Algebra Bernays University in Croatia is pioneering digital transformation in project management education, transitioning from on-premises Primavera P6 to Oracle Primavera Cloud (OPC). This shift, guided by expert lecturer Marko Šimac, enables students to develop real-world skills using cloud-based tools for planning, risk analysis, and collaboration. OPC’s modern, accessible platform streamlines IT challenges and supports all academic levels. The university’s long time and close collaboration with Oracle Academy and offering of industry certifications and case studies positions graduates at the forefront of digital project management, while fostering continued collaboration between academia, industry, and the global project management community.

On January 29, 2026, project management educators, industry professionals, and Oracle Academy members gathered online for a webinar showcasing how Algebra Bernays University is pioneering digital transformation in project management education, preparing their students with real-world project management skills for a digital future.

A leading Croatian STEM institution, the university has been at the forefront of digital education and is a founding Oracle Academy member institution in the country. Its faculty’s commitment to hands-on learning led it to introduce Oracle Primavera—renowned globally for its robust project portfolio management (PPM) capabilities—into their curricula from the early 2000s.

University PPM education evolves from on-premises to cloud

Today, driven by the expertise of Marko Šimac (lecturer, construction engineer, and former PMI Croatia president), the university continues to evolve. The move from Primavera’s on-premises P6 EPPM to the cloud-based OPC was a natural next step, reflecting broader industry trends toward software as a service (SaaS) solutions.

Marko’s extensive experience, spanning Croatia’s largest infrastructure projects and digital transformation efforts, showcases the power of centralizing project data with tools like Primavera. In the construction industry, digital project management systems enable real-time progress tracking, schedule and resource management, cost analysis, risk management, and seamless reporting. The shift to the cloud streamlines these benefits, removing the need for IT support and allowing users to collaborate from any location.

Primavera P6 EPPM (On-Premises) is a powerful, industry-standard CPM scheduling tool that offers strong portfolio features and is suited to organizations with established infrastructure and specialized personnel. It requires dedicated IT support for server installations, maintenance, and updates. OPCis cloud-native SaaS, and as such requires no installation or maintenance and is accessible anywhere, on any device. It brings modern, browser-based UI, and is highly scalable, with automatic updates and strong help features. It also includes embedded risk management (including Monte Carlo simulations), rich scheduling, and mobile access features.

OPC helps learning at all levels

At Algebra Bernays University, OPC was integrated across different academic levels—from undergraduate to MBA. For less-experienced students, practical learning and guided exercises are essential, while advanced learners are able to explore portfolio and risk management strategies, applying different industry frameworks and standards.

Marko’s approach is gradual: freshmen start with foundations and then progress toward digital tool usage, while MBA students engage in complex scenario planning, portfolio structuring, and risk analysis directly within OPC. Assignments mirror the real world: building project charters, populating work breakdown structures, managing resource pools, tracking schedules, and utilizing risk registers and Monte Carlo simulation features.

OPC’s cloud nature simplifies access: lecturers create user accounts, assign roles, and manage groups with a few clicks. Students gain hands-on experience with market-leading tools—aligning coursework with industry best practices.

Through examples such as Croatia’s Pelješac Bridge, known as the country’s “architectural project of the XXI century,” Marko illustrated how BIM (Building Information Modeling), digital dashboards, and integrated cloud tools drive better outcomes across a project’s life cycle—from planning to execution and maintenance. The practical application of digital tools prepares students to tackle large-scale, real-world challenges.

Student setup in Oracle Primavera Cloud involves creating user accounts, assigning permissions, and organizing projects or groups—best done by copying role profiles for efficiency. While user administration can be time-consuming, the cloud platform greatly reduces IT barriers and supports collaborative work.

Professional certifications are next step in filling industry workforce needs

The PMI Construction Professional (PMICP) certification addresses an industry need: specializing project management skills for construction and aligning with digital transformation trends. Marko, as PMI’s Construction Ambassador in Croatia, advocates for the transition from analog to digital processes, with significant benefits for both educators and practitioners.

He also advised educators on obtaining real-life project case studies. In fields like infrastructure, confidentiality is critical. Partnering with industry, forming formal agreements, and requesting data via official channels can open doors—while public presentations and academic partnerships facilitate sharing of best practices without compromising security.

Algebra Bernays University’s collaboration with Oracle Academy and its adoption of Oracle Primavera Cloud exemplifies the future of project management education. By capturing the most relevant, industry-aligned skills and tools for tomorrow’s professionals, it models how universities can lead digital transformation in engineering and project management. The webinar concluded with an invitation to connect, collaborate, and continue sharing best practices through the Oracle Academy and PM communities. Recordings and resources are available to registered participants. Ongoing dialogue continues to build a stronger bridge between academia, the IT industry, and the PM profession.

Learn more about Oracle Academy project management curriculum.