BHFF Research Chair Kajs Hadžić Shares Reflections on CONNECT 2025 in Neum
At CONNECT 2025, held this summer in Neum, BH Futures Foundation’s Research Chair, Kajs Hadžić, delivered a speech and later shared his reflections on the conference experience. His feedback paints a vivid picture of a gathering that not only met but exceeded expectations, leaving participants inspired, connected, and energized.
A Conference That Excelled on Every Level
“It’s a rare occasion to nail a single aspect of a conference, let alone hit it out of the park on every single metric,” Kajs reflected. From the vibrant seaside location that encouraged natural networking, to a carefully designed program that balanced learning, fun, and interaction, CONNECT 2025 stood out as a model of how impactful conferences should be organized.
The event’s structure created the perfect environment for collaboration. The conference size was “just right,” allowing participants to interact without the need to force connections. By the end of the first day, most attendees had already connected, and by the end of the week, meaningful conversations and friendships had been formed across disciplines and countries.
Value Beyond Barriers
One aspect Kajs highlighted was the organizers’ effort to eliminate barriers for student participation. Covering student expenses, despite budget constraints, ensured that talented young researchers and future leaders from across the Western Balkans could attend without financial worries. “It goes without saying that covering the student expenses is a huge effort and eliminates any barriers to entry, which can be a big issue for the Western Balkan area, despite a budget cut, so hats off,” Kajs noted.
Content That Inspires Action
The content and style of presentations were another highlight. Sessions were structured in an engaging 40-minute presentation + 20-minute discussion format, leaving enough space for deep learning and active dialogue. Topics spanned crucial areas such as artificial intelligence, transitioning from academia to business, research funding, and entrepreneurship—tools essential for shaping the next generation of researchers and innovators.
The world café sessions provided a refreshing change of pace, empowering students to take the spotlight. Discussions on the Western Balkans’ integration into the European Research Area showcased diverse perspectives, bringing together voices from multiple fields and career stages. “It truly felt like it was bringing the Western Balkans closer to each other and to the ERA,” Kajs emphasized.
Flawless Organization and Atmosphere
Kajs praised the conference venue, the seamless handling of technical aspects, and the thoughtful balance between intense sessions and relaxing moments such as the mid-week excursion. The dedication of the organizers was clear: “Simply put, if conference organization were an art form, CONNECT is a priceless painting composed by the likes of van Gogh, Picasso, Monet, in the form of our very own Marcus, Ajla, Goran, Rifat, Gergely, Stevan, Stefan, and everyone else who was involved in the flawless execution.”
Looking Ahead
The only drawback, Kajs joked, was that the event did not last longer: “Who wouldn’t want to spend more time in such an inspiring environment at sea?”
As CONNECT looks toward its 8th edition in 2026, the relationships, ideas, and collaborations sparked this year are expected to carry forward into lasting impact. “I can’t wait to see what new friendships, collaborations, business ideas, and paradigm shifts come from this event,” Kajs concluded, underscoring the long-term value of CONNECT as a platform for knowledge-sharing, innovation, and community building.