Distinguished Attendees,
Esteemed Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my special pleasure to greet you today, at this Conference dedicated to the strengthening of cooperation between business community and universities. I would like to express my gratitude to the American Chamber of Commerce in Macedonia for the invitation and I also congratulate the organizers of this event.

The topic of this Conference is the everyday for many developed countries worldwide. Partnership between education, business and the state is generally accepted standard for achieving personal and collective success. But, for us, it is still a challenge.

Distinguished Attendees,

In the past period, Macedonia became known for the reforms. Everything that has been done so far, all investments in education, new technologies, opening up to foreign investment, changes in the areas of daily life, is a venture for young people. Investment in their present and future. Our common duty is to prepare them thereof.

The primary function of the universities is to educate people who will be competitive in the global labor market for their knowledge, skills and innovation. The primary function, however, of the companies is to contribute to the general success with their success. The state can and should be a facilitator and partner in creating conditions which would enable every student, every entrepreneur, every company to learn, develop and achieve its potential.

At a time when Macedonia opens up to the global market, it is necessary to return to the supply and demand model principles. Time has come when we need to reconsider the relationship between education and the real needs of business and society.

For our students and companies to be truly competitive we must fully overcome the situation in which supply does not correspond to the actual demand.

We have inherited conservative education system and a concept of student memorizing and professor concluding. Today, our higher education system should slowly but surely move towards the model of acquisition of applicable knowledge. The essence of the higher education is to offer knowledge acquisition method, and the programs offered should be aligned with the actual needs of the market and the society.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As President, and as a university professor, I meet regularly the best students from the universities in Macedonia. I am aware that there is a real vacuum in our educational system. We lack practical teaching and applicative knowledge. The price is paid by young professionals, companies, and the Macedonian economy.

I have understanding for the business community, too. To expect the companies to carry out the work of the universities is the same as your company to play the role of family where your child grows. The company can not take care of your child, as it can not teach the employee those things he was supposed to learn during his studies. The primary role of the companies is not educational, as the fundamental role of the universities is not economy and production.

There has to be increase in the coverage of business in higher education programs. We have to increase the practical work in the curricula. We must pay greater attention to the development of skills that students will be able to practically apply. Professional and managerial skills need to be developed through opportunities for establishing companies by students during their studies. Such a positive example already exists. The Foundation "Youth Entrepreneurial Service", through the business incubator, supports the formation of micro, small and medium enterprises in the field of information and communication technologies, in collaboration with the Faculty of Information Science and Computer Engineering.

I encourage you, the businessmen, to meet university rectors and faculty deans that educate staff for your needs and exchange views on the curriculum. I encourage you to share your practical experiences with students, through the lectures that would be part of the curriculum.

Distinguished Attendees,

I am confident that we will be successful in filling the system vacuum. I will mention three positive examples.

As President of the Republic of Macedonia I have launched a project – the School for Young Leaders, which will be held for the fourth time this year. 115 young leaders with different academic and professional background have been trained by now at this School. The School helps them become familiar with the most advanced knowledge and experience of proven leaders from around the world. The project is supported by the business community in Macedonia, and thus it invests in future leaders. I take this opportunity to thank all the companies which helped realize this noble goal. I believe that what I, as President of the Republic of Macedonia, am trying to achieve with the future leaders is applicable in all higher education institutions.

As a positive example of the private sector, I want to emphasize the initiative of the Foundation "Trajce Mukaetov". Starting from the academic 2007/08, the Foundation has awarded scholarships for a total of 222 pharmacy and medicine students. Dozen of them have already started their careers in "Alkaloid" AD Skopje.

Yet another example of the private sector I would mention here is the successful model offered by the Mikrosam Academy, which is constantly investing in education of talented young people.

Indeed, I welcome all the initiatives of the private sector. I encourage all of you to follow these examples.

Dear Friends,

My motto is that we should create future for the youth, but also youth for the future. To enable them to compete with the products of their minds and their efforts. We must prepare them for the challenges of the 21st century. Future for the youth implies creating adequate conditions for their employment. Youth for the future are high-educated people who with their imagination, creativity and competence will be in step with the times.

We want economy based on knowledge, economy that will be built on the triple partnership between universities, private sector and the government. These three pillars do not exclude, but complement each other, and adjust to the needs. I believe that through the concept of this triple partnership we will succeed.

Thank you.