The INTECO project (https://www.inteco.eubd.edu.ba/) aims to improve the process of international cooperation and cooperation with higher education institutions in the countries of the Western Balkans (European University of Brčko District BIH, University "VITEZ", University Hercegovina, Adriatic University Bar) through networking with universities from the EU (Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, Baltazar Zaprešić College with public rights, Academy of Technical and Artistic Vocational Studies) and the private sector.
The INTECO project includes higher education institutions from the Western Balkans that have not yet had international cooperation or whose cooperation has not been at a high level.
EU partner institutions will provide assistance to higher education institutions in the Western Balkans with their experience and best practices in achieving the goals of the project. The INTECO project will enable international cooperation to be raised to a higher level at the higher education institutions in the Western Balkans (WB) and create the conditions for participation in other international and regional project calls and mobility. Also, the Western Balkans INTECO project will allow higher education institutions to establish stronger connections between the Western Balkans and the business sector.
The goal of the project is to establish new International Cooperation Centers (ICC) and Career Development Centers (CDC) at higher education institutions in the Western Balkans, as well as to develop an internationalization strategy with the help of EU partners.
Through the development of the ICC, the project will contribute to capacity building and raising the quality level of education and scientific research activities at the universities through international cooperation and the implementation of international projects. The main goals of the Internationalization Strategy will be: improvement of study programs, increasing the number of incoming and outgoing mobilities, enhancing cooperation with foreign universities, scientific institutions, businesses, and other partner institutions through international projects, digitalization, inclusion, and ecological sustainability.
The role of the CDC will be to assist students and graduates of higher education institutions in the Western Balkans in realizing their career plans, helping them acquire relevant experience, knowledge, and skills during their studies that will be important for further professional development and employment, as well as connecting them with the business community and preparing them for a successful entry into the labor market after graduation.
The next meeting of the INTECO project signatories will be held in Bar at Adriatic University Bar from May 26 to 27, 2025.