International Balkan University (IBU) has entered into a new partnership with the Association for Regional Development Balkan Economic Forum, signing a Memorandum of Cooperation that will open doors for joint initiatives in research, education, and economic development across the Balkans.

The document was signed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Liza Alili Sulejmani, Dean of IBU’s Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, and Mr. Sasho Kosev, co-founder and President of the Forum, an organization widely recognized for promoting sustainable growth and advancing regional cooperation.

The agreement places strong emphasis on connecting academic knowledge with the realities of the economic sector. Through collaborative projects, policy research, and capacity-building programs, both institutions aim to contribute to regional progress and create new opportunities for cooperation between academia and industry.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Sulejmani and Asst. Prof. Dr. Elena Parnardzieva Stanoevska joined Mr. Kosev in outlining a framework for future collaboration. Plans include knowledge-sharing platforms, training activities, and initiatives designed to encourage innovation and sustainable growth throughout the region.

For IBU, the memorandum represents more than a formal agreement—it reflects the university’s mission to prepare students for real-world challenges by combining academic excellence with hands-on experience in areas such as regional development, economic policy, and business management.