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Sarajevo, November 13, 2026 – The University of Sarajevo – School of Economics and Business (EFSA), in cooperation with AACSB International, one of the world's leading organizations dedicated to advancing the quality of business education, organized the international “Business Education Leadership and Strategy Forum – Shaping Business Education in Southeast Europe.”
The Forum brought together leaders of economics and business schools, representatives of the academic community, and higher education experts from 14 faculties and schools across Southeast Europe. Participants had the opportunity to exchange experiences and discuss key challenges and the future of education.
The participation of Lily Bi, President and CEO of AACSB International, was a particular highlight of the event. Her visit to Sarajevo provided an important opportunity to discuss the future of economics and business education, the challenges facing higher education institutions, and strategic directions for their development.
The Forum was opened by Professor Meliha Bašić, Dean of the University of Sarajevo – School of Economics and Business, who emphasized the importance of international cooperation, continuous quality improvement, and connecting academic institutions in response to increasingly rapid changes in education and the business environment.
“Hosting this international forum and welcoming Lily Bi, President and CEO of AACSB International, are a great honor for our School and a recognition of the role the University of Sarajevo – School of Economics and Business plays in the regional academic community. We are particularly pleased to have brought together leaders of economics and business schools from Southeast Europe in Sarajevo to discuss the challenges and future of education. At a time of rapid technological change, especially advances in artificial intelligence, higher education institutions must continually reassess and improve their approaches to education. We believe that international cooperation, the exchange of experiences, and joint action are essential to developing high-quality education that meets the needs of modern society and the economy,” said Professor Meliha Bašić, Dean of the University of Sarajevo – School of Economics and Business.
The centerpiece of the morning program was a keynote address on “Leading Business Schools Through Change” and a discussion moderated by Tea Mioković Polić, EFSA's AACSB project leader. The discussion focused on the challenges of leading business schools amid rapid technological change, particularly the growing role of artificial intelligence in higher education. It addressed the shift from isolated experiments with AI technologies to their systematic and responsible integration into teaching, research, and institutional processes.
“Business education has a critical role to play in shaping the future of Southeast Europe. As artificial intelligence transforms how we learn, work, and lead, business schools must look beyond technology to develop the distinctly human capabilities of critical thinking, sound judgment, and adaptability. What makes gatherings like this so valuable is the opportunity to learn from one another while recognizing that each institution serves a unique mission and community. By strengthening regional collaboration and committing to continuous improvement, we can ensure business education remains relevant and creates meaningful impact for business and society,” said Lily Bi, President and CEO of AACSB International.
The program continued with a panel discussion, “The Future of Business Education in Southeast Europe,” moderated by Professor Jasmina Selimović, Governor of the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina and former Dean of the University of Sarajevo – School of Economics and Business.
The panel featured Professor Žaklina Stojanović, Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Belgrade, Serbia; Professor Vinko Muštra, former Dean of the Faculty of Economics, Business and Tourism, University of Split, Croatia; Dr. Nuša Petek, Head of the Quality Assurance Office at the School of Economics and Business, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia; and Dr. Eileen McAuliffe, Executive Vice President and Chief Thought Leadership Officer, EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa), at AACSB International.
The panel addressed a range of important questions concerning the future of higher education in the region, including academic quality assurance, the development of skills needed in today's labor market, the responsible use of artificial intelligence, cooperation between universities and the business community, and the contribution of economics and business schools to social and economic development.
Particular attention was given to the need for schools, beyond imparting knowledge, to take a more active role in shaping future generations of leaders, aligning education with the needs of the business sector, and creating measurable positive societal impact.
The afternoon program featured an interactive workshop, “Strategic Planning: From Regional Priorities to Institutional Action,” organized by AACSB for participants who had registered in advance. The workshop focused on identifying shared regional priorities, exchanging experiences, and developing concrete guidelines for strategic action by economics and business schools, using strategic planning tools and group work.
Hosting this international event at the University of Sarajevo – School of Economics and Business confirms its active role in regional and global efforts to enhance the quality of higher education. AACSB-accredited since 2015, EFSA continues to develop international partnerships and participate in initiatives promoting excellence in education, research, and cooperation with the business community.
The Forum also provided an opportunity to strengthen ties between business schools in Southeast Europe and AACSB International, creating space for further collaboration, the exchange of best practices, and joint reflection on the future of business education.
By hosting this event, Sarajevo and the School of Economics and Business have once again positioned themselves as a meeting place for dialogue and connections within the international academic community, with a clear commitment to keeping educational quality and its contribution to society at the heart of institutional development.
University of Sarajevo – School of Economics and Business
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