The President fo the Republic of Macedonia Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, as a patron of the Annual Conference  of IAESTE – the International Association for Exchange of Students for Technical Experience, being held for the first time this year in Macedonia, addressed at the solemn ceremony which also marked the jubilee – 20 years IAESTE Macedonia.

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends,
With great pleasure I have accepted to be the patron of this outstanding international event that brings together theory and practice, knowledge and application of acquired knowledge, but also science and entrepreneurship.

The honor for Macedonia as host of this event, as well as for me as patron is even greater since this year we are marking three important anniversaries: 65 years of IAESTE being active globally. Six decades since the establishment of IAESTE Macedonia as local committee and 20 years since the transformation of that local committee into the Macedonian Association for the International Exchange of Students for Technical Experience – IAESTE Macedonia.

Throughout the decades, IAESTE enabled thousands of students to be trained in companies worldwide. Today, we are proud to say that IAESTE Macedonia is one of the most active national committees per capita in the world and the largest organization with student exchange program in Macedonia.

Esteemed attendees,
The moto of this Conference is: “IAESTE – The whole world comes to Macedonia!” and, believe me, there is a reason for this.

Year by year, Macedonia is increasingly becoming a more attractive destination for professional practice. Technical sciences in our country are experiencing their renaissance, and many young people see their future exactly in the universal language of engineering, electronics, mechanics. Macedonia is open for any kind of cooperation, including exchanges, tourism and investment. Macedonia intends to establish not only natural resources based economy, but also knowledge based economy, with dedicated, educated and hardworking people who aspire to practice what they have learnt. I believe they should be given such an opportunity, since they deserve it.

Respected IAESTE members,
Your organization allows us to build a sense of unity, of shared responsibility among the involved parties, the students, the universities and the companies. This particularly refers to you, the students, who have an extraordinary opportunity to apply what you know, to gain priceless practice, which is especially important for all who strive for technical perfection. Remember that only the fusion of theory and practice gives great results.

It is known that the real drivers of progress are those individuals who find ways to do things faster, more effectively and efficiently. Exactly the sciences you have chosen to study can bring you overall benefit, progress and success. It is exactly where I see the value of your profession.

All of you, regardless of where you come from, are people with open minds who contemplate beyond the established (patterns) frames. Your potential is undoubted. Therefore, you should make use of the 60-year partnership between universities, student organizations and companies that IAESTE offers and work on your own professional advancement. That is your future and the future of your countries.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would like to send a message to our companies which are already engaged or soon will be involved in this noble initiative. If we agree that IAESTE brings the whole world in Macedonia, and it has done so, for it unites 87 countries in the world, with an exchange of more that 6500 students annually who gain invaluable experience, then IAESTE is a strong link between the Macedonian companies and the world. Therefore, take the opportunity that the exchange student program offers. Invest in these young people because they will lead the technical and technological development of our country. Invest in them, because they will connect you with the world. Invest in them because they are the main Macedonian resource, they are your but also our future.

At the end, let me quote the great creator, inventor and visionary, the recently deceased Steve Jobs, who conveyed the following message to the Stanford University graduates:

"Your time is limited, so do not waste it living someone else's life. Do not be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Do not let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary."

Hoping that the Conference will result in many new exchanges, new partnerships and friendships, I wish you many professional successes in future.

Thank you.