Agenda 2024
October 31 – November 1, 2024
Belgrade, The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, Hall 1
15:00 - 15:30
(30 mins)
Registration & Welcome Coffee
15:30 - 16:15
(45 mins)
Welcome & Introduction
Speakers
Dr. Jelena Begović
Minister of Science, Technological Development and Innovation of Serbia, The Government of the Republic of Serbia
H.E. Christopher R. Hill
Ambassador, U.S. Embassy in Serbia
Prof. Vladan Đokić
Rector, University of Belgrade
Prof. Dr. Luís Manuel Sánchez-Ruiz
President-Elect, IFEES and Director Latin America Affairs Area, UPV
Prof. Hans J. Hoyer
Executive Director, GEDC and Secretary General, IFEES
16:15 - 16:45
(30 mins)
Keynote Speech #1
Building a Stronger Engineering Talent Pipeline: The Impact of an ABET-Recognized Industry Credential Program Developed by Siemens and the University of Colorado Boulder
Speaker
Mr. Nico Michels
Managing Executive Digital Enterprise, Siemens Digital Software
Prof. Zoran Jeličić
Smart Manufacturing Innovation Centre (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
Speakers
Prof. Dr. Vladimir Popović
Dean, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Belgrade
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 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
Speakers
Prof. Ahmet Öztaş
Rector, EPOKA University, Albania
Dr. Igor Peško
Vice-Dean for Finance, Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Novi Sad
Prof. Miroslav Marjanović
Associate Professor, Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Belgrade
10:30 - 11:00
(30 mins)
FireSide Chat
Investing in Talent to Transform the Future of Work: AI’s Impact on Engineering Roles and Identifying Skills Development Pathways for Jobs Most Affected by AI
Speakers
Prof. Slobodan Savić
Dean, Faculty of Engineering, University of Kragujevac
Prof. Marko Tanasković
Dean, Faculty of Technical Science, Singidunum
11:00 - 11:20
(20 mins)
Networking Break
11:20 - 12:05
(45 mins)
Interactive Panel #3
Engineering Students’ Perspective: Challenges, Opportunities, University and Industry Support in Transitioning from Academia to AI-driven Workforce in the Western Balkans and Beyond
Speakers
Mrs. Katrijn Vandenborne
President, Board of European Students of Technology (BEST)
Mr. Raheel Pathan
VP Finance, Student Platform for Engineering Education Development (SPEED)
Mrs. Nadica Koloska
Coordinator of the Educational Involvement Department, Board of European Students of Technology (BEST)
Mrs. Viktorija Barišić
International Involvement Coordinator of XXII Management, Board of European Students of Technology (BEST)
12:05 - 12:50
(45 mins)
Interactive Panel #4
Navigating the Future of Technology Jobs: How AI-Enabled ICT Workforce Consortium (Microsoft, Cisco, Accenture, Eightfold, Google, IBM, Indeed, Intel, and SAP) Assess AI’s Impact and Identify Skills Development Pathways for Evolving AI-Driven Roles?
Speakers
Mr. Milan Gospić
Country Manager, Microsoft Serbia
Mr. Aleksandar Stepančev
Country Lead, Cisco Serbia and Montenegro
Representative
The Institute for Artificial Intelligence Research and Development of Serbia
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
Speakers
Prof. Dr. Paloma Díaz
Dean of the Engineering School, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid
Prof. Mirjana Damnjanović
Head of Department of Power, Electronic and Telecommunication Engineering, Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Novi Sad
Dr. Lidija Tomić
Air Traffic Engineer
Prof. Dr. Patricia Caratozzolo
Researcher, Institute for the Future of Education, Tecnologico de Monterrey
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
Speakers
Prof. Nenad Filipović
Director, Science Fund of the Republic Serbia
15:35 - 15:55
(20 mins)
Networking Break
15:55 - 16:40
(45 mins)
Interactive Panel #7
Bridging the Talent Gap in Engineering: Cultivating an Ecosystem of Innovators for Emerging Challenges
Speakers
Mr. Aleksandar Nestorov
Plant General Manager, Nidec Elesys Europe
16:40 - 18:20
(100 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, government officials, 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.
Speakers
Mrs. Katrijn Vandenborne
President, Board of European Students of Technology (BEST)
Dr. Michael Miligan
CEO, ABET
Mr. Paul Gilbert
CEO, Quanser, Canada
Mr. Nico Michels
Head of Digital Enterprise, Siemens Digital Software
Mr. Raheel Pathan
Coordinator of research team, Student Platform for Engineering Education Development (SPEED)
Prof. Dr. Patricia Caratozzolo
Researcher, Institute for the Future of Education, Tecnologico de Monterrey
18:20 - 20:00
(100 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
Note: The organizer reserves the right to make changes to the event program