Verlab Institute proudly participated in the Ministerial Meeting of the Western Balkans Steering Platform on Research and Innovation, an event organized by the European Commission and the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC). This high-level meeting serves as a key policy dialogue platform between the European Union and Western Balkan countries, aiming to enhance cooperation in science, research, innovation, and education, as the essential pillars for advancing regional integration into the European Research Area (ERA).
The participation of Verlab Institute at this level marks a significant recognition for Bosnia and Herzegovina, as it reflects the growing role of independent research institutions in shaping regional and European innovation policies.
Representing Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dr. Lejla Gurbeta Pokvić, Director of Verlab Institute, took part as the head of the first independent research institute in the country. She held productive discussions with leaders of major European initiatives for startups, research, and development, addressing both the challenges and opportunities of connecting the research and industrial sectors in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Through her presentation, Dr. Gurbeta Pokvić showcased how independent scientific institutions can serve as bridges between academia and industry, driving innovation, strengthening collaboration, and accelerating the country’s path toward EU integration through science and technology.
In the session dedicated to the COST Association, Dr. Adna Ašić, project manager at Verlab Institute, shared insights into the Institute’s leadership within the COST framework. She presented the ongoing EU-LI-PHE (CA22112) Action and announced the upcoming CardioPharmaGENET (CA24165) Action, which will officially begin at the end of October, marking a historic milestone for Bosnia and Herzegovina as the first-ever COST Action fully coordinated from Bosnia and Herzegovina. In her talk, Dr. Ašić emphasized the importance of continuous skills development, interdisciplinarity, and collaboration across Europe, underlining how these efforts empower emerging researchers and bring science and innovation closer together.
The participation of Verlab Institute in this Ministerial Meeting represents not only national recognition but also a symbol of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s growing contribution to European science and innovation, showing that excellence, independence, and collaboration are key drivers of progress in the region.
