Western Balkans Forum to shape the future of higher education and innovation in the region

The University of Pécs, together with Studyportals, will host the Western Balkans Forum on Higher Education and Innovation on 8-9 October 2026. The event will focus on the future of higher education, collaborative innovation, and the European integration of the Western Balkans, a process that is crucial to the EU's security and economic progress.

The University of Pécs aims to act as a key knowledge hub and a geopolitical mediator for the wider region in the future. "The event is the result of long-term, deliberate development at the University of Pécs and marks a milestone in our internationalisation efforts," adds Dr István Tarrósy, Director of International Relations at the university.

Since the early 2000s, the University of Pécs has focused on developing political, cultural, and scientific ties with the Balkan region. In recent years, these efforts have included numerous country-focused events, as well as extensive faculty and student exchange programmes. The forum builds on the Bosnian and Croatian Days held in May 2024, which highlighted the need for a comprehensive international event focused specifically on the Western Balkans.

The Western Balkans Forum aligns with the university's 2023-2030 institutional development strategy, which identifies serving as a stable bridge between Central and Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans as a strategic priority.

"Through this strategically significant forum, our university can further strengthen its international standing and its role in the region, fostering regional ties", emphasised Prof. Adrián Fábián, the rector of the University of Pécs.

The opening keynote address will be delivered by Jo Ritzen, former Dutch Minister of Education and former President of Maastricht University. Following the keynote, regional education ministers will take centre stage: Jasna Duraković, Minister of Education and Science of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Hajrulla Çeku, Minister of Education of Kosovo, will engage in a discussion on the role of higher education in the future of the region.

Throughout the conference, higher education leaders, NGO representatives, major regional corporations, and international researchers specialising in the Western Balkans will collaborate to build a complex, up-to-date picture of the region's present and future, focusing on higher education and innovation.

The Western Balkans Forum goes beyond the scope of a traditional academic conference; it is a unique platform where key decision-makers, researchers, and corporate figures shaping the region's future come together. Whether for university leaders, academics, innovation experts, or those interested in international relations, the summit held on 8–9 October at the Kodály Centre in Pécs offers an excellent opportunity for cross-border networking, exploring best practices, and collaborative thinking.

The organisers will share more details about future plans at the close of the event. One thing is already clear: they intend to hold the forum every two years, with related events taking place at partner institutions across the region in the intervening years. Together, these initiatives aim to help shape the innovation future of the wider region.

The detailed programme and registration are available at the following link: https://westernbalkansforum2026.pte.hu/

Text: Studyportals