Sixty years have passed since the founding of the Faculty of Chemical Technology in Split (KTF). The Faculty was established in 1960, based on the need for chemical and technological engineers during the development of the chemical industry in Dalmatia. Looking back, it can be concluded that the Faculty of Chemical Technology in Split has successfully realised the idea and vision of its founders. Through KTF’s study programmes, which have always responded to societal needs and development trends and were based on its own research and the latest scientific knowledge, almost 2,500 experts have been educated. These graduates have held and continue to hold responsible positions in industry, science, local and state administration, as well as in hospitals, laboratories, and schools. They have contributed their knowledge, expertise, and dedicated work to the development of our society. KTF is one of the founders of the University of Split, established in 1974, and through its activities has made a significant contribution to the University’s successful development. Today, the Faculty of Chemical Technology is a recognised scientific and research institution, as demonstrated by its cooperation with domestic and international research and academic institutions, publication of scientific papers in renowned international peer-reviewed journals, and participation in organising scientific congresses. We can proudly conclude that the Faculty of Chemical Technology plays an important role in the development of the University of Split, Dalmatia, and Croatia. This has been achieved through the dedicated work of all its employees over the past sixty years, which obliges us to continue in this way.

Significant industrial development, including chemical industry, in Croatia began in the 1950s. However, it is worth noting that numerous industrial, including chemical, plants existed in Croatia even earlier. For example, the refinery in Rijeka, from which INA d.d. emerged, was founded in 1882; the Croatian construction asphalt company Katran for the production of bituminous materials has existed since 1890 in Zagreb and today operates under the name Hidroizolacija katran d.o.o.; the Portland cement factory in Split has existed since 1880; three cement plants were built in Kaštela Bay from 1904 to 1912, still active today under the name Cemex Hrvatska; the Moster paint and varnish factory was founded in 1920 in Zagreb, from which today's Chromos emerged; the pharmaceutical company Kaštel was founded in 1921 in Karlovac, from which today's Pliva d.d. developed; the calcium carbide and cyanamide production factory in Dugi Rat dates back to 1912; the sulphuric acid and mineral fertiliser factory in Koprivnica dates back to 1910; the lime production factory near Drniš dates back to 1908, as does the brickyard near Ivanić-Grad, etc. The above indicates that Croatia has a long tradition of industrial production. After the Second World War, the renovation and expansion of existing plants and the construction of new industrial facilities characteristic of that period were carried out. New production facilities were built for pharmaceutical products and medicines, technical chemicals, coatings, plant protection products, essential oils, auxiliary materials for the textile industry, leather and rubber, petrochemicals (poly(vinyl chloride), polyethylene, polystyrene), nitrogen fertilisers based on natural gas, aromatic hydrocarbons, etc.

Such industrial development also generated a need for chemical and technological engineers, including in Dalmatia, which was also affected by the industrialisation process. Therefore, in February 1960, the People's Committee of the Split District initiated activities to establish the Faculty of Chemical Technology in Split. A proposal was made regarding the structure, organisation of teaching, personnel requirements, material resources, student accommodation and food, general conditions, and the dynamics of the Faculty's development. Decisive assistance in establishing the Faculty was provided by members of the Council and the Council of the Faculty of Technology of the University of Zagreb. Thus, in May 1960, professors of the Faculty of Technology of the University of Zagreb – Marijan Laćan, Vjera Marijanović-Krajovan, Miroslav Karšulin, Ivan Filipović, Luka Marić, and Ivan Jurković – and secretary Ante Petranović concluded that there were objective needs and realistic possibilities for establishing the Faculty. By the decision of the Parliament of the Republic of Croatia of 7 July 1960, the Act on the Establishment of the Faculty was passed (Official Gazette No. 31/60). The Council of the Faculty of Technology of the University of Zagreb also appointed the Electoral Commission, composed of professors Miroslav Karšulin, Vjera Marijanović-Krajovan, Ivan Filipović, Ivan Lovreček, and Marijan Laćan, which elected the first teachers and assistants for the Faculty of Chemical Technology in Split for the academic year 1960/61. These were professors Božena Pelech-Tucaković, Ivan Česnik, Milan Zglav, Stjepan Lipanović, and Anđelko Damjanić, and assistants Ruža Krstulović, Anka Žmikić, Klara Grzunov, Neven Bogdanić, Jagoda Radošević, and Vesna Gotovac.

The Faculty of Chemical Technology in Split was officially opened on 22 October 1960. That day is commemorated and celebrated as the founding day of the Faculty of Chemical Technology in Split. Božena Pelech-Tucaković was elected as the first Dean of the Faculty, and Ivan Česnik as the Vice-Dean. Since then, the Faculty of Chemical Technology in Split has been led by 15 Deans.

Figure 1. The first lecture at the KTF in 1960 in the premises of the Bishop's Palace

The Faculty began its work in the Bishop's Palace in Split, where lectures took place, while laboratory exercises were conducted in the premises of the Pedagogical Academy and the Secondary Medical School in Split. In 1962, the Faculty moved to Teslina 10 in Split (4th and 5th floors), while laboratory exercises were held in the premises of the Industrial School of Chemistry in Kaštel Sućurac. The Faculty operated at these two locations until 2016, when it moved to a new building within the University of Split Campus.

Figure 2. KTF building at Tesla Street 10 (4th and 5th floor)                             Figure 3. Detail from laboratory exercises in Kaštel Sućurac

These early years involved intensive work for the first generation of teachers and assistants in preparing lectures and teaching materials, as well as organising the faculty where scientific, teaching and professional activities took place. The first two years of study (Chemical Technology Study) were conducted according to the curricula and programmes of the Faculty of Technology at the University of Zagreb. In the third year, the curriculum and programme were adapted to the needs of the chemical industry in Dalmatia, and in the eighth semester, elective courses and subjects were introduced, also according to the needs of the chemical industry in Dalmatia: production and processing of plastics, cement production, and electrochemical and electrothermal processes. Already at the end of 1964, the first graduate engineers were promoted at the Faculty of Chemical Technology in Split (this year marks the 54th promotion).

The Faculty of Chemical Technology in Split has also offered postgraduate (master's and doctoral) studies since the academic year 1972/73. Since then, the postgraduate master's study programme in Engineering Chemistry has been available as part of the University of Zagreb.

During this period, the following departments were established: the Department of Analytical Chemistry (1960; founder: Dr Božena Pelech-Tucaković), the Department of Organic Chemistry (1960; founder: Dr Anđelko Damjanić), the Department of Inorganic Chemistry (1961; founder: Dr Stjepan Lipanović), the Department of Physical Chemistry (1961; founder: Dr Ivica Mekjavić), the Department of Chemical Engineering (1961; founder: Dr Milan Zglav), the Department of Inorganic Technology (1962; founder: Dr Ruža Krstulović), the Department of Organic Technology (1963; founder: Dr Urban Roje), the Department of Physics (1960, as a joint department of the Faculty of Chemical Technology in Split and the Faculty of Electrical Engineering in Split; founder: Dr Nikola Cindro), and the Department of Mathematics (1960; founder: Dr Ivan Česnik).

This period was also marked by the founding of the University of Split in 1974, of which the Faculty of Chemical Technology in Split was one of the founders. Until then, it operated under the University of Zagreb.

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

Figure 4. Article from Newspaper "Slobodna Dalmacija" about the first defended graduate theses at KTF

In 1978, the Faculty of Chemical Technology in Split changed its name to the Faculty of Technology Split. Reforms in the higher education system also brought changes to curricula. This period saw increased scientific interest in environmental protection due to the increasingly pronounced anthropogenic impact on the environment. TheFaculty's teachers recognised this, so scientific and professional activities focused on environmental protection, which also became the basis for a new major within the Chemical Technology Study called Environmental Protection (offered from the academic year 1982/83 to 1996/97). In addition to this major, the Chemical Technology Study introduced the major Chemical Technology Processes, with specialisations in Production and Processing of Polymers, Nonmetals, Electrochemical and Electrothermal Processes, Technology of the Sea and Mediterranean Cultures, and Processing of Natural Organic Raw Materials, which werecontinuously offered from the academic year 1985/86 to 1996/97. This period concluded with the introduction of the Chemical Technology study programme (run from the academic year 1997/98 to 2004/05), with specialisations in Chemical-Technological Processes (includingInorganic Materials, Polymeric Materials, Sea and Mediterranean Cultures, and Corrosion and Protection in Maritime Affairs) and Environmental Protection.

At the same time, professional studies were established for the first time at the Faculty:the professional study of Protection and Preservation of the Human Environment (from the academic year 1977/78 to 1979/80), the professional study of Chemical Technology with specialisations inProcess Technology (from 1980/81 to 1997/98), Polymer Technology (from 1980/81 to 1985/86), and Polymer Processing and Application (from 1986/87 to 1997/98). The fundamental goal of all changes to the study programmes was to train chemical technology graduates not only to improve existing technologies but also to design new ones.

A postgraduate master's study called Chemistry and Technology of Macromolecules was conducted in the academic year 1979/80 within the University of Zagreb, while since the academic year 1983/84, postgraduate studies of the Faculty have been carried out within the University of Split. At that time, postgraduate master's studies were organised under the names Polymer Engineering, Non-Metal Engineering and Marine Technology, and Electrochemical and Electrothermal Engineering, which continueduntil the introduction of study programmes according to the principles of the Bologna Declaration.

During this period, the Department of Thermodynamics was founded (1982, by Dr Sc. Nediljka Petric) and the Department of Electrochemistry and Materials Protection (1991, by Dr Sc. Jagoda Radošević). Also, in 1978, two departments were established to organise the work of organisational units from the corresponding fields: the Department of Chemistry and Environmental Chemistry and the Department of Engineering and Technologies.

In 1998, the Faculty of Technology in Split changed its name to the Faculty of Chemical Technology in Split. During this period, there was a significant decline in industrial production in Croatia, particularly in Dalmatia, as large industrial plants such as Jugovinil, Jugoplastika, Cetinka, Dalmatia – Dugi Rat, and TLM – Šibenik either ceased operations or operated at much lower capacities. At the same time, there was a growing trend towards developing small and medium-sized plants for the production of specialised materials and products subject to complex environmental protection requirements. Consequently, faced with changes in the structure of industrial production and related shifts in the labour market, the Faculty of Chemical Technology undertook a new adaptation of its study programmes and introduced new ones. The Faculty recognised the importance of the food industry, which led to the introduction of the Chemistry and Technology of Mediterranean Crops major (offered from 2001/02 to 2004/05) as part of the Chemical Technology study programme. In cooperation with the Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry (FBF) of the University of Zagreb, the first two years of the university study of Pharmacy, following the FBF curriculum, were conducted at the Faculty of Chemical Technology in Split in the academic years 2003/2004 to 2005/2006. After completing this part of the study, students continued their third and fourth years at the Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb. Professional studies also underwent changes, so from the academic year 2001/02 to 2004/05, the professional undergraduate study of Chemical Technology was conducted with specialisations in Chemical Technology and Food Technology.

From the academic year 2005/06, the Faculty of Chemical Technology in Split has organised all its study programmes according to the principles of the Bologna Declaration, following the 3+2+3 model, i.e. through three levels: undergraduate (three years), graduate (two years), and postgraduate doctoral study (three years). Thus, from the academic year 2005/06, the undergraduate university study in Chemical Technology with specialisations in Chemical Engineering and Environmental Protection was introduced. In the same academic year, the Faculty of Chemical Technology organised and conducted the undergraduate university study in Chemistry for the first time. From the academic year 2008/09, the graduate university study in Chemical Technology with specialisations in Materials, Environmental Protection, and Mediterranean Cultures, as well as the graduate university study in Chemistry (specialisations: Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Environmental Chemistry), have been conducted. From the academic year 2010/11, an integrated undergraduate and graduate university study programme in Pharmacy has been established and implemented in cooperation with the Faculty of Medicine in Split. From the academic year 2015/16, an undergraduate university study programme in Food Technology has been offered, and from 2018/19, a graduate university study programme in Food Technology. Finally, from the academic year 2019/20, a graduate university study programme in English in Chemical and Environmental Technology has been implemented in partnership with the Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, University of Zagreb, which is also the holder of the study programme.

The Bologna process also influenced the professional studies of the Faculty. From the academic year 2005/06 to 2014/15, a professional study programme in Chemical Technology (short professional study programme) was implemented with majors in Chemical Technology, Materials, and Food Technology. From 2015/16 to 2019/20, the undergraduate professional study programme "Material Protection and Recovery" was offered.

Regarding postgraduate doctoral studies, the study programme "Chemical Engineering in Materials Development" has been offered since the academic year 2004/05, "Chemical Engineering in Materials Development and Environmental Protection" since 2008/09, and "Chemistry of the Mediterranean Environment" since 2012/13.

During this period, the Department of Biochemistry (2003, founded by Dr Mladen Miloš), the Department of Environmental Chemistry (2005, founded by Dr Marija Bralić), and the Department of Food Technology and Biotechnology (2006, founded by Dr Višnja Katalinić) were established. In 2000, the Department of Chemistry and Environmental Chemistry and the Department of Engineering and Technology were renamed as the Department of Chemistry and the Department of Engineering and Technology, respectively.
The most significant event in the recent history of the faculty is undoubtedly the relocation to the university campus on 1 February 2016. In scientific, teaching, and professional activities, the Faculty operated at Teslina 10 for 54 years, while laboratory exercises were conducted in separate laboratories in Kaštel Sućurac for 56 years. The facilities and infrastructure at Teslina 10 were among the main obstacles to the Faculty's development. The separate laboratories in Kaštel Sućurac could no longer meet the increasingly demanding requirements for studying at the Faculty of Technology regarding space and infrastructure. From 1 February 2016, KTF was granted by the University of Split the use of part of the new building of the "three faculties" (Faculty of Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Science and Faculty of Maritime Studies) located on the University campus at Ruđera Boškovića 35.

Figure 5. New building on the University of Split Campus

After obtaining the necessary permits for the laboratory's operation, as of 1 October 2017, scientific, teaching and professional work, supported by modern infrastructure, is taking place in one location for the first time. In the new building, KTF has 28 student laboratories (each with an area of 50 m²), 3 semi-industrial laboratories (each with an area of 50 m²), 24 scientific laboratories (each with an area of 25 m²), a space for preparing laboratory exercises (154 m²), a special-purpose space (60 m²), a chemical warehouse (50 m²) and a waste chemical warehouse (50 m²), bringing the total usable laboratory area to 2,150 m², an increase of 65% compared to before. In the new building, KTF also has 9 lecture rooms, 1 amphitheatre and a computer lab with a total area of about 700 m², representing a 43% increase compared to before.

Since 2019, the Faculty has been implementing an infrastructure project entitled "Functional Integration of the University of Split, PMF-ST, PF-ST and KTF-ST through the Development of Scientific and Research Infrastructure in the Building of Three Faculties", which has already procured scientific equipment worth around 10 million kuna. By the project's completion, the total value of installed equipment at KTF should reach 25 million kuna. The implementation of this project will significantly improve conditions for scientific and research work and equip the remaining laboratories, enabling the new KTF building on the University of Split Campus to achieve full functionality, and allowing scientists and students to work in high-quality conditions. Currently, the Faculty of Chemical Technology in Split has permits for the implementation of all its study programmes as well as for the performance of scientific activities. The first reaccreditation of the Faculty was carried out in 2008, and the most recent in 2015. The Faculty's postgraduate university (doctoral) studies were successfully reaccredited in 2018. All this demonstrates that there is a high-quality teaching and scientific system at KTF. In 2021, the Faculty expects a new external evaluation, from which a further qualitative step forward is anticipated for the next five-year period.

In addition to teaching activities, the Faculty conducts extensive scientific and research activities, making KTF a recognised institution at the University of Split and in the Republic of Croatia. The Faculty's scientists participate in national and international projects as leaders or associates. They are also active in the preparation and organisation of national and international scientific or professional conferences, are members of numerous scientific and professional domestic and international societies, and serve as reviewers of various scientific and professional projects, as well as scientific and professional papers in national and international journals. The Faculty's scientists participate in the work of the relevant main committees for elections in two scientific fields (technical sciences, field of chemical engineering, and natural sciences, field of chemistry) and in regional scientific councils for natural and technical sciences.

Taking into account the area of interest of the Faculty of Chemical Technology and its mission and vision, it is necessary to continue and further develop professional work and cooperation with industry. Professional cooperation with industry and other institutions is essential for the Faculty's positioning in the labour market and for facilitating the employment of graduates of the Faculty of Chemical Technology.

The competences of students who complete their studies at the Faculty of Chemical Technology and their successful integration into the labour market are the best indicators of the quality of work at the Faculty and its best promoters. Students of the Faculty of Chemical Technology have always had a strong sense of connection with the Faculty. Through the Association of Friends and Former Students of the Faculty of Chemical Technology in Split (ALUMNI of the Faculty of Chemical Technology), we strive to maintain mutual contacts and monitor the career development of new generations. Their experiences, as well as those of previous generations, can and should be used to improve the overall quality of work and study at the Faculty of Chemical Technology.

The Faculty of Chemical Technology, through its activities over the past sixty years, has directly influenced the development of its city, Dalmatia and Croatia. We will continue to do so in the future, striving to be the driving force behind the development of our profession and our homeland as a whole.

1. https://www.enciklopedija.hr/natuknica.aspx?id=31154 (19.8.2020.)

2. Kemijsko-tehnološki fakultet u Splitu: 1960. – 2010., Kemijsko-tehnološki fakultet, Split, 2010.