Skopje/Sofia, September 2026 – Mother Teresa University in Skopje, through its Faculty of Economics, is taking concrete steps towards establishing scientific cooperation with the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. The initiative is aimed at preparing and developing international projects within prestigious European programs, such as COST and Horizon Europe.
The delegation of the Faculty of Economics at MTU consisted of senior academic staff, led by Vice-Rector for Finance, Assoc. Prof. Bujamin Bela, Ph.D.; Dean of the Faculty of Economics, Assoc. Prof. Bukurije Imeri Jusufi, Ph.D.; Senator Assoc. Prof. Zana Beqiri Luma, Ph.D.; Vice-Dean Assoc. Prof. Teuta Jusufi Zenku, Ph.D.; and Assoc. Prof. Liridon Zenku, Ph.D.
The cooperation focuses on the development of European interdisciplinary initiatives and networks in the fields of AI, data analytics, mathematical modelling, and decision-support systems, with particular applications in economics, finance, and the public sector.
Within this framework, several potential areas of cooperation have been identified, including:
- AI4ECON-EDU – Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics for Economic and Financial Decision Making
- BALKAN-AI HUB – Southeast European Excellence Hub for AI-Driven Economic and Financial Decision Support
- TRUST-AI-ECO – Trustworthy and Explainable AI for Economic, Financial and Public-Sector Decision Making
The cooperation aims to create opportunities for the development of joint projects within COST, the preparation of joint applications under Horizon Europe, research in the fields of AI and mathematical modelling, risk analysis, financial stability and uncertainty, economic forecasting and data-driven decision-making, as well as the development of training programs and summer schools, the promotion of academic mobility, and the production of joint publications.
This approach aims to strengthen the coordination of scientific and research activities, capacity building, academic mobility, and the establishment of new European partnerships, creating new opportunities for lecturers, researchers, doctoral candidates, and students at Mother Teresa University in Skopje.