On 23 September 2026, a working meeting was held in Kichevo between the President of the Regional Chamber based in Kichevo, Goran Petrevski, and the Dean of the Faculty of Law – Kichevo, Prof. Dr. Svetlana Veljanovska, to examine avenues for establishing and advancing long-term institutional cooperation between the two organizations. The meeting underscored the vital importance of linking academia with the business sector, particularly in producing skilled, practice-oriented graduates and achieving closer alignment between higher education programs and the practical needs of the economy and labor market.

The Dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof. Dr. Svetlana Veljanovska, highlighted the initiative to build systematic, enduring cooperation with the Regional Chamber. Through this partnership, students would gain broader opportunities to acquire hands-on knowledge and field experience, while enterprises could engage more actively in preparing future legal professionals.

The President of the Kichevo Regional Chamber, Goran Petrevski, outlined the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia's broader initiative for higher education reforms. These reforms focus on systematically structuring practical training, revitalizing professional/applied study programs, and building strategic partnerships between higher education institutions and the business sector.

The initiative builds on the positive results and track record of implementing dual vocational education at the secondary school level, as well as the clear demand voiced by the business community for enhanced practical competencies during university studies. In this context, institutional partnerships between universities and enterprises emerge as a critical vehicle for developing a workforce that directly answers modern labor market requirements.

To translate this cooperation into concrete steps, the upcoming period will focus on developing a partnership model enabling regional companies to support targeted student scholarships, internship programs, mentorships, and other joint educational initiatives. This approach establishes a direct, lasting link among students, academia, and industry, fostering mutual benefits by unlocking better career trajectories for young legal minds while equipping companies with personnel skilled in practical application and market-ready competencies.