Agenda 2024
October 31 – November 1, 2024
Belgrade, The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, Hall 1
15:00 - 15:45
(45 mins)
Registration & Welcome Coffee
15:45 - 16:15
(30 mins)
Welcome & Introduction
Speakers
Mr. Mihailo Vesović
Advisor to the President, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia
Dr. Jelena Begović
Minister, Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation of the Republic of Serbia
H.E. Christopher R. Hill
Ambassador, U.S. Embassy in Serbia
Prof. Dr. Vladan Đokić
Rector, University of Belgrade
Prof. Dr. Hans J. Hoyer
Co-Chair, WBELF / Executive Director, GEDC
Prof. Dr. Zoran Cekić
Co-Chair & Program Director, WBELF
16:15 - 16:45
(30 mins)
Keynote Speech #1
Digital Enterprise – Sustainable Business by Comprehensive Education
Speakers
Mr. Nico Michels
Managing Executive Digital Enterprise, Siemens Industry Software
Prof. Dr. Zoran Jeličić
Founder, UNIDO Smart Manufacturing Innovation Center (SMIC)
16:45 - 17:05
(20 mins)
Networking Break
17:05 - 17:35
(30 mins)
Keynote Speech #2
Modern Engineering Talent – Scaffolding Motivational Learning Experiences and Scalable Research
Speaker
Mr. Paul Gilbert
CEO, Quanser, Canada
17:35 - 18:35
(60 mins)
Interactive Panel #1
Strengthening Academia-Industry Collaboration: Revising and Accrediting Engineering Curricula to Build a Sustainable Talent Pipeline for AI-Driven, Rapidly Evolving Business Landscapes
Moderator
Prof. Dr. Zoran Cekić
Co-Chair and Program Director, WBELF
Speakers
Prof. Dr. Vladimir Popović
Dean, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Belgrade
Prof. Dr. Boris Dumnić
Dean, Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Novi Sad
Mr. Vladimir Milosavljević
Head of R&D Novi Sad Business Area Commercial and Special Vehicles, Continental Automotive Serbia
Dr. Vladimir Todorović
Head of the Development Center, Science and Technology Park Novi Sad
Mr. Marko Đuković
Director of Research & Engineering, Schneider Electric
18:35 - 19:35
(60 mins)
Networking Cocktail
09:00 - 09:30
(30 mins)
Registration & Welcome Coffee
09:30 - 10:30
(60 mins)
Interactive Panel #2
Shaping Western Balkan Engineering Curricula: Building a Future-Ready Talent Pipeline for Evolving Business Needs
Moderator
Prof. Dr. Zoran Cekić
Co-Chair and Program Director, WBELF
Speakers
Prof. Dr. Ahmet Öztaş
Rector, EPOKA University, Albania
Dr. Manivannan Kaliappan
Dean-External Affairs, RMK Group of Institutions & GEDC
Dr. Miroslav Marjanović
Associate Professor, Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Belgrade
Prof. Dr. Goran Markovski
Dean, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, North Macedonia
Mr. Vojin Zajić
Managing Director, Strabag Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania and Bulgaria
10:30 - 11:00
(30 mins)
FireSide Chat
AI at the Crossroads of Innovation: Unlocking Its Potential to Revolutionize Industries and Shape the Future of Work
Moderator
Mr. Bojan Janković
Markets Development Manager, Big Small Businesses Project (USAID, ACDI/VOCA)
Speakers
Dr. Nebojša Bačanin-Džakula
Vice Rector for Scientific Research, Faculty of Informatics and Computing, Singidunum University
Prof. Dr. Vladimir Atanasovski
Dean, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology (FEEIT), Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, North Macedonia
Mr. Saša Mladenović
Operations Director, Johnson Electric
11:00 - 11:20
(20 mins)
Networking Break
11:20 - 12:05
(45 mins)
Interactive Panel #3
From Classroom to Career: Addressing the Intersection of Education, Skills, and Technological Advancements
Moderator
Ms. Katrijn Vandenborne
President, Board of European Students of Technology (BEST)
Speakers
Ms. Nadica Koloska
Coordinator of the Educational Involvement Department, Board of European Students of Technology (BEST)
Ms. Viktorija Barišić
International Involvement Coordinator of XXII Management, Board of European Students of Technology (BEST)
Mr. Milutin Miljanić
President, European Students of Industrial Engineering and Management (ESTIEM)
12:05 - 12:50
(45 mins)
Interactive Panel #4
Navigating the Future of Technology Jobs: How to Assess AI’s Impact and Identify Skills Development Pathways for Evolving AI-Driven Roles?
Moderator
Ms. Jelena Mitić
Program Director for Talent Management, WBELF
Speakers
Mr. Aleksandar Stepančev
Country Lead, Cisco Serbia and Montenegro
Dr. Ivan Tanasijević
Head of Belgrade Office, The Institute for Artificial Intelligence Research and Development of Serbia
Prof. Dr. Kosta Jovanović
Associate Professor in Robotics, School of Electrical Engineering, University of Belgrade
Mr. Milan Gospić
Country Manager, Microsoft
12:50 - 13:50
(60 mins)
Lunch
13:50 - 14:35
(45 mins)
Interactive Panel #5
Diversity and Inclusion of Women in STEM Field: Challenges and Opportunities
Moderator
Prof. Dr. Patricia Caratozzolo
Researcher, Institute for the Future of Education, Tecnologico de Monterrey
Speakers
Prof. Dr. Paloma Díaz
President – Elect, GEDC
Prof. Dr. Mirjana Damnjanović
Head of Department of Power, Electronic and Telecommunication Engineering, Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Novi Sad
Dr. Lidija Tomić
Female Engineer of the Year 2024, Serbia
14:35 - 15:35
(60 mins)
Interactive Panel #6
Strategies for Building and Managing an Ecosystem of Engineering Talent to Meet the Advancing Demands of the Modern Engineering Landscape
Moderator
Mr. Bojan Janković
Markets Development Manager, Big Small Businesses Project (USAID, ACDI/VOCA)
Speakers
Mr. Nemanja Jovičić
Coordinator, Innovation Incubator, University of Kragujevac
Mr. Darko Đorić
Director, MIND Group
Mr. Nebojša Matić
CEO, Mikroelektronika
Dr. Milan Milanović
CTO, 3MD
Prof. Dr. Ivan Mačužić
Full Professor, Faculty of Engineering, University of Kragujevac
15:35 - 15:55
(20 mins)
Networking Break
15:55 - 16:55
(60 mins)
Interactive Panel #7
Bridging the Talent Gap in Engineering: Cultivating an Ecosystem of Innovators for Emerging Challenges
Moderator
Ms. Jelena Mitić
Program Director for Talent Management, WBELF
Speakers
Dr. Aleksandar Nestorov
Plant General Manager, Nidec Elesys Europe
Dr. Marko Tanasković
Dean, Faculty of Technical Sciences, Singidunum
Dr. Jason Blackstock
Founder & CEO, How to Change the World
Dr. Žejko Torbica
Fellow ASQ, Co-Chair, CIB World Building Congress 2025
Mr. Petar Novaković
Airport Development Director, Belgrade Airport (VINCI)
16:55 - 17:10
(15 mins)
Networking Break
17:10 - 18:40
(90 mins)
Brainstorming Session: Shaping the Future of Engineering Talent Ecosystem
This session aims to spark a collaborative, multi-stakeholder dialogue on designing a sustainable and future-ready engineering talent ecosystem.
Participants: Engineering deans, business leaders, and representatives from the regional and international industry, alongside the student community.
Outcomes and next steps: Key insights from the Forum will guide actionable steps for future initiatives, fostering deeper collaboration and innovative solutions to drive the long-term success of the talent ecosystem.
Moderator
Ms. Jelena Mitić
Program Director for Talent Mangement, WBELF
Speakers
Ms. Katrijn Vandenborne
President, Board of European Students of Technology (BEST)
Dr. Aleksandar Nestorov
Plant Manager, Nidec Elesys Europe
Prof. Dr. Patricia Caratozzolo
Researcher, Institute for the Future of Education, Tecnologico de Monterrey
Prof. Dr. Luis M. Sánchez-Ruiz
President-Elect, IFEES
Prof. Dr. Vladimir Atanasovski
Dean, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology (FEEIT), Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, North Macedonia
Dr. Jason Blackstock
Founder & CEO, How to Change the World
Dr. Nebojša Bačanin-Džakula
Vice Rector for Scientific Research, Faculty of Informatics and Computing, Singidunum University
Ms. Nadica Koloska
Coordinator of the Educational Involvement Department, Board of European Students of Technology (BEST)
18:40 - 18:55
(15 mins)
Closing Remarks
Prof. Dr. Zoran Cekić
Co-Chair and Program Director, WBELF
Prof. Dr. Paloma Díaz
President – Elect, GEDC
Prof. Dr. Luis M. Sánchez-Ruiz
President-Elect, IFEES
18:55 - 20:00
(65 mins)
Free Time
20:00 - 22:00
(120 mins)
Dinner in Skadarlija, Belgrade’s Bohemian quarter, to enjoy local cuisine in historical neighbourhood.*
* Invite Only
Dinner Sponsors
**Invited
Note: The organizer reserves the right to make changes to the event program