International Balkan University (IBU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Institute of Economic Sciences (IES) in Belgrade. The Vice Rector for Research of IBU, Prof. Dr. Snezana Bilic, met with the Director of the Institute, Dr. Jovan Zubović, to formalize the agreement and discuss opportunities for deepening collaboration.

The cooperation began through the EMERGE project, supported by the Western Balkans Mobility Scheme (WBMS) under Horizon Europe. Over the past six months, Asst. Prof. Dr. Kristina Velickovska (IBU) and Dr. Petar Mitic (IES) have worked together on this initiative, focused on sustainable growth through emerging technologies.

The signing was followed by the first dissemination event of the EMERGE project, a round table titled “Empowering Sustainable Growth through Emerging Technologies in Serbia and North Macedonia.”. The roundtable brought together experts, academics, and stakeholders to explore the transformative role of emerging technologies in promoting sustainable development.

The event focused on how technologies like AI, IoT, and blockchain can support productivity, environmental sustainability, and social inclusion—aligning economic development with the Sustainable Development Goals and fostering cross-border collaboration to drive innovation in the Western Balkans region.

This partnership marks another important step in IBU’s mission to foster impactful international research and regional progress.