Rectors' Forum Declaration: Advancing Education, Innovation, and Collaboration in Southeast Europe and the Western Balkans
Representatives from universities across Southeast Europe and the Western Balkans have come together in Rijeka at the 7th Rectors’ Forum, issuing a resounding joint declaration.
The declaration affirmed their collective dedication to strengthening regional and international connections, elevating the standards of research and higher education, and promoting academic mobility within their institutional network.
This declaration includes a compelling call to action directed at international stakeholders, urging them to facilitate initiatives enabling academics and highly skilled professionals to play a pivotal role in shaping public policy and driving progress across the region.
The origins of the Rectors’ Forum lie in earlier initiatives aimed at fostering intra-regional university cooperation, resolving common challenges, and capitalizing on existing potentials.
These endeavors align closely with broader policies designed to integrate the region into the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) and the European Research Area (ERA).
Highlighting Challenges and the Widening Innovation Gap
Despite progress made, the university representatives underscore persistent challenges and a striking innovation gap, as evident in the 2023 'European Innovation Scoreboard.'
This gap encompasses key areas, including human resources, digitalization, intellectual assets, firm investment, employment impacts, among others.
The need for increased investment in higher education and research funding, particularly in the Western Balkans, is prominently featured.
Furthermore, the representatives stress the importance of fostering deeper collaboration among regional universities. Through knowledge exchange among Western Balkans' universities, coupled with the expertise of their European counterparts, the innovation gap can be effectively bridged.
They emphasize the retention of talented graduates within the region by providing career development opportunities.
This calls for a concerted endeavor to address structural weaknesses and ensure that the region remains a source of innovation rather than a point of emigration.
Prioritizing Education and Research for Regional Progress
In a strong assertion, the representatives emphasize the pivotal role of education and research collaboration in driving social and economic development, as well as sustainable peace in Southeast Europe.
They call upon international stakeholders, with a specific reference to the Berlin Process participants, to give precedence to 'multi-country' initiatives.
These encompass a spectrum of financing options designed to empower students, academics, and researchers, support research and innovation excellence centers, build capacity in science management, implement a European Student Card, and tailor mobility programs.
These actions aim to enhance evidence- and expertise-based contributions to public policy and gradually close the innovation and development gap.
Founded in 2018, the Rectors' Forum of Southeast Europe and Western Balkans comprises 31 universities from the region and is dedicated to enhancing the cooperation among universities and becoming the voice of academic institutions in the region. The Forum was held at the University of Rijeka on 4-5 September 2023.