 1970s. Specifically, in 1971 prof. Pavle Dragojlović wrote the first university textbook in the SFRY called Informatics. At that time, projects were made for the establishment of the University Computing Center (SRCE) in Zagreb with the aim of setting up smaller terminals in other cities and installing a mini-computer in each higher education institution in Rijeka. In 1987, the Department of Informatics was founded, and in 1998 it was renamed the Division of Informatics of the Faculty of Philosophy in Rijeka.
In 2005, the undergraduate study of Informatics began, which was significantly revised in 2019 with the introduction of professional practice and 4 modules:
- Software development - RPP
- Communication systems - KS
- Multimedia systems - MMS
- Information systems - IS
In 2009, the Department started graduate studies in Informatics. A review of the Informatics graduate study program is underway with the aim of modernizing and increasing the representation of current areas in industry and science, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, cloud microservices, computer game development and VR, business analytics, big data processing and others. Continuation of studies is possible at the postgraduate doctoral study of Informatics, intended for the education of future scientists and researchers.
The main activity of the Department is scientific research in the field of informatics and computer science and teaching of IT courses at all levels of study, for students of informatics and other study programs. The Department is located in modernly equipped computer classrooms and laboratories in the department building on the University Campus in Trsat (Radmile Matejčić 2, Rijeka). At the beginning of 2022, the Department changes its name to the Faculty of Informatics and Digital Technologies.