Gordana Nikolić, PhD is the Dean and founder of PAR University College in Croatia. She is still the only women in Croatia who is the owner of private higher education institution. For her work she received a several awards, out of which the most important one is for the Women entrepreneur of the year in Croatia in 2014. She also award in 2015., for outstanding international achievements in promoting science, education and entrepreneurship of women in the countries of the region. For extraordinary contribution in the field of higher education and entrepreneurship in her city she received the special award in 2016.
Fifteen years ago she had a clear vision and founded PAR as a Business Academy Rijeka. After years of hard work and determination, PAR became an University College. When Gordana first founded PAR, it only had a few students and employees, today PAR is an institution with five study programs, five hundred students, two hundred alumni students and a lot of awards and acknowledgments for being the leading private University in the Adriatic Coast. With her leadership and positive energy Gordana has created an institution where creativity meets knowledge, an institution that not only teaches and forms young people but that also has a positive impact on society. Through tuition fonds PAR helps many young people that don’t have the possibilities to fund their education. PAR also organizes many events that support female entrepreneurship and helps young women to develop their business ideas like Gordana did.
Through being responsible, creative, innovative and always ahead of time, Gordana is an example to all young people. She motivates everyone around her and is always there for her students and employees. She always likes to say that her greatest success is the success of her students and employees, and that makes her an amazing leader and a person that positively changes our society.
She has been included in the book 100 Croatian Leaders where she reflected on important events that she considered crucial for her success.
Among the most significant international recognitions, professor Gordana Nikolic,PhD points out the "Exceptional Women of Excellence 2018" award presented at the World Women Economic Forum.
