Skopje, 26 March 2026 (MIA) - Obtaining university degrees without quality knowledge creates frustration, and holding a degree today is not enough without lifelong learning, as career paths are no longer linear. Employers now look not only at diplomas, but at skills, abilities, and adaptability. That is why we need universities that are more international, more relevant, more flexible, and better connected to real economies, Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Amer Kapetanović, said at the opening of the two-day regional conference “Bridging Futures: Internationalisation of Higher Education in the Western Balkans and Southeast Europe” in Skopje.

“Higher education,” he said, “is no longer just about earning degrees, although it is connected to that. It is, however, not solely for that purpose. It is a strategic issue for the future of the region.”

“The old promise we knew was simple: study hard, earn a degree, get a job and advance in your career. Today, this old promise no longer holds, even in advanced economies. It is important, but it does not guarantee success unless it aligns with the strict demands of the labor market. In other words, technology shapes our success to information, while the education system must ensure that knowledge retains its value. I believe this should be our new promise. Within this promise, the challenge is not only to expand higher education but also to reposition it. We need universities that are more international, more relevant, more flexible and more connected to real economies,” Kapetanović said.

“For this purpose,” he noted, “the internationalization of universities is not a matter of branding, prestige, or simply sending more students abroad. It is about quality, mobility, adaptability, research capacities, and opportunities.”

“The real risks for our region are the widening gap between aspirations for learning and the quality of knowledge. Degrees without knowledge lead to frustration, and that frustration is not just personal. Let me share what we have learned from the Balkan Barometer survey, which we conduct every year: sixty-eight percent of young people said they want to leave, while only twenty-nine percent want to stay. This is a signal that must be taken seriously. For this reason, higher education is not only a development issue, but a matter of stability,” he said.

Referring to possible solutions, he said that several steps need to be taken, including linking internationalization with competitiveness. According to him, no region can seriously speak about innovation, digital transition or green transformation if its universities are not sufficiently connected to international networks and industry.

“The Minister was absolutely right in saying that we should not lament the brain drain, but rather focus on bringing those brains back to our countries, on how to reintegrate those who have already left into the chain of value,” Kapetanović said.

According to him, efforts should focus on enabling the circulation of talent, rather than talent drain. Mobility, he said, should not be one-way; instead, international and regional networks and strong connections with the academic ecosystem must be built.

He also underscored that we must adapt to changes in higher education itself because, as he said, learning is now lifelong, career paths are no longer linear, and employers today look not only at diplomas, but at skills, competencies and adaptability.

He said that advancing higher education requires viewing regional cooperation as part of ensuring services within the European chain.

“We should not have to choose between regional cooperation and European integration. Regional cooperation prepares us for deeper integration because it builds trust, reduces fragmentation, and raises standards. This is precisely where regional cooperation adds value: it brings us together, connects us, and works on a coherent regional agenda to strengthen our capacities and convergence,” Kapetanović said.

The conference, held Thursday and Friday under the patronage of the Ministry of Education and Science, represents a high-level dialogue bringing together ministers, university leaders, academics, researchers, policymakers, industry representatives, employers, experts and students.

The event co-organized in partnership with the Regional Cooperation Council and the World Bank, is more than a conference-it is a platform to connect systems, people, and ideas and to shape the next phase of higher education reform in the Western Balkans.

Participants will discuss the competitiveness of universities and their alignment with European and global standards, innovation and digital skills, particularly in STEM fields, mobility policies and creating conditions for young people to study, research, and work in different countries while ensuring that acquired knowledge is brought back to the region, as well as strengthening cooperation aimed at sharing best practices and experiences.

“Despite historical and institutional differences, the six Western Balkan countries share common challenges, values, and aspirations. Through dialogue and the exchange of ideas, the region seeks to demonstrate that it is not merely a passive participant in European processes, but an equal partner that can enrich Europe with knowledge, talent, and innovation,” the Ministry of Education and Science stated in the conference announcement.

Photo: MIA