We had the distinct honor of hosting distinguished international guests at International Balkan University as part of our ongoing commitment to strengthening global academic and creative collaborations. Our university welcomed Prof. Antony Hall, PhD, Fellow of HEA at the School of Digital Arts (SODA) of Manchester Metropolitan University; Andy Brydon, Director at Curated Place; and Kiril Gjozev together with Elena Bojadzieva Cvetkovska from UMPACI. The guests were warmly welcomed by our Vice Rector, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Lökçe, and Prof. Dr. Aleksandra Ristovska, Dean of the Faculty of Art and Design. The meeting created an inspiring environment for dialogue, exchange of ideas, and exploration of future opportunities in the fields of digital arts, storytelling, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

During the meeting, we established a collaborative partnership between the participating institutions and representatives, marking an important step toward the development of future joint initiatives and international academic engagement. As the first outcome of this cooperation, a three-day workshop titled “Future Storytelling: 72-Hour Challenge” will be organized and hosted by our university within our Digital Lab facilities under the guidance of IBU staff. The workshop is expected to provide an innovative and dynamic platform where participants will engage in intensive collaborative work focused on storytelling, creativity, digital media, and emerging technologies. Through such initiatives, we continue to strengthen the role of our university as a center that encourages innovation, creative thinking, and practical learning experiences connected to international expertise and contemporary industry practices.

This newly established partnership reflects our institutional vision of fostering internationalization, academic excellence, and interdisciplinary cooperation while creating valuable opportunities for our students, academics, and creative communities. By connecting with internationally recognized academics, professionals, and organizations, we continue to enrich our educational environment and expand opportunities for knowledge exchange, professional development, and creative exploration. We believe that the “Future Storytelling: 72-Hour Challenge” will become the beginning of a productive and long-term collaboration that contributes to the advancement of innovative education, international cooperation, and creative industries while further strengthening International Balkan University’s presence within the global academic and artistic landscape.