Last week, the University of Ljubljana hosted the 11th Rectors’ Forum of Southeast Europe and the Western Balkans and the EUTOPIA Western Balkans Conference, both of which were entirely dedicated to strengthening cooperation between universities and the business sector. The event brought together rectors and vice-rectors from 34 universities in the region, as well as representatives of EUTOPIA, with the aim of exchanging best practices and developing strategies for faster knowledge transfer into practice.
The discussions focused on the transformation of the role of universities in today’s knowledge economy. While the fundamental mission of universities remains the imparting of broad knowledge and critical thinking, their integration into innovation ecosystems is becoming crucial for the region’s economic development.
“At a time when bridges are being torn down around the world, it is all the more important for the academic community to remain connected at both the local and global levels. We, as the university, are the ones who have guided the development of society over the centuries, and we still bear that responsibility today. Networks such as the Rectors’ Forum of Southeast Europe and the Western Balkans facilitate the exchange of experiences and opinions and help bridge the gaps between countries and nations. Only a strong and united academic community will be able to overcome divisions in the world and contribute to making the world a better place for all its inhabitants. The Rectors’ Forum of Southeast Europe and the Western Balkans also plays an important role in regional integration in light of the region’s rapprochement with the European Union, as well as in preserving academic freedom and the independence of universities, which is often threatened in this very region,”
said the Rector of the University of Ljubljana, Prof. Dr. Gregor Majdič, addressing the gathering.
Secretary General Prof. Dr. Ivan Svetlik added:
“The Rectors’ Forum already brings together 36 universities from the Western Balkans and Southeast Europe with the aim of promoting mutual cooperation and improving their standing both at home and in the region. At this year’s meeting, three members of the EUTOPIA Alliance joined the Forum’s 13 existing members. The purpose of the meeting was to raise awareness and exchange experiences regarding the circulation of knowledge among universities, economic, and other organisations, both in the preparation and implementation of study programs and in research and development work. The main focus was on long-term strategic collaboration between the two spheres, micro-credentials, innovative approaches to the design and implementation of study programs, and the role of university support services in this process.”
Programme Highlights: Space, Technology Transfer, and Academic Programmes
The first day of the meeting was devoted to the Rectors’ Forum assembly and a visit to the Vesolje-SI Center of Excellence at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering at the University of Ljubljana, where participants viewed concrete examples of high-tech collaboration.
The keynote address was delivered by Prof. Dr. Robert Wagenaar from the University of Groningen, who shed light on the future of higher education, which must be competency-oriented while also fostering a sense of responsibility. In his lecture, he highlighted key events over the past 50 years that have contributed to higher education institutions no longer being mere repositories of knowledge, but rather becoming spaces for active dialogue between civil society, the economy, and politics. In this context, internationalization is of key importance, as it contributes to the circulation of knowledge and experience not only among students, but also among academic staff and administrative workers. In this regard, Prof. Dr. Wagenaar highlighted micro-credentials as an example of good practice for acquiring additional knowledge that complements the core study process.
On the second day, experts from various fields presented practical solutions for closer ties with industry. Mag. Marjana Majerič (Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia) and Duša Marjetič (Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation of the Republic of Slovenia) presented systemic support and a vision for integrating higher education with the economy.Mag. Marjetič emphasized that the initiative also comes from the Chamber of Commerce. An example of good practice in cooperation between the university and the business sector was presented by Dr. Jure Vajs from the company Lek, who highlighted the exceptional quality of doctoral students’ knowledge and their significant contribution to development, research, and innovation within the company. He also highlighted the importance of early talent identification and the inclusion of young professionals in development processes, as this contributes both to the success of the economy and to the development of cutting-edge knowledge and competencies.
Best practices in the transfer of academic knowledge into practice were presented by Simona Rataj, from the Office for Knowledge Transfer at the University of Ljubljana, and Tuur Roels from Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB).
There was a strong emphasis on solutions for adapting curricula more quickly to market needs. This topic was discussed by Prof. Dr. Andrej Kos from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at the University of Ljubljana and Prof. Sara Bonesso from Ca’ Foscari University of Venice. Prof. Kos highlighted the importance of adapting the content of study programs to the demands of the times, society, and the labor market, emphasizing interdisciplinarity and the possibility of shorter education and training programs leading to micro-credentials. Prof. Bonesso presented positive experiences with collaboration with companies, which are integrated into the study process at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice (Italy)—also a member of the EUTOPIA Alliance—in the form of project work for students.
Together for a stronger region
The conference concluded with a roundtable discussion in which representatives from universities in Ljubljana, the Western Balkans region, and the EUTOPIA network discussed the integration of industry experts into the educational process and joint research initiatives.
Participants in the roundtable included Prof. Dr. Ksenija Vidmar Horvat, Vice Rector for study and student affairs, at the University of Ljubljana, Prof. Vladi Finotto from Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Tuur Roels, Office for Knowledge Transfer at VUB, and Prof. Dr. Igor Nedelkovski, Rector of the University of St. Clement of Ohrid (Bitola).
Participants presented various aspects of university-business collaboration and emphasized that this cooperation is crucial for the further development of both sectors and for strengthening the knowledge society. In this context, the university is not merely a place for acquiring theoretical knowledge, but an important partner to the business sector in the development of innovation, research, and the workforce of the future.
It was also emphasized that, despite rapid changes and the demands of the labor market, the university must maintain its broader educational and research role. Through high-quality programs across various fields of study, it provides individuals with a solid professional foundation that enables them to successfully enter the labor market after graduation and offers sufficient flexibility to adapt to the specific requirements and challenges of individual jobs. It is precisely the integration of academic knowledge with practical business experience that creates an environment in which new ideas, competencies, and development opportunities for society as a whole emerge.
Participants agreed that regional cooperation within the framework of the Rectors’ Forum is crucial for achieving European standards of excellence and increasing the competitiveness of the entire Southeast European region.
About rectors’ forum
Established in 2018, the forum brings together 34 universities and strives to serve as the voice of academic institutions in the region, strengthen research collaboration, and promote student and staff mobility as well as the exchange of best practices. More information about the Rectors’ Forum’s activities is available on their website.
