Vice-Rector Balaban participated in Rectors' Forum in Podgorica

The Vice-Rector for Teaching, Student Affairs and Quality at the University of Banja Luka, Prof. Milica Balaban, PhD, took part in the 10th Rectors' Forum of Southeast Europe and the Western Balkans, held on 7 and 8 April 2025 at the University of Montenegro in Podgorica.

The forum brought together rectors, vice-rectors and representatives of universities from the region and across Europe, as well as representatives of European university alliances, with the aim of strengthening regional cooperation and exchanging experiences in modernising higher education.

One of the activities of the forum was the international conference of the ULYSSEUS university alliance, hosted by the University of Montenegro as a full member of the alliance. The conference gathered representatives of several European university networks, including EUTOPIA, YUFE, CIRCLE-U, ACROSS, SUNRISE, EUPeace and others. The participants exchanged examples of good practice in teaching, capacity building, and the role of universities in the European integration process. During the session entitled “Perspectives of European University Alliances in the Modernisation of Education”, Prof. Milica Balaban, PhD, presented the ACROSS alliance, in which the University of Banja Luka is actively engaged as a member.

At the ceremonial opening of the forum, the attendees were addressed by the Rector of the University of Montenegro, Prof. Vladimir Božović, PhD, and the President of the Rectors' Forum, Prof. Snježana Prijić-Samardžija, PhD. In the introductory keynote session, European Commission representative Kinga Suli spoke about the European Degree initiative, while the EQAR Director, Aleksandar Šušnjar, presented the importance of quality assurance in higher education.

The second day of the Forum was dedicated to high-level discussions on the role of universities in the EU accession process, involving representatives of the Government of Montenegro, the Delegation of the European Union and regional universities. The programme also included bilateral meetings with partner institutions and visits to cultural sites in Podgorica.

The Rectors' Forum of Southeast Europe and the Western Balkans currently includes 34 members from nine countries in the region, 15 of which are part of European university alliances. The Forum represents a vital platform for the exchange of ideas, enhancement of cooperation and joint action of universities in the region, where the University of Banja Luka plays an active and recognised role.

Photo source: University of Montenegro