THE BALKAN UNIVERSITIES ASSOCIATION AS A SCIENTIFIC NETWORK IN THE BALKAN REGION

Abstract

The subject of regionalism and policy harmonization in higher education at regional level attracts the interests of researchers especially after the adaptation of Bologna process in Europe in 1999. The main objective of our presentation is to evaluate the role of Balkan Universities Association (BUA) in determining its leading vision for the future through the universities in the Balkan region on the base of common universal values. As a regional scientific network in the area of language, culture, art, history, economy, education and sports, BUA is carrying out significant collaborative scientific works.
By exploring the historical background, the membership, the various activities and projects put into practice or to be achieved in the forthcoming years by the BUA, we shall try to determine in general terms the importance of cooperation between universities as a kind of soft power in the Balkans. We will also try to find out their valuable contribution to the sustainable development of the region in the conditions of complex interdependency due to the requirements of the globalization.