In challenging social circumstances, transnational cooperation and developing the European dimension of higher education and science have never been more important, and building joint institutional capacities definitely increases the chances of universities that have students who already carry within them answers for a world that has not yet been created.
This, as reported by PR Center, was announced at the jubilee 10th Rectors' Forum of Southeast Europe and the Western Balkans, which was officially opened today in Podgorica, and which is jointly organized by the University of Montenegro and the Rectors' Forum of Southeast Europe and the Western Balkans.
Rector of the University of Montenegro, Prof. Dr. Vladimir Božović, said that the world we live in has long been a very demanding scene, there are many challenges, but it is certain that no one can cope with what we are going through alone, without the help of the community, and especially not with what lies ahead.
"At every university in our region, there are young people who have the right to a future. And we are the ones who need to create the conditions for that future to be at least a little fairer, smarter and less bureaucratic than our past was. In a time of increasing fragmentation, when walls are built more often than bridges, such meetings are much more important than they seem. The time we live in calls for courage, for cooperation, for intellectual freshness, to swim and grab forward, even when the currents flow against us," is Božović's message.
He is certain that in every country, in every classroom, in every amphitheater, there are students who already carry within them the answers for a world that has not yet been created.
"Our task is not to shape them to the measure of what exists, but to help them create something new and better. To be, if nothing else, good companions on their journey. This forum is also an opportunity to ask ourselves what it means to be a university in the 21st century. Are we still a source of light, or are we just trying not to fall behind the brilliance of others? Are we a place of critical thinking, or have we agreed to silence in the name of 'projects' and 'performances'?" asked Božović.
The President of the Rectors' Forum, Rector of the University of Rijeka, Prof. Dr. Snježana Prijić-Samaržija, pointed out that the number of members of the Rectors' Forum is continuously growing and that today it includes 34 universities from Slovenia to Albania and Greece.
"The Southeastern Europe and Western Balkans Rectors' Forum is dedicated to addressing key challenges for universities, developing European higher education and research policies within the region, exchanging good practices, preparing joint projects, encouraging the exchange of staff and students, and above all, it is dedicated to our mutual empowerment, growth and encouraging critical thinking, so that we can better and more effectively face the challenges of turbulent times," said Prljić-Samardžija.
The fundamental mission of the Rectors' Forum, as she pointed out, is to be the voice of universities in Southeast Europe and the Western Balkans, which can more strongly and loudly advocate for interests in the European higher education area, the European research area, but also overall at the European and global level.
"In challenging social circumstances marked by geopolitical tensions and unpredictable consequences of technological development, the challenges for our universities are becoming greater, which is why it is necessary to seriously consider our new role not only in our national and regional communities, but also in European and global ones," said Prijić-Samaržija.
According to her, it is certain that transnational cooperation and developing the European dimension of higher education and science has never been more important.
"Because of our vast collective knowledge and our vast collective wisdom, we have a duty to act, as the famous Albert Einstein warned all scientists long ago," said Prljić-Samardžija.
She emphasized that building joint institutional capacities definitely increases the chances of each university.
Secretary General of the Rectors' Forum from the University of Ljubljana, Prof. Dr. Ivan Svetlik, pointed out that one of the most important issues is the quality of higher education.
"If we don't have quality, it's very difficult to compete domestically and internationally. So the question is how do we achieve that in the best possible way?! A topic that complements the issue of quality is the issue of the European diploma, because a European diploma can bring standardization of education. This can significantly contribute to improving the quality of education," said Svetlik.
He emphasized that during the Rectors' Forum of Southeast Europe and the Western Balkans, new and ongoing projects that are of interest to all universities will be discussed.
"There you will be able to see where your university can get involved, whether some activities already exist or are emerging as new ones," said Svetlik.
He announced that a new president of the Rectors' Forum would be elected at the end of the meeting.
The event brings together rectors, representatives of European universities, quality assurance agencies, and high-ranking officials of the European Union and countries in the region.
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