The conference of the Balkan Association of Universities entitled: “Academic Cooperation, Challenges and Future Perspectives in the Balkans” was officially opened with the performance of the anthem of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the academic anthem Gaudeamus.
The rector of the University of Tuzla, Prof. Dr. Nermina Hadžigrahić, Prof. Dr. Soren Costreie vice-rector for international cooperation from the University of Bucharest, rector of Trakya University, Prof. Dr. Erhan Tabakoǧlu, Mayor of Tuzla, Zijad Lugavić, Prime Minister of Tuzla Canton Irfan Halilagić.
The first panel highlighted the importance of university internationalization
The panel entitled “Internationalization at the Balkans’ universities: Potentials and challenges” was chaired by Prof. Dr. Vesna Bratovčić, vice-rector for international cooperation at the University of Tuzla.
Participants in the panel were Prof. Dr. Ismail Kocayusufoǧlu from the Canadian Institute for Technology in Tirana (Albania), Prof. Dr. Agon Memeti from the University of Tetovo (North Macedonia), Prof. Dr. Sabina Halupka-Rešetar from the University of Novi Sad (Serbia), Benjamin Muhamedbegović (HAE BiH), Dženan Omanović (CIP BiH), Ahmed Omerović, Minister of Education and Science of Tuzla Canton.
The first panel at the Conference of the Balkan Association of Universities ended with an address by Altijana Mujić from the Bosnian Future Foundation.
The participants emphasized the importance of teaching in English, international exchange, strengthening technical and professional capacities and cooperation, both within the region and with international partners, joint research initiatives, student exchange programs, and joint development of curricula and programs for the internationalization of universities.
The role of universities in the European integration of the Balkan countries
At the second panel, the participants spoke on the topic “Role of University Networks in the European Integration of the Balkans”.
The panel was chaired by the vice-rector for international cooperation from the University of Bucharest, Prof. Dr. Soren Costrei.
“The whole is more than the sum of its parts,” quoted the philosopher Leibniz as Professor Costreie, himself a professor of philosophy. With this sentence, he told the audience that networking as a whole is key to the development of Balkan universities and their empowerment.
He recommended universities to ensure institutional stability, cultural and scientific creativity, to engage socially, to be a key source of knowledge in society, to be carriers of progress, and to focus on mutual cooperation.
Representatives of the University of Tirana and the University of Montenegro also spoke about the topic.
First part:
Second part:
The first day of the Conference “Academic Cooperation, Challenges, and Future Perspectives in the Balkans” has ended
Related articles:
The second panel of the Conference of the Balkan Association of Universities is underway
THE CONFERENCE “ACADEMIC COOPERATION, CHALLENGES AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES IN THE BALKANS” WAS OPENED