ChallengeEU Talent Academy: Meet The Researchers at the SEEU
Join us for an inspiring ChallengeEU Talent Academy session! ‘Meet the Researchers’ training session aims to empower early-career researchers (PhD students) to develop impactful, socially relevant research—and to turn their findings into real-world results. If you’re an early-career researcher, this session is for You! Grab your coffee and enjoy three research case studies that will generate new research topics and motivate your academic journey. Speakers: Veland Ramadani, Veli Kreci, Fortesa Asani, Lejla Ademi Shaqiri, Shqipe Salii. Adaptive Federated Learning Architecture for Breast Cancer Prediction Breast cancer prediction: exploring the use of artificial intelligence and data analytics in advancing digital healthcare, and reflecting on the ethical dimensions of predictive modelling. Indoor air pollution monitoring Indoor air pollution and environmental monitoring: illustrating how digital sensors and sustainable technologies can be employed to address public health and ecological challenges. Subjective well-being and welfare stigma Subjective well-being and welfare stigma: examining social research approaches that capture lived experiences and social inequalities through mixed and participatory research.
Orange for Awareness at SEEU: Empowering Law Students Against Gender-Based Violence
South East European University (SEEU), through its Faculty of Law and the ODEI Working Group (Openness, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) of the ChallengeEU project, launched the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence with the seminar “Orange for Awareness: Empowering Law Students Against Gender-Based Violence.” This year’s global theme, “UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls”, guided the keynote messages and discussions throughout the event. The seminar opened with remarks by Prof. Dr. Arta Mero, who emphasized the importance of preparing future legal professionals to address both physical and digital forms of violence against women and girls. She highlighted SEEU’s ongoing commitment to fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive academic environment for all students. The event brought together law students, academic staff, NGOs, gender-based violence activists, and participants from ChallengeEU partner universities who joined online. The presence of SEEU’s leadership demonstrated strong institutional support: Rector Prof. Dr. Sadudin Ibrahimi, Pro-Rector Prof. Dr. Veland Ramadani, and Prof. Dr. Besa Arifi, Advisor for Community and International Relations. The seminar featured a series of powerful contributions from experts and practitioners in the field. Vilma Dule, activist and survivor of gender-based violence, offered a deeply personal and academic reflection in her presentation “Rebirth as an Act of Resistance.” Elizabeta Bozhinovska, Programme Director at HERA, highlighted the importance of comprehensive services for victims, perpetrators, and men in crisis. From the University of Tetova, Prof. Dr. Hana Saliu discussed the psychological impacts of gender-based violence and the therapeutic interventions available to survivors. SEEU’s Prof. Dr. Albana Meta-Stojanova examined the alarming rise of femicide in her talk “Femicide: Chronicle of a Foretold Murder,” while Prof. Dr. Vedije Ratkoceri provided an overview of the criminal legal framework for protection against gender-based violence and its alignment with international standards. A special highlight of the event was the acknowledgment of the “Emine Zendeli” Legal Clinic, which supports victims of gender-based violence through primary legal assistance and offers students essential practical training and real-case experience. Today’s seminar reaffirmed that gender-based violence is not only a legal or institutional challenge, but a shared social responsibility. Only through cooperation among universities, institutions, organizations, activists, and students can we build a safer, fairer, and more humane society. SEEU and ChallengeEU remain committed to safeguarding human rights and standing united against all forms of gender-based violence. Together, we rise against gender-based violence.
Family Law through ODEI M.A.R.K.E.T.: Student Perspectives
Family Law through ODEI M.A.R.K.E.T.: Student Perspectives is an academic and creative showcase designed for students of the Faculty of Law, university staff, and invited stakeholders. Family Law through ODEI M.A.R.K.E.T.: Student Perspectives is a dynamic academic event, organized within the ChallengeEU Project, designed to bring together students, mentors, university staff, and key stakeholders from the legal and social sectors. The showcase presents student-led research on essential topics in family law through the principles of Openness, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI) and the guiding pillars of the M.A.R.K.E.T. model: Multi-actor collaboration: engaging students, mentors, faculty, legal professionals, NGOs, and community members Knowledge exchange: enabling open dialogue between academia, practice, and community sectors Team-based learning: strengthening teamwork, communication, and critical thinking within student groups and mentors Research engagement: encouraging analytical exploration of Family Law through ODEI frameworks Cross-sector participation: Promoting inclusive perspectives in legal education and policy reflection Students will present their work through poster, research presentations and policy-oriented reflection. This event will: Promotes inclusive and modern legal education Strengthens research, presentation, and advocacy skills Encourages dialogue on equality, justice, and human rights Connects students with professionals and institutions Prepares future jurists for ethical, critical, and inclusive practice Participants of the event: University students (SEEU and other universities) High school students and professors Academic and administrative staff of SEEU Law professionals NGO representatives Judges, Attorneys, Notaries
Orange for Awareness: Empowering Law Students Against Gender-Based Violence
This seminar is organized within the framework of the ChallengeEU project, as part of the ODEI Working Group (WP5), which aims, among other objectives, to strengthen students’ capacities in addressing gender-based violence. “Orange for Awareness” is an activity that brings together professionals from the legal system, mental health, civil society, and activism to create a shared space for education, reflection, and awareness on one of the most serious human rights challenges. Aligned with the 2025 theme of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence “UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls”, the seminar emphasizes the growing importance of combating violence in both physical and digital spaces. It aims to equip students with legal, psychological, and practical knowledge, preparing them to become professionals committed to justice, victim protection, and fostering social change. The Legal Clinic “Emine Zendeli”, through its role in providing primary legal assistance, enables students to respond professionally to real cases of gender-based violence, strengthening the connection between theory, practice, and ethical engagement in the protection of human rights. Join online: https://meet.google.com/upq-ikjb-ena Involved institutions and partners: Max Vander Stoel Institute; Cortex; Mollekuqja, Margini, Hera; Shega; Centre for Women Support
Strengthening University–Industry Cooperation: HSO and SEEU Delegations Visit Associated Partner
Representatives from Hochschule Offenburg (HSO) visited South East European University (SEEU) in North Macedonia and the agrifood company Veze Sharri as part of the ChallengeEU Alliance. The visit strengthened university–industry cooperation and created new opportunities for students, research collaboration and regional development in the Polog region. A delegation from HSO led by Prof. Dr. Stephan Trahasch, Rector, and Prof. Dr. Tobias Hagen, Vice-Rector for Internationalization and Managing Director of ChallengeEU, visited South East European University (SEEU) in North Macedonia, where they met with Prof. Dr. Sadudin Ibraimi, Rector, SEEU’s high management, and the ChallengeEU teams. Connecting ChallengeEU with the Agrifood Sector As part of the ongoing efforts to advance university-industry partnerships within the ChallengeEU Alliance, they visited Veze Sharri, one of the project’s associated partners and a leading agrifood company in the Polog region. The visit was organized and led by the M.A.R.K.E.T. Officer of ChallengeEU, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Shpresa Alija from South East European University (SEEU). During the meeting, the owner of Veze Sharri, Arben Abdurahmani, welcomed the delegation and presented the company’s development, production processes, and strategic vision. The delegation emphasized that Veze Sharri plays an important role not only as a regional business leader but also as a contributor to local development, workforce capacity building, and knowledge transfer. Through its involvement in ChallengeEU, the company will provide SEEU students with meaningful opportunities for practical learning, professional growth, and exposure to real-sector challenges and future innovation initiatives.This visit marks an important step toward strengthening long-term collaboration within the ChallengeEU ecosystem and creating impactful pathways for students, academic staff, and the local community. Joint Pathways for Students and Research During their time in North Macedonia, the delegation led by SEEU Project Lead, Prof. Veli Kreci, met with staff from Max van der Stoel Institute and the ChallengeEU team, followed by a meeting with Rector Ibraimi and the university’s management team: Academician Prof. Abdylmenaf Bexheti, Prof. Veland Ramadani, Prof. Besa Arifi, and Prof. Florije Ismaili. The discussions centred on academic collaboration, digital initiatives, and areas of shared interest. The visit concluded with a meeting coordinated by Prof. Dr. Mennan Selimi and the SEEU deans to review possibilities for developing joint and double-degree study programmes in engineering, computer science/AI and business.
For Better Communication: Internal Training at SEEU
Effective internal communication is key to the success of any international alliance — and the ChallengeEU Alliance is no exception. With this in mind, the Work Package 6 (WP6) team, which leads communication and dissemination efforts across the Alliance, organized a dedicated internal training session at South East European University (SEEU) on 2 July. The training, titled “Internal Communication Tools and Effective Collaboration”, aimed to strengthen coordination among different teams involved in the ChallengeEU project at SEEU and to establish a more unified and effective communication culture across all university departments engaged in the initiative. The session was led by Edlira Palloshi Disha, communication specialist and researcher at the Max van der Stoel Institute (MVDSI), who introduced key tools, techniques, and principles for impactful communication within a complex, multi-stakeholder environment. Drawing from practical experience, Nerodia Selimi from SEEU’s Public Relations Office shared valuable best practices and examples from the university’s communication strategy. The training brought together a diverse group of participants representing all SEEU work packages involved in ChallengeEU, including colleagues from Participants included representatives from the International Relations Office, Career Center, the Pro-Rector for Digitalization, Business Innovation Center, MVDSI’s Project Coordination Unit, deans, and other academic staff and administrative offices across the university. This broad participation created a dynamic environment for knowledge-sharing and collective reflection. One of the session’s main objectives was to initiate a more standardized internal communication framework across SEEU’s project teams, ensuring smoother collaboration, clearer messaging, and improved responsiveness. Participants actively engaged in discussions on: The training session laid the groundwork for more efficient collaboration within SEEU and, by extension, within the broader ChallengeEU Alliance. By aligning internal communication practices, the university is taking a critical step toward ensuring that the Alliance functions as a truly integrated and collaborative ecosystem. This event highlights how internal capacity building can directly contribute to the success of international cooperation — reinforcing ChallengeEU’s core mission to bring European universities together to tackle shared challenges through joint innovation, research, and education
Paving the Way for the Talent Academy: ChallengeEU at ISCBE 2025
The 8th International Scientific Conference on Business and Economics (ISCBE), hosted by South East European University (SEEU), provided an excellent platform for international dialogue and innovation. As part of the event, a dedicated Networking Event brought together international students and industry experts to co-create the vision for the Talent Academy – one of the key initiatives within the ChallengeEU alliance. The session served as an inspiring forum for exchanging ideas and aligning academic ambition with practical realities. Participants emphasized the importance of strengthening the bridge between higher education and the labour market. Key outcomes included: 🔹 Aligning academic programs with real-world industry needs🔹 Focusing on hands-on learning, internships, and mentoring🔹 Enhancing cooperation between universities, businesses, and institutions🔹 Improving accessibility through flexible, inclusive learning opportunities – including online formats🔹 Promoting a culture of continuous improvement driven by feedback The insights gained during the event will play a crucial role in developing a future-ready Talent Academy that is inclusive, innovative, and closely connected to the evolving demands of the job market. The ChallengeEU Talent Academy will provide early-career researchers and lifelong learners with bothmethodological capacities and entrepreneurial skills, enabling them to undertake socially-relevant research and/oreffectively translate research findings. Reciprocal learning with and from stakeholders, as well as transdisciplinarylearning, will support and foster the open innovation processes within the Alliance.
LBTU hosts programme “Media Literacy for Future Leaders”
The Institute of Social and Humanitarian Sciences of the Faculty of Economics and Social Development (ESAF) at the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (LBTU) has successfully completed the Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) project “Media Literacy for Future Leaders”. Among the participants were students and lecturers from ChallengeEU partner universities — Hochschule Offenburg, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, and South East European University (SEEU) — joined by representatives of the Estonian University of Life Sciences. The program was led by an international team of lecturers, including five LBTU faculty members from ESAF and guest lecturers – professor Edlira Palloshi Disha from North Macedonia, media science professor Urszula Doliwa, and associate professor Magdalena Szydłowska from Poland. The programme focused on media literacy, critical thinking, and intercultural communication — equipping students with tools to analyze digital content, detect disinformation, and craft meaningful messages. Following an initial online seminar, participants gathered for a vibrant study week in Jelgava, featuring hands-on workshops, cultural visits to Riga and Rundāle Palace, and student presentations during the international conference “Students on Their Way to Science”. It was a great experience, as reflected in the words of one of the participants: “I would like to sincerely thank you for the wonderful experience during the Blended Intensive Programme in Latvia. It was an incredibly enriching opportunity, both academically and personally. I am truly grateful for the chance to participate, to meet inspiring peers, and to learn from outstanding professors. The organization and hospitality throughout the programme were exceptional. I truly appreciate all the efforts that made this an unforgettable experience”. >>> More information
