It is with great pleasure and pride that we announce that, on 24 April 2026, we successfully held our first international symposium entitled “Healthcare for the Future – Education, Competencies and the New Role of Nurses and Healthcare Technicians”, at the premises of our college of applied studies in Belgrade.
As the organisers, we are extremely proud of the quality of the programme, the diversity of topics, and the participation of distinguished healthcare experts from Serbia and abroad, who contributed to the exchange of contemporary approaches in the education and practice of healthcare professionals through their knowledge, experience and dedication. The symposium was accredited for nurses and healthcare technicians, and participants received 6 Continuing Medical Education points.
The programme was structured into three thematic sessions:
I Thematic Session: Education and Competencies in the Contemporary Healthcare System
“Higher Education of Nurses in the Republic of Serbia – Challenges and Development Perspectives”, Prof. Dr Srđan Stojanović
College of Applied Studies – International Centre for Professional Studies, Belgrade, Serbia
“Educating Nurses for the Future Care of Older Adults: Preparing the System and Professional Competencies – Experience from Albania”, Erlini Kokalla, MPH, Assistant Lecturer
Faculty of Medicine, University of “Ismail Qemali” in Vlora, Albania
“Contemporary Methods in the Education of Healthcare Professionals – Medical Simulation Using Manikins, Experiences from Norway”, Marija Todorović, Lecturer, MA in Psychology
ICEPS, Belgrade, Serbia
“The OSCE Examination in the Education of Healthcare Professionals: The Future of Knowledge and Skills Assessment – Experiences from Norway”, Assoc. Prof. Marko Stojiljković
Oslo Metropolitan University, Norway
II Thematic Session: Education in the Function of Quality, Integration and Professional Development in the Healthcare System
“The Role of Education in the Development of Integrated Healthcare and Innovative Approaches – Experience from Bosnia and Herzegovina”, Assoc. Prof. Dr Amer Ovčina
Clinical Centre of the University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
“The Role of Education and Human Resource Development in Laboratory Services”, Ivana Milutinović, MD, Lecturer, Specialist in Clinical Biochemistry
Health Centre Ćuprija, Serbia
“Practice-Oriented Education in Contemporary Radiology: Developing the Competencies of Applied and Master Medical Radiographers – Experience from Serbia”, Mirjana Radovanović, Professional Practice Associate, Master Applied Medical Radiographer
Clinical Hospital Centre “Dr Dragiša Mišović – Dedinje”, Serbia
Panel Discussion:
“The Future of Education for Nurses and Healthcare Technicians: Challenges, Competencies and International Experiences”
Moderator: Vesna Imbronjev, Professional Practice Associate, Master Applied Nurse
Participants: Prof. Dr Srđan Stojanović; Erlini Kokalla, MPH, Assistant Lecturer; Marija Todorović, Lecturer, MA in Psychology; Assoc. Prof. Marko Stojiljković; Assoc. Prof. Dr Amer Ovčina; Ivana Milutinović, MD, Lecturer; Mirjana Radovanović, Professional Practice Associate, Master Applied Medical Radiographer.
III Thematic Session: Specialised Areas, Prevention and the Development of Professional Skills among Healthcare Professionals
“International Approaches to Education and the Development of Nursing Care in the Field of Lymphoedema: Evaluation of Healthcare Intervention Projects According to the UK Model and Standards”, Tamara Košević, MSc in Global Health and International Development, Clinical Specialist in Lymphoedema Management
Princess Grace Hospital, London, United Kingdom
“The Importance of Education and Clinical Experience in the Prevention of Complications in Dermatology”, Slađana Ilić, Lecturer, MSc, Specialist in Dermatovenerology, Subspecialist in Allergology
General Hospital “Medical System”, Belgrade, Serbia
“The Importance of Writing Professional Papers for the Continuous Professional Education of Healthcare Workers”, Nina Smiljanić, MD, Lecturer, Specialist in Social Medicine, Subspecialist in Medical Informatics
Serbian Medical Chamber – Regional Medical Chamber of Vojvodina, Serbia
Workshop:
“The Power of Calmness and a Clear Attitude: Emotional Intelligence and Assertiveness in the Everyday Work of Healthcare Professionals”, Zoran Ilić, MD, Specialist in Psychiatry
Axis Psychiatric Practice, Belgrade, Serbia
Throughout all thematic sessions, we addressed key issues in contemporary healthcare education and practice, with a special focus on the development of competencies, the improvement of healthcare quality, and the strengthening of the role of nurses and healthcare technicians.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all participants, lecturers and associates for their trust, professionalism and contribution to the realisation of this important event. Your dedication and willingness to exchange knowledge represent a foundation for the further development of the healthcare system.
We also extend our gratitude to all healthcare professionals — because with you, and because of you, Healthcare for the Future begins NOW.
On this occasion, we would also like to thank our sponsors who supported this important event: GALEN FOKUS, Maymedica, Vicor, NB TEX-Company, ROSA and LAVAZZA.
ICEPS will continue to develop and improve initiatives of this kind, with the aim of enhancing the education and professional competencies of healthcare professionals.
We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming symposiums — this was a wonderful beginning for all of us!
