Rector of the University of Zenica, Prof. Dr.Sc. Damir Kukić signed the Declaration of the University of Southeast Europe and the Western Balkans

On Saturday, November 3, 2018, the Second Rector's Forum of Southeast Europe and the Western Balkans was held at the University of Zagreb.

At the forum, 22 rectors signed the Declaration of the Universities of Southeast Europe and the Western Balkans, which will improve the cooperation and joint action of the universities that signed the declaration in the fields of science, higher education, research and knowledge transfer. On behalf of the University of Zenica, the Declaration was signed by the Rector, Prof. Dr.Sc. Damir Kukić.

Also, the signatories of the Declaration, in accordance with the conclusions of the First Rector's Forum held in Novi Sad in May of this year, initiated the establishment of the Association of Universities of Southeast Europe and the Western Balkans.

Based on the signed Declaration, the Association will continue to develop the Regional Platform for cooperation in the field of science, higher education and research, and special attention will be directed to improving the quality of higher education in the area of Southeastern Europe and the Western Balkans. In addition, the Association will create conditions for joint strengthening of capacities in the field of science, higher education and knowledge transfer, actively advocate common interests in the field of its activities in the institutions of the European Union, encourage the mobility of teachers, associates, scientists, researchers and students, and actively advocate that the countries of Southeast Europe and the Western Balkans allocate more funds for financing science, which should not be less than 1% of the gross national income.

Based on the fact that a large number of highly educated people emigrate to developed European countries and that there is a common interest to stop or reduce this trend, the Community will especially advocate that the European Union allocates more funds for the development of science and higher education at universities that are in its composition.

In addition to supporting the principle of open access to science and research infrastructure, the Association of Universities of South-Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans will support the initiated and planned activities within the Berlin Process, especially those related to the establishment and operation of a research foundation for South-Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans.

The third Rector's Forum of Southeast Europe and the Western Balkans will be held in January or February 2019 at the University of Mostar.