BEAMING Stakeholder Networking Event Held at Educons University: Connecting Academia, Industry, and Policy in Practice-Oriented Dialogue on Bioeconomy

Organized as part of the Educons University Board of Directors annual meeting, on June 25, 2025, Educons University hosted the BEAMING Stakeholder Networking Event – Connecting Academia, Industry, and Policy in Practice-Oriented Dialogue on Bioeconomy, in its ceremonial hall in Sremska Kamenica. The event brought together university leadership, professors, researchers, students, alumni, and representatives from industry and public institutions, with a common goal: to strengthen cooperation in addressing challenges and opportunities in the field of bioeconomy.

The event was formally opened by Prof. Dr. Mira Pucarević, Rector of Educons University, and Prof. Dr. Andrea Andrejević Panić, Vice-Rector for Science and International Cooperation, alongside faculty deans. In their opening remarks, they emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and academic-industry-policy synergy in fostering sustainable innovation. A symbolic highlight of the gathering was the unveiling of the sculpture “Unfastening the Future”, representing the vital link between science, education, and industry. During the Insight Session titled “Forging Alliances Between Academia and Business”, participants explored the ongoing progress and future directions of the BEAMING project and the development of Communities of Practice (CoPs) aimed at supporting cross-sector collaboration in the bioeconomy domain. At the event, representatives from the following companies were present: NP Fruška Gora, JP Vojvodinašume, Elixir Group, Sava Coop, Energy Net, Jugoinspekt Novi Sad, NS Seme, SteelImpex, Sferikom, MK Group Sunoko, Agro Plus Energy, and the Institute of Internal Auditors.

The event also included the session “Building Communities of Practice: Educational Innovation and Cross-Sector Collaboration”, where new models of knowledge transfer and stakeholder engagement were presented as tools for strengthening applied research and practical outcomes. Success stories from Educons University alumni—Zlatko Milićević, Technology Application Engineer at MK Group, and Dr. Suzana Knežević from the Academy of Vocational Studies Šabac—demonstrated the long-term value of connecting academic training with professional practice.

In the final session, a panel discussion focused on how university-driven services, research, and educational programs can address real-world environmental and economic challenges. Special attention was given to the design of sustainable outsourcing solutions aligned with the needs of industry partners within the bioeconomy sector. The event concluded with a networking reception and the introduction of potential new members of the BEAMING Community of Practices, reaffirming the shared vision that collaboration across academia, industry, and policy is essential for innovation, knowledge exchange, and sustainable development.

Beanin’s EDU CoPs member – Agro Plus Energy doo has significant presentation of its bioeconomy activities, as mister Srđan Miljanić, General  Manager has presented a good practice example of how all the agricultural processes can be done within models of circular economy and bioeconomy.

EDU has announced planned activities for its CoP members for september, when we are planning of a meeting on the bioeconomy implementation