Staying on top of the changes: How academia, business leaders, and stakeholders can address the challenges of managing the engineering talent ecosystem to ensure talent sustainability in an AI-dominated work environment.
The Western Balkan Engineering Leadership Forum (WBELF) is serving as a dynamic discussion platform with a twofold purpose: to revise engineering curricula to prepare graduates for the future AI-dominated workplaces, and to ensure sustainability of quality engineering talent in business environment throughout the whole talent ecosystem, benefiting that way academia, enterprises and societies.
Forum was envisioned as a unique, invitational only, event which will gather leaders and stakeholders from academia, industry and government, as a meeting place to discuss mitigation of educational and business challenges related to creating and managing sustainable talent ecosystem of engineering experts, innovators, and leaders skilled to excel in rapidly changing business landscape transformed by automation and AI advancements.
Staying on top of the changes: How academia, business leaders, and stakeholders can address the challenges of managing the engineering talent ecosystem to ensure talent sustainability in an AI-dominated work environment.
The Western Balkan Engineering Leadership Forum (WBELF) is serving as a dynamic discussion platform with a twofold purpose: to revise engineering curricula to prepare graduates for the future AI-dominated workplaces, and to ensure sustainability of quality engineering talent in business environment throughout the whole talent ecosystem, benefiting that way academia, enterprises and societies.
Forum was envisioned as a unique, invitational only, event which will gather leaders and stakeholders from academia, industry and government, as a meeting place to discuss mitigation of educational and business challenges related to creating and managing sustainable talent ecosystem of engineering experts, innovators, and leaders skilled to excel in rapidly changing business landscape transformed by automation and AI advancements.
Organizers & Supporters
The Western Balkan Engineering Leadership Forum is a regional industry event developed by the Global Engineering Deans Council (GEDC) and the International Federation of Engineering Education Societies (IFEES), with members including rectors and deans of technical universities worldwide. WBELF is supported by The Big Small Businesses project, funded by USAID and implemented in partnership with ACDI/VOCA and the Serbian Chamber of Commerce (SCC).
The Forum also proudly features the University of Belgrade as its Exclusive Academic Partner and Institutional Supporter, further enhancing the collaboration between academia and industry.
2024 WBELF
The 2024 Western Balkans Engineering Leadership Forum (WBELF) convened in Belgrade, bringing together 126 participants, including academic leaders, industry experts, government officials, and students, to tackle pressing challenges in engineering education and workforce readiness. Keynote speakers and panelists, including the Minister of Science of Serbia, the U.S. Ambassador, and executives from Siemens, Cisco, and Microsoft, emphasized the transformative impact of AI, sustainability, and digitalization on the engineering sector. Discussions explored strategies for aligning academic curricula with industry needs, fostering diversity and inclusion in STEM, and modernizing education to prepare students for AI-driven workplaces. The event featured interactive panels, a dedicated diversity-focused session, and a pre-event workshop on ABET accreditation to enhance the global standing of Western Balkan engineering programs.
Participants identified actionable strategies for addressing talent shortages, retaining engineering talent, and fostering innovation. Recommendations included embedding “green” skills and digital literacy into curricula, leveraging real-time industry feedback, and creating entrepreneurial opportunities through innovation hubs. The forum highlighted the critical role of partnerships between universities and industries to support experiential learning and prepare students for complex, multidisciplinary challenges. Through collaboration and a commitment to ongoing reform, WBELF aims to position the Western Balkans as a leader in engineering education and innovation, setting the foundation for sustainable growth and regional competitiveness.
Organizers, Sponsors & Partners
Organizers & Supporters
Global Sponsors
Premier Sponsor
Dinner Sponsors
Institutional Support
Partners
Students Leaders Partners
