The International University of Sarajevo (IUS) was proudly represented at the Uluslararası Balkanlar İşbirliği Kongresi (International Balkan Cooperation Congress), held from May 13 to 15, 2026, at Istanbul Ticaret University in Istanbul, Republic of Türkiye.
Representing IUS at this important international academic gathering was Prof. Dr. Mehmed Ganić, whose participation once again highlighted the University’s active role in regional academic dialogue and cooperation.
A particularly significant aspect of this year’s congress is that the International University of Sarajevo was among the co-organizers of the event, together with several distinguished higher education institutions from Türkiye, including İstanbul Medeniyet University, Istanbul University, Marmara University, Istanbul Ticaret University, and Trakya University. This further confirms IUS’s commitment to regional cooperation, academic excellence, and active engagement in important scholarly initiatives.
The congress brought together academics and experts from across the region to exchange ideas on issues of common importance, further strengthening academic and cultural ties between Türkiye and the Balkan countries. IUS’s role as a co-organizer reflects the University’s continued dedication to building meaningful international partnerships and contributing to academic platforms that promote dialogue and cooperation.
As part of the scientific program, Prof. Dr. Mehmed Ganić successfully presented his paper titled “Financial Inclusion, Inclusive Growth, and Economic Cooperation in Post-Transition Economies of the Former Yugoslavia.” His presentation attracted significant attention and sparked valuable discussion among participants from both Türkiye and the Balkan region, underlining the relevance of the research conducted at IUS and its contribution to contemporary academic and policy discussions.
The strong response to the presentation, together with the overall spirit of collaboration at the congress, further demonstrated the importance of sustaining academic and cultural exchange between institutions in the region. Building on the success of this year’s event and recognizing the value of continued cooperation, it was proposed that the International University of Sarajevo host the next edition of the conference in 2028.
This proposal represents both an acknowledgment of IUS’s contribution to the congress and a strong sign of the University’s growing role in regional academic cooperation. Through its participation in and co-organization of events such as the International Balkan Cooperation Congress, the International University of Sarajevo continues to strengthen its international visibility and reaffirm its position as an active and respected partner in the academic life of the region.
