BISTLAB | Balkan Economy and Finance Laboratory (BEFL) is established within the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences at the International Balkan University in cooperation with Borsa İstanbul Inc. The laboratory serves as a modern educational and research hub, designed to enhance learning in economics, finance, and business through simulation-based and experiential training. By integrating real-world economics, financial data, and interactive tools, BEFL bridges the gap between academic theory and market practice, fostering analytical thinking, innovation, and professional development among students, researchers, and industry professionals.

Mission

To bridge the gap between theory and practice by equipping students, educators, researchers, and industry professionals with cutting-edge tools and real-world learning platforms. Through innovation, collaboration, and critical analysis, BISTLAB | Balkan Economy and Finance Laboratory empowers future professionals to make informed, data-driven decisions in today’s complex economic and financial environments.

Vision

To become a leading academic hub for applied economic and financial education in the Western Balkans and beyond, a place where theory meets real-world practice.
BISTLAB | Balkan Economy and Finance Laboratory strives to empower the next generation of economists, analysts, and policymakers through advanced simulation tools, collaborative research, and strong partnerships with industry and regulatory institutions.

By doing so, we aim to shape professionals who will drive sustainable economic growth, evidence-based policymaking, and financial innovation across the region.

Objectives

BISTLAB | Balkan Economy and Finance Laboratory aims to build a comprehensive and innovative simulation platform that integrates advanced economic models and real-world data to enhance analysis, research, and decision-making.

Our key objectives include:

• Providing students with hands-on, practical learning experiences that mirror real economic and financial environments.
• Supporting teachers and policymakers with sophisticated analytical tools and simulation methods for effective decision-making.
• Equipping the center with state-of-the-art applications for economic research, financial analysis, trading simulations, and market assessment.
• Strengthening collaboration between students, faculty, and industry stakeholders, including businesses, financial institutions, and regulatory agencies.
• Enhancing research capacity in economics, supporting evidence-based policymaking, and improving institutional planning.
• Developing educational materials, multimedia resources, and organizing training programs, workshops, seminars, and conferences that connect academia and practice.

Why BISTLAB | Balkan Economy and Finance Laboratory Matters

BISTLAB | Balkan Economy and Finance Laboratory offers unique opportunities for students, educators, and professionals to merge theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience. It serves as a hub of innovation, enabling advanced learning, experimentation, and collaboration across economic and financial fields.

BISTLAB | Balkan Economy and Finance Laboratory will:

1. Advance Economic Modeling & Analysis
   Enable the use of dynamic economic models to simulate and evaluate policy changes, market trends, and global economic shifts.
2. Serve as a “Policy Wind Tunnel”
   Provide policymakers with analytical tools to test and refine economic policies before real-world implementation.
3. Promote Data-Driven Decision-Making
   Use real data and simulations to strengthen evidence-based strategies in business, government, and finance.
4. Support Research and Development
   Offer a testing ground for new economic ideas, hypotheses, and innovations in both theory and practice.
5. Engage Key Stakeholders
   Facilitate dialogue and cooperation among academia, government, and the private sector to tackle pressing economic challenges.
6. Empower Future-Ready Graduates
   Provide students with real-world analytical and decision-making skills, giving them a competitive edge in the job market.

Education Hub & Training Programs

Development of Educational Resources

Design case studies, interactive simulations, and role-playing exercises that blend theory with practice.

• Produce high-quality materials — textbooks, guides, and online resources.
• Create multimedia content, including video tutorials, webinars, and interactive learning modules.

Training & Capacity Building

• Host hands-on workshops and seminars for students, teachers, and researchers.
• Provide practical sessions on using simulation tools, interpreting results, and applying findings to real-world scenarios.

Simulation Trials & Real-World Testing

• Run trial simulations using developed models and tailored scenarios.
• Analyze data to continuously improve the learning process.
• Engage both students and researchers in simulation-based research, allowing them to explore hypotheses, policy options, and innovative economic strategies.

Join the Future of Economic Learning

At BISTLAB | Balkan Economy and Finance Laboratory, we believe education should be interactive, innovative, and impactful.

Through collaboration, technology, and real-world simulations, we’re redefining how economics and finance are taught and applied.

Explore… Simulate… Innovate…

Become part of the future of learning at:

Email: bistlab@ibu.edu.mk
Website: https://bistlab.ibu.edu.mk