Advancing Cooperation, Competitiveness and European Integration through Higher Education

University of Pécs, Hungary
8-9th October 2026
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Why This Forum Matters

Higher education plays a central role in the social, economic and political transformation of the Western Balkans. As countries advance toward deeper European integration, universities act as catalysts for innovation, mobility, and regional cooperation.

The Forum convenes leaders from academia, government and international organisations to explore practical pathways for collaboration and institutional development.

Key Themes:

  • European integration
  • Institutional competitiveness
  • Research collaboration
  • Global engagement
  • Talent mobility
Government Leaders
Ministers and policymakers.
University Leadership
Rectors, vice-rectors and institutional leaders.
International Organisations
Policy experts and funding agencies.
Global Partners
EU, Gulf region, Asia and neighbouring countries.

 

Confirmation of participation will be communicated by the organisers.

Danilo Popović

Project Manager
Montenego EU Project Consulting

Prof. Ferenc Miszlivetz

Founder and General Director
Institute of Advanced Studies Kőszeg (iASK)

Prof. Valentyna Yakubiv

Rector
Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University

Prof. Maurits Van Rooijen

Chief Academic Executive, Group Rector
Global University Systems

Dr Kathy Charles

Executive Dean of Learning and Teaching
Nottingham Trent University

Prof. Jasna Duraković

Minister of Education and Science
Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Dejan Vuk Stanković

Minister of Education
Republic of Serbia

Prof. Dr Jo Ritzen

former Minister of Education, Culture, and Science
The Netherlands

Florian Schweigert

Founder and managing director
BioAnalyt GmbH

Satellite Events

 

Hungarian Rectors' Conference Plenary Meeting

The Hungarian Rectors' Conference will organize its plenary meeting in connection with the conference on October 8th. Attendees will include the rectors from over 60 higher education institutions in Hungary. Their participation in the plenary meeting, as well as in the conference and the gala dinner, will enhance networking opportunities at the Western Balkans Forum.

 

Meeting of Rectors' Conferences in the Region

The Western Balkans Forum offers an excellent opportunity for leaders of the Rectors' Conferences in the region to convene. The Hungarian Rectors' Conference invites colleagues to engage in focused discussions on regional partnerships and to foster collaborations between the Western Balkans and Central-Eastern Europe, especially in light of EU enlargement.


"A Day of Indigenous Grape Varieties” Conference on Viticulture and Oenology in the Western Balkans

 

This section will focus on the role and future prospects of Balkan and Pannonian autochthonous and new-generation grape varieties in European wine markets. 

Hosted by the University of Pécs, the section builds on the institution’s extensive academic, research, tourism, and marketing links with the Western Balkans, aiming to strengthen regional cooperation across viticulture and wine science. 

Special emphasis will be placed on indigenous Pannonian and Western Balkan grape varieties, as well as new-generation, resistant (PIWI) cultivars bred by regional universities and research institutes, examining their sustainability potential, market positioning, and competitiveness in the evolving European wine landscape. 

The program will bring together 15–20 universities, research centers, and selected wineries from across the Western Balkans, the Pannonian region, and Hungary, combining plenary sessions, thematic scientific panels, institutional visits, and professional tastings to foster knowledge exchange, innovation, and long-term collaboration.

University of Pécs

The University of Pécs, with its 25,000 students, over 5,700 international students, 2,400 lecturers and researchers, and 10 faculties, is one of Hungary's largest higher education institutions and the centre of knowledge within the Transdanubian region. Its roots date back to 1367. 

The City of Pécs itself is known for its vibrant cultural heritage, the first Hungarian European Capital of Culture in 2010, making it an ideal setting for a conference of this magnitude.  

The city is about a 2-hour drive on M6 motorway from the international airport in Budapest, operates its own regional international airport in Pécs-Pogány, and is around 50 minutes from the airport of Osijek, Croatia, one of its sister cities in the region. 

The event will be held at Kodály Centre, one of the most magnificent concert hall and conference centre of Central Europe.

Hotel recommendations:

Through our unique partnerships we can offer special rates at multiple hotels in Pécs:

  • Corso Hotel Pécs
    Address: Pécs, Koller u. 8
    https://corsohotel.hu/
    Reservations can be made via email at: sales@corsohotel.hu
    Rooms have been reserved for participants of the event; therefore, please refer to the code “Nyugat-BF26” when making your reservation.
  • Palatinus Grand Hotel
    Address: Pécs, Király utca 5.
    www.palatinusgrandhotel.hu
    For reservations made by 31 August 2026, the hotel provides a 15% discount using the following code: NYBF2026
  • Adele Hotel
    Address: Pécs, Mária utca 15.
    https://adelehotel.hu/
    Rooms have been reserved for participants of the event; please use the code “NYBF2026” when making your reservation to ensure access to the allocated rooms.
  • R73 Residences Hotel Pécs
    Address: Pécs, Rákóczi út 73/B
    https://r73residences.hu/
    By referring to the “Western Balkans Forum” during the booking process, participants are eligible for a discount on the accommodation price.
  • Boutique Hotel Sopianae
    Address: Pécs, Felsőmalom utca 24
    https://hotelsopianae.hu/szobafoglalas
    Rooms have been reserved for participants of the event; please refer to the Western Balkans Forum event when making your reservation.
  • Sándor Hotel
    Address: Pécs, Kálvária u. 58
    https://www.sandorhotel.hu/
    Reservations can be made by phone at +36 (72) 512-222 or via email at info@sandorhotel.hu
    Rooms have been reserved for participants of the event; please refer to the Western Balkans Forum event when making your reservation.
  • Hotel Árkadia Pécs
    Address: Pécs, Hunyadi János utca 1.
    www.hotelarkadiapecs.hu
    Rooms have been reserved for participants of the event; please refer to the Western Balkans Forum event when making your reservation.
  • Zsolnay Guesthouse
    Address: Pécs, Felsővámház utca 52.
    Reservations can be made via email at: vendeghaz@zsn.hu
    Rooms have been reserved for participants of the event; please refer to the Western Balkans Forum event when making your reservation.
Partners

MORE INFORMATION:

If you have any questions, please feel free to email us at: westernbalkans@pte.hu