The Western Balkan Engineering Leadership Forum (WBELF) is underway at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia in Belgrade, creating a dynamic platform for essential discussions about the future of engineering in the region. WBELF serves a twofold purpose: to revise engineering curricula in preparation for AI-driven workplaces of the future, and to strengthen the sustainability of high-quality engineering talent across the entire talent ecosystem. The forum’s approach aims to benefit academia, enterprises, and society alike by fostering an educational and professional landscape that meets evolving industry demands.
The event opened with remarks from Jelena Begović, Minister of Science, Technological Development, and Innovation of Serbia, who emphasized collaboration as a key factor in advancing scientific research and technological innovation for sustainable development. H.E. US Ambassador to Serbia, Mr. Christopher Hill, also shared his support, highlighting the importance of international partnerships in driving innovation and addressing shared global challenges.
The first keynote session featured prominent speakers in digital enterprise:
Nico Michels, Managing Executive of Digital Enterprise at Siemens,
Zoran Jeličić, founder of the UNIDO Smart Manufacturing Center.
In this 30-minute keynote, titled “Digital Enterprise – Sustainable Business by Comprehensive Education,” Michels and Jeličić explored the transformative role of comprehensive education in creating sustainable digital enterprises.
