The University of Sarajevo was the host of the 8th meeting of the Rectors’ Forum of Southeast Europe and the Western Balkans, held on May 30 and 31. The meeting gathered 54 representatives from 21 institutions, including 8 rectors and more than 12 vice-rectors, whose aim is to strengthen cooperation between universities in Southeast Europe and the Western Balkans in the fields of education, research and innovation.
The welcome address was delivered by Prof. Rifat Škrijelj, Ph.D., Rector of the University of Sarajevo, who emphasized that while we are moving through the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century, it is imperative that we have more intercultural dialogue. He elaborated: ”As we navigate the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century, it is imperative that we foster greater collaboration and cooperation among our institutions. By sharing our experiences, resources, and best practices, we can build a stronger, more resilient higher education ecosystem that benefits all our students and researchers.I strongly believe in the power of regional cooperation and university autonomy. Our universities have the potential to steer our countries towards a more positive and progressive direction. This belief has guided my efforts throughout my tenure, and it remains a cornerstone of my vision for the future.” The participants were also welcomed by the current President of the Rectors’ Forum, Prof. Snježana Prijić-Samaržija, Ph.D., Rector of the University of Rijeka.
The first day of the Rectors’ Forum focused on the future of universities. Anna-Lena Claeys-Kulik and Thomas Ekman Jørgensen, the authors of two influential EUA documents published earlier this year, introduced the participants with the topic. The documents are the result of the UniFE project, one of the most influential and important initiatives of the European University Association. The innovative approach of the report lies in the description of four possible futures for our continent and in the analysis of the impact of these futures on our sector, in particular on transnational university cooperation.
The presentation was followed by a debate and reflection by the university leaders, including Prof. Biljana Angelova, Ph.D., Rector of Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Prof. Enita Nakaš, Ph.D., Vice-Rector for Int. Cooperation of the University of Sarajevo, Prof. Igor Nedelkovski, Ph.D., Rector of the University of Bitola, and Prof. Gregor Majdič, Rector of the University of Ljubljana, who discussed the potential and various future perspectives of higher education, research, and innovation across Europe, with a special focus on Southeast Europe and the Western Balkans. The panel discussion was moderated by Prof. Snježana Prijić-Samaržija, Ph.D., Rector of the University of Rijeka.
The regional cooperation within the Rectors’ Forum was initiated several years ago, and over the past years, the universities of Rijeka, Belgrade, and Ljubljana worked together to ensure the successful work of the Forum as an imporatant key regional higher education network. As a continuation of that successful cooperation, several universities in the region have committed to join and cooperate with the network of Centres for Advanced Studies (CAS) and have signed the Agreement on the Regional CAS Network. The University of Rijeka, the University of Belgrade, the University of Montenegro, the University of SS. Cyril and Methodius, the University of Sarajevo, the University of Prishtina Hasan Prishtina, the University of Tirana, and the University of Ljubljana will henceforth encourage and support all postdoctoral research and young researchers, all under the leadership of the University of Rijeka.
The second day of the Forum was dedicated to the 4th Eutopia More workshop on research funding at international, national and institutional level. During the workshop, representatives from the Slovenian Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, the University of Sarajevo, the University of Belgrade, the University of Rijeka, Babeş-Bolyai University, and the University of Ljubljana presented examples of research funding, practises and challenges they face. Two Vice-rectors of the University of Rijeka, Professors Gordan Jelenić and Marta Žuvić, participated in the working groups and the workshop.
The members of the Rectors’ Forum will meet again in September at the University of Bitola to discuss the possibility of creating a corporate identity for the Forum and new initiatives for membership.
