To
whom would you wish the organization of a conference like
this one - to your best friend or to your worst enemy?
Organizing such a conference is a very serious and demanding
task, but it can also be a great challenge. Preparing such
a conference requires lots of effort and good planning is
necessary. Yet, when all the results are seen, one is left
with a good experience as an outcome. In addition, if the
participants are satisfied with the program and the organization
of it, then the organizers themselves are pleased because
they were able to reach their goals. In any case, in organizing
such a conference there is enough room for friends as well
as enemies!
Was it less demanding to organize this year's conference
than CUC '99?
This year we have the experience from last year's conference
to gall back on, which we lacked last year. Yet some problems
still emerged which were not present previously. For one,
some changes were made in the organizing team, but in the
end, the group of people we worked with did a splendid job.
Besides, we wanted CUC 2000 to be better organized than
last year - to have a program of improved quality along
with more partakers. All of this thought required extra
dedication in organizing the conference. I am proud to say
nevertheless, that we were capable of achieving both!
How much interest and understanding do sponsors have
for such a conference?
Most of the firms and institutions which were sponsors last
year, assisted us this year in organizing the conference;
but yes, CUC 2000 has new sponsors this year as well. CARNet,
as a non-profit organization can organize a more modest
conference, but nevertheless, the registration fee for the
conference would be higher then! The companies who sponsored
this year's conference showed interest an understanding
in the project, and with their donations contributed to
the status and shape CUC 2000 has at present. It is for
this reason that I take these opportunities to express my
most heartfelt thanks.
Why is the conference not free to students?
In establishing the registration fee we sought to make the
cost as tolerable as possible for all those involved, such
that it would not have a negative effect in the decision
of whether to come to the conference or not. Also, on the
other hand, the fees will cover a good part of all costs.
We hoped to encourage students to attend by offering them
more reasonable registration fees. But due to limited capacities
we were forced to leave the set price, making it as low
as possible.
How cooperative were other institutions and organizations?
The following institutions and organizations were hosts
to the conference and assisted us by offering space to work
in, as well as the halls in which the conference will take
place: The Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing
in Zagreb, The Faculty of Technical Engineering in Rijeka,
The Faculty of Electrical Engineering in Osijek, The Faculty
of Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Ship-Building
in Split. The Ministry of Science and Technology is also
one of the sponsors of the conference.
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