A Tribute to Integrity, Knowledge, and Friendship: Remembering Professors Marijan Cingula and Dejan Kružić

Today, we gather with a unique blend of sorrow and pride. Sorrow, because we have lost two of our dear friends and distinguished members of the academic community, Professor Marijan Cingula and Professor Dejan KruZié; and pride - because we had the privilege to call them our friends.

Proud sorrow - if such a feeling exists - reflects the honour of having known them, worked alongside them, and learned from them. In this session, we wish to pay tribute to their outstanding professional contributions, their human virtues, and the enduring values they embodied. This is but a modest yet heartfelt expression of gratitude for the indelible mark they have left on our lives.

Professor Marijan Cingula was a leading expert in corporate governance and organisational studies, whose professional contribution is immeasurable. Through his work, he set high standards in the fields of organisation, strategic management, and corporate governance.

As a professor at the University of Zagreb, serving at both the Faculty of Economics and Business and the Faculty of Organisation and Informatics, he nurtured generations of students. His work spanned everything from theoretical foundations to practical application - he was a pioneer in introducing modern corporate governance standards in Croatia. Marijan made a significant contribution to the establishment of Croatia's first securities market in VaraZdin, translating his academic expertise in capital markets and organisation into a concrete project of national importance.

Within academic circles, Marijan Cingula was regarded as an authority, an outstanding lecturer, and a mentor of distinction. He published numerous scientific and professional papers and participated in international research projects. He was an active member of the professional community and the first elected president of the HUCNO - Association of Certified Supervisory Board Members, where he strongly promoted ethics, knowledge, and accountability in corporate governance.

For his work, he received numerous accolades, including awards for his contribution to the profession and society. Marijan's influence extended far beyond the university - from participation in European research initiatives to engagement with the local community. He left an immeasurable legacy in the institutions where he worked and in the hearts of his colleagues.

With his enthusiasm, knowledge, and selfless dedication, he made a valuable entrepreneurial and scientific contribution to the development of more than a hundred international ESD conferences, leaving a distinct mark that remains visible today.

Yet beyond his impressive career, our dear Marijan was the embodiment of quiet, unobtrusive kindness, which radiated from his every action. His very presence brought peace, understanding, and genuine warmth to every situation. Marijan's greatness was not in grand words, but in small, powerful acts of care and attention for others.

In a time when superficiality and haste often became the norm, Marijan remained true to his values - patient, sincere, and always willing to help, never seeking recognition. His kindness was not merely a personal virtue, but a beacon that illuminated the path for all around him.

His example remains a lasting inspiration - a quiet strength that transcends words and lives on in every memory that holds him.

Professor Dejan KruZié will be remembered as an expert in entrepreneurship, management, and financial restructuring - a man who bridged academic excellence with practical engagement in the community.

Through his work at the Faculty of Economics at University of in Split, he nurtured an entire generation of young economists and entrepreneurs. As a university professor and researcher, he published numerous scientific and professional works and participated in conferences and projects, sharing his knowledge with colleagues in Croatia and abroad.

His academic career was impressive, but perhaps even more remarkable was his dedication to applying knowledge in practice. Alongside his academic and teaching roles, he built a managerial career - holding leading positions in business and advising companies and institutions. In doing so, he lived what he taught: the entrepreneurial spirit and the readiness to restructure for the greater good. Dejan seamlessly combined academic theory with action for public benefit, putting his economic expertise at the service of society.

It is no coincidence, then, that last year (2024), he was awarded the City of Split's Lifetime Achievement Award for his entire scientific oeuvre, his dedicated work, and his public engagement in protecting the interests of the city and its citizens. In this way, his beloved city honoured him for decades of tireless contribution.

As with Marijan, I wish to highlight the great human qualities of our Dejan.

Justice and truthfulness were among the first traits one noticed about him - he was never afraid to speak the truth or face challenges, no matter how complex. He possessed a sharp wit that brought cheer to every discussion. We all loved that smile of his that would emerge when he wittily commented on a situation - often, his humour was precisely what broke the tension and reminded us, amidst the seriousness of our work, not to lose sight of our humanity.

In addition to his humour, Dejan was marked by his directness and goodness. He communicated warmly and openly, without unnecessary formality, always getting straight to the heart of the matter. His openness created an atmosphere of trust - we knew we could always rely on his honest opinion and advice.

He was a truly fascinating man, and we deeply valued his inexhaustible energy and readiness to help. That combination of courage, spirit, and humanity made him truly exceptional.

Marijan and Dejan had different personalities, yet they shared fundamental values that made them great.

Above all, they were bound by their endless honesty. In a time full of challenges, they uncompromisingly upheld ethics and truth. Never did they put personal interests before principles - whether in student assessment, project management, or public service, integrity was always their guiding star. That honesty instilled trust in everyone who knew them: we could be certain that their words and actions were always aligned.

Their dedication to the community was neither fleeting nor superficial; they consistently gave of themselves without reservation, believing that true values are built through serving others and selfless contribution to the common good.

Marijan and Dejan were great men and true friends in the fullest sense of those words.

There was no rivalry or vanity in their dealings with others; on the contrary, they celebrated our successes as if they were their own. Their shared legacy is one of selflessness, evident in every act they undertook - always ready to invest extra effort, energy, and knowledge for the benefit of others, seeking nothing in return. How rare such a quality is!

This kind of friendship created a small circle of people around them who loved and valued them not only for their knowledge but for who they were as human beings.

We were proud to be part of their universe.

The OFEL Conference, to which they both contributed over many years and whose reputation they helped build, is also part of their legacy. Their ideas, standards, and spirit of collaboration are embedded in the very foundations of this gathering.

Allow me, finally, a personal note. Professionally, they taught me that a professor is not merely a lecturer and researcher, but also a role model - through their own conduct, they showed how knowledge carries responsibility and how one must approach that responsibility with honour and devotion.

On a human level, they taught me that kindness, noble behaviour, and integrity are worth just as much as all titles and bibliographies.

Their impact on my life has been profound; it is hard to imagine that I will no longer be able to hear Marijan's calm reflections and his wonder at the world we live in; or Dejan's witty and intelligent remarks that would turn any argument upside down and offer a new, unexpected perspective. I miss them both dearly, profoundly.

Two of my comrades who have departed from this fragile walnut shell on the stormy sea of life.

Marijan - always patient, would listen to me carefully, advise me, and stand with me without reservation through all of life's storms. "My dear friend," he would say, "everything will be alright."

And Dejan - with his comradeship, contagious enthusiasm, and humour, often with a touch of cynical commentary towards the boundless foolishness around us, would find a way to help us weather every storm with a smile. "Come on, my supreme sharp observer," he would call me in his distinctive, tobacco-scratched voice, "they're not worth a second of our time!"

Our world, without the presence of such people, such giants of selflessness, becomes increasingly impoverished and colder.

A world of ice, selfishness, malice, alienation, and hypocrisy. A maimed world.

A world where even a single grain of humanity and friendship, if it still exists, holds the weight of all the world's treasures.

Thank you, Dejan and Marijan, for your friendship. Thank you for making me a better man than I was.

(This address was delivered at a special memorial session of the OFEL Conference in honour of Professors Marijan Cingula and Dejan KruzZic.)

Postovani kolegice i kolege, dragi prijatelji i sudionici OFEL konferencije,

okupljeni smo danas s posebnom mjeSavinom tuge i ponosa. Tuge, jer smo izgubili dvojicu nasih prijatelja i istaknutih ¢lanova akademske zajednice, prof. dr. sc. Marijana Cingulu i prof. dr. sc. Dejana KruZica, a ponosa - jer smo im bili prijatelji.

Ponosna tuga - ako takav osjecaj postoji - znaci povlasticu poznavati ih, raditi $ njima i uciti od njih. Danas na ovoj sesiji Zelimo odati pocast njihovim iznimnim profesionalnim doprinosima, ljudskim vrlinama i trajnim vrijednostima koje su utjelovili. To je skroman, ali iskren izraz zahvalnosti za trag koji su ostavili u naSim Zivotima.

Profesor Marijan Cingula bio je veliki struénjak za korporativno upravljanje 1 organizaciju Ciji je profesionalni doprinos nemjerljiv. Svojim je radom postavio visoke standarde u podruéjima organizacije, strateSkog menadZmenta i korporativnog upravljanja. Kao profesor na SveuciliStu u Zagrebu, radeci na Ekonomskom fakultetu u Zagrebu i Fakultetu organizacije i informatike, odgojio je generacije studenata. Njegovo podrucje rada obuhvacalo je sve od teorijskih temelja do primjene u praksi - bio je pionir u uvodenju suvremenih standarda korporativnog upravljanja u Hrvatskoj. Marijan je dao velik doprinos osnivanju prvog hrvatskog trZista vrijednosnica u Varazdinu, cime je svoje akademsko znanje o trZistima kapitala i organizaciji pret°Cio u konkretan projekt od nacionalne vaZnosti.

U akademskim krugovima, Marijan Cingula vazio je za autoritet, odliénog predavaca i mentora. Objavio je brojne znanstvene i struéne te sudjelovao u medunarodnim znanstvenim projektima. Bio je aktivan Clan struke i prvi izabrani predsjednik Udruge certificiranih ¢lanova nadzornih odbora, gdje je snazno promicao etičnost, znanje 1 odgovornost u korporativnom upravljanju. Za svoj rad primio je niz priznanja, medu kojima i odlikovanja za doprinos struci i drustvu.

Njegov utjecaj se osjecao i izvan sveuciliSta - od sudjelovanja u europskim istrazivackim inicijativama do angaZmana u lokalnoj zajednici. Marijan je ostavio nemjerljiv trag na institucijama u kojima je djelovao i u srcima kolega. On je svojim entuzijazmom, znanjem i nesebičnim angaZmanom dao vrijedan poduzetnicki i znanstveni doprinos u oblikovanju i razvoju preko stotinu medunarodnih ESD konferencija, ostavljajuci prepoznatljiv pecat koji i danas vidimo.

No, osim dojmljive karijere, Nas dobri Marijan je bio utjelovljenje tihe, nenametljive dobrote koja je zracila iz svakog njegovog postupka. Njegova prisutnost unosila je mir, razumijevanje i iskrenu toplinu u svaku situaciju.

Posebnost Marijana nije bila u velikim riječima, nego u malim, ali snaZnim djelima paZnje i brige za druge. U vremenu kada su povrsnost i Zurba Cesto postajale pravilo, Marijan je ostajao vjeran svojim vrijednostima - strpljiv, iskren i uvijek spreman pomoci, bez ikakve teznje za priznanjima. Njegova dobrota nije bila samo osobna vrlina, vec svjetionik koji je osvjetljavao put svima oko njega.

Njegov primjer je nasa trajna inspiracija - tiha snaga koja nadilazi rijeci i ostaje Ziva u svakom sjeéanju koje ga nosi.

Profesor Dejan KruzZié ostat Се upaméen kao struénjak za poduzetnistvo, menad7ment i financijsko restrukturiranje, covjek koji je spojio akademsku izvrsnost s praktiénim djelovanjem u zajednici. Kroz svoj rad na Ekonomskom fakultetu u Splitu odgojio je Citav narastaj mladih ekonomista i poduzetnika. Kao sveuciliSni profesor i znanstvenik, objavio je brojne znanstvene i struéne radove te je sudjelovao na konferencijama i projektima, dijeleéi svoja saznanja $ kolegama u Hrvatskoj i inozemstvu. Njegova akademska karijera bila je dojmljiva, no moZzda jos primjetnija bila je njegova posveéenost primjeni znanja u praksi. Uz znanstveni i nastavni rad ostvario je menadZersku karijeru - radio je na rukovodeéim pozicijama u gospodarstvu i savjetovao tvrtke i institucije. Time je Zivio ono Sto je predavao: poduzetnicki duh i spremnost na restrukturiranje za opée dobro. Dejan je spajao akademsku teoriju s djelovanjem za javno dobro, stavljajuéi svoje ekonomsko znanje и sluzbu drustva.

Nije stoga slucajno da je prosle godine (2024.) dobio Nagradu Grada Splita za Zivotno djelo za cjelokupan znanstveni opus, predani rad i javno djelovanje usmjereno na zastitu interesa grada i gradana Splita. Time mu se njegov voljeni grad oduZio za desetljeéa predanog rada.

Kao i kod Marijana, Zelim istaknuti velike ljudske kvalitete naSeg Dejana. Pravednost 1 istinoljubivost bila jedna od prvih osobina koju ste primijetili kod Dejana - nije se bojao reci istinu niti suociti s izazovima, ma koliko kompleksni bili. Imao je britki humor koji je unosio vedrinu u svaku raspravu. Svi smo voljeli taj njegov osmijeh koji bi se pojavio kada bi duhovito prokomentirao neku situaciju- Cesto je upravo njegov vic razbijao napetost i podsjeéao nas da unatoc ozbiljnosti posla ne zaboravimo ljudskost.

Uz humor, krasila ga je i neposrednost i dobrota. Dejan je komunicirao srdaëno i otvoreno, bez suvisnih formalnosti, uvijek ravno u srZ problema. Ta njegova otvorenost stvarala je ozracje povjerenja - znali smo da od njega uvijek moZemo dobiti miSljenje i savjet. Bio je jako zanimljiv Covjek, cijenili smo jako njegovu nepresusnu energiju i spremnost da pomogne. Ta kombinacija hrabrosti, duha i ljudskosti ucinila ga je doista posebnim.

Marijan i Dejan su imali razlicite osobnosti, ali dijelili su temeljne vrijednosti koje su ih Cinile velikima. Prije svega, obojicu je krasila beskrajno postenje. U vremenu punom izazova, oni su beskompromisno drzali do etike i istine. Nikada nisu svoje osobne interese stavljali ispred principa - bilo da je riječ o ocjenjivanju studenata, vodenju projekta ili sluzenju drustvu, integritet im je uvijek bio zvijezda vodilja. Ta postenost ulijevala je povjerenje svima koji su ih poznavali: znali smo da su njihove rijeci i djela u skladu. Njihova predanost zajednici nije bila trenutna ili роуг$па; dosljedno su davali sebe bez zadrSke, vjerujuéi da se istinske vrijednosti grade kroz sluZenje drugima i nesebican doprinos opéem dobru.

Marijan i Dejan bili su veliki ljudi i dobri prijatelji u punom znacenju tih rijeci. Nije bilo rivalstva ni sujete u njihovom ophodenju; naprotiv, radovali su se nasim uspjesima kao da su njihovi. Njihova zajedniCka ostavStina obuhvaéa nesebiénost koja se ocitovala u svakom njihovom djelovanju - i Marijan i Dejan uvijek su bili spremni uloZiti dodatni trud, energiju i znanje za dobrobit drugih, ne traZeci niSta zauzvrat. Kako je to rijetka osobina! Takvo prijateljsko ponasanje stvorilo je oko njih mali krug bliskih ljudi koji su ih voljeli i cijenili ne samo zbog znanja koje su imali, nego i zbog toga kakvi su bili kao ljudi. Bili smo ponosni dio njihova svemira.

OFEL konferencija, na kojoj su obojica godinama sudjelovali i doprinosili njezinom ugledu, takoder je dio njihovog naslijeda. Njihove ideje, standardi i duh suradnje ugradeni su u temelje ovog skupa.

Dopustite mi naposljetku i osobnu notu. Profesionalno, naucili su me da profesor nije samo predavac i istraZivaé nego i uzor - kroz vlastito ponaSanje pokazali su kako znanje nosi odgovornost i kako se prema toj odgovornosti odnositi Cestito i predano.

Ljudski, naucili su me da dobrota, plemenito ponaSanje i integritet vrijede jednako kao i sve titule i bibliografija. Njihov trag u mojem Zivotu ogroman je; tesko mi je zamisliti da vise necu modi Cuti Marijanovo smireno promisljanje i njegovu zacudnost o svijetu u kojem Zivimo; ili Dejanovu duhovitu i inteligentnu upadicu koja sve teze krece naopacke i dovodi и ne°Cekivanu perspektivu. Nedostaju mi jako, jako, njih dvojica. Dvojica mojih drugova koja su napustila ovu krhku orahovu ljusku na uzburkanom moru Zivota.

Marijan - uvijek strpljiv, pazljivo bi me poslusao, savjetovao i uvijek bezrezervno samnom u svim mojim Zivotnim olujama. ,Dobri moj,", govorio mi je, ,sve Ce biti u redu".

A Dejan - sa svojim drugarstvom, zaraznim entuzijazmom i Salom, Cesto i ciniénim diskursom prema bezgraniénoj gluposti oko nas, pronalazio je nacin da prebrodimo zajedno sve nevere s osmijehom. "Hajde moj vrhovni ostri motritelju"- tako me je zvao govoreci svojim prepoznatljivim, duhanom izgrebenim glasom „oni ne zasluZuju ni jednu sekundu naseg vremena!".

Nas svijet bez prisutnosti takvih ljudi, takvih gromada sebedarja, postaje sve siromasniji i hladniji.

Svijet leda, sebicnosti, Zloce, otudenosti i prijetvornosti. Svijet okljastren. Svijet u kojem samo jedno zrnce ljudskosti i prijateljstva, ako postoji i opstoji, ima teZinu svog bogatstva ovog svijeta.

Hvala Dejanu i Marijanu na prijateljstvu. Hvala im Sto su me ucinili boljim ¢ovjekom nego Sto sam bio.

(Ovaj govor odrzan je na posebnoj memorijalnoj sesiji OFEL konferencije и cast prof. Marijana Cingule i prof. Dejana Kruzica.)