In the period from 11 to 12 May 2026, Prof. Dr. Darko Lazarov, Vice-Rector for Investment and Development, represented the University “Goce Delcev” – Stip at the Annual Assembly of the Rectors’ Forum of Southeast Europe and the Western Balkans, which was held at the University of Ljubljana, Republic of Slovenia.
The Assembly was attended by representatives of universities from the entire Western Balkans region, during which the Annual Plan of Activities, opportunities for deepening cooperation and future plans of this regional university association, which unites more than 40 universities from the wider region, were discussed.
As part of the event, a conference was also organized on the topic “Strengthening Cooperation between Universities and the Business Sector in the Western Balkans”, which was attended by representatives from European universities, companies and business associations.
The conference discussed new platforms for cooperation between the academic community and the business sector, especially in the area of creating modern educational programs and competencies in accordance with the needs of the labor market, greater involvement of industry in the teaching process, as well as more intensive cooperation in the field of research, development and innovation.
In this regard, Goce Delcev University – Stip, through active cooperation with the largest business associations in the country and companies from various sectors, as well as through the development of a university startup center and a technology transfer center, actively follows contemporary trends for the transformation of the role of modern universities in society.
