The Western Balkans Engineering Leadership Forum (WBELF), held on October 31 and November 1, 2024, gathered leaders from academia, government, and private sector companies at the forefront of industrial innovation, such as Siemens, Microsoft, Cisco, Quanser, Continental, NIDEC, Schneider, and others, as well as leading Serbian research institutions and technology parks. They discussed mitigating educational and business challenges related to creating and managing a sustainable talent ecosystem of engineering experts, innovators, and leaders skilled to excel in a rapidly changing business landscape transformed by automation and AI advancements.

WBELF is a premier regional forum developed by the Global Engineering Deans Council (GEDC) and the International Federation of Engineering Education Societies (IFEES), supported by the Big Small Businesses project. Other partners include the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), Quanser (advanced teaching and research solutions), the Board of European Students of Technology (BEST), and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS).

Over two dynamic and inspiring days, participants explored the most effective practices and pressing challenges in the engineering sector. The main highlights of the engaging series of panels, fireside chats, presentations, and the enthusiastic participation of vibrant audiences, particularly students, included:

AI as a Foundational Technology: Industry leaders emphasized AI’s integration into core business operations, linking it to sustainability, efficiency, and innovation. Examples ranged from Siemens’ large-scale investments to Johnson Electric’s use of AI in predictive maintenance.

Augmentation, Not Replacement: Engineers explored how AI enhances rather than replaces human labor, advocating for “business engineers” skilled in integrating market and sustainability considerations into technical roles.

Academic Modernization: Outdated curricula and limited exposure to new technologies remain barriers for students. Quanser demonstrated digital twin applications, showcasing how AI-powered simulations can revolutionize engineering education.

Proximity Drives Innovation: Collaborative ecosystems, such as the Novi Sad Science and Technology Park, illustrated the importance of physical and business integration between universities and industries to attract and retain talent.

The forum concluded with a collaborative brainstorming session, producing actionable strategies to tackle workforce challenges and strengthen partnerships for long-term success. WBELF highlighted the critical need for academic-industry synergy to navigate rapid technological change, positioning sustainable talent ecosystems as the foundation of regional innovation and competitiveness.

Encouragingly, participants responded positively, recognizing this meeting format as essential for sector development. The interest of the University of Kragujevac professor in pursuing ABET certification for one of the student curricula further underscores the initiative’s potential.  These outcomes pave the way for ongoing efforts, including actionable recommendations and annual trend monitoring to drive continued progress.