On 28 October 2026, the 14th edition of the Student Conference on Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Development, SKEEOR 2026, was officially opened at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technologies (FEIT). Held from 28 to 31 October, the conference once again brings together students, professors, researchers, representatives of public institutions, and industry professionals, united by a common goal: encouraging young people to develop innovative solutions to the challenges of the energy transition and sustainable development.
The opening ceremony was marked by the presence and welcome addresses of the Dean of FEIT, Prof. Dr. Vladimir Atanasovski; the Vice-Rector for Science of Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Prof. Dr. Ivana Janeska Stamenkovska; the Minister of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources, Ms. Sanja Božinovska; the President of the Engineering Institution of Macedonia, Dr. Andrej Lepavcov; the President of the Faculty Student Assembly of FEIT, Martin Todoroski; the President of SKEEOR, Petar Dimov; and the Conference Coordinator, Prof. Dr. Lihnida Stojanovska-Georgievska.
In his address, the Dean of FEIT, Prof. Dr. Vladimir Atanasovski, highlighted the importance of the conference’s continuity and its role in creating opportunities for student research, the exchange of ideas, and cooperation with industry. He emphasized that SKEEOR represents a successful example of connecting academic knowledge with practical challenges and societal needs, providing student research with greater visibility and opportunities for real-world application.
Minister Sanja Božinovska emphasized the importance of young engineers and researchers in the energy transition, noting that energy today is not merely a matter of production and consumption, but also of economic competitiveness, technological development, environmental protection, and quality of life. In her address, she encouraged students to continue conducting research and developing innovative ideas that could evolve into practical solutions to contemporary energy challenges.
The Vice-Rector for Science, Prof. Dr. Ivana Janeska Stamenkovska, highlighted the importance of scientific research, internationalization, and the active involvement of students in developing new technologies and sustainable solutions. She stressed the value of student scientific conferences as opportunities for young researchers to strengthen their research competencies, gain experience in scientific communication, and establish cooperation with the academic and professional communities.
The President of the Faculty Student Assembly of FEIT, Martin Todoroski, delivered a motivational message to his fellow students, encouraging them to become actively involved in scientific research and not to hesitate to present their ideas to academic and professional audiences. He emphasized the importance of student initiative, mutual support, and teamwork, noting that participation in conferences such as SKEEOR provides an opportunity to acquire new knowledge, build self-confidence, and gain valuable experience for further academic and professional development.
The President of SKEEOR, Petar Dimov, emphasized the unique value of the conference as an event created and organized by students, for students. In his motivational address, he encouraged his peers to take the opportunity to conduct research, develop their own solutions, and confidently present the results of their work. He highlighted that curiosity, dedication, and a willingness to learn are the most important qualities for participating in a scientific conference, and that SKEEOR provides precisely the environment where student ideas can be recognized, discussed, and further developed.
The Conference Coordinator, Prof. Dr. Lihnida Stojanovska-Georgievska, reflected on the development of SKEEOR, which, as it approaches its 15th anniversary, has grown into a recognized platform bringing together students, professors, companies, and institutions. She highlighted the dedication of generations of students who have contributed to the conference’s success by taking on the roles of organizers, researchers, and speakers, expressing particular gratitude to this year’s organizing team. She emphasized that, in an era of climate change, increasing energy consumption, and the growing need for clean energy sources, science, digitalization, and innovation must be translated into concrete solutions, while SKEEOR should continue to serve as a place where new ideas meet the courage to present them.
A special part of the opening ceremony was dedicated to recognizing and celebrating student research achievements, with awards presented for the best student research papers from SKEEOR 2025, under the patronage of the Ministry of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources. The awards, presented by Minister Sanja Božinovska, recognized two categories: the Most Innovative Proposed Solution and the Student Research Paper with the Greatest Potential Impact, further encouraging scientific research and innovation among young people.
A Rich Four-Day Programme Featuring Scientific Lectures, Student Research, and Practical Activities
The opening ceremony continued with the plenary lecture “AI at Every Scale: From Data Centers to Wearable Devices”, delivered by Prof. Dr. Hristijan Gjoreski from FEIT, focusing on the opportunities and challenges associated with the application of artificial intelligence in modern technological systems.
The SKEEOR 2026 programme, running until 31 October, includes scientific sessions featuring presentations of student research papers, plenary and invited lectures by distinguished national and international experts, company presentations, panel discussions, interactive workshops, and study visits.
The research presented at the conference covers a broad range of current topics, including renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, electric vehicles, automation and measurements, energy storage systems, artificial intelligence, environmental sustainability, emerging technologies and materials, and energy efficiency in industry and manufacturing.
Particular attention is devoted to the integration of renewable energy sources into power systems, battery energy storage systems, zero-emission buildings, the application of digital technologies, and the role of young people in the just energy and climate transition.
The programme also features presentations by companies from the energy and technology sectors, as well as the panel discussion “Ideas That Leave a Lasting Impact”, during which award-winning participants from previous editions of SKEEOR and other international student competitions will share their experiences and success stories.
A particularly valuable component of the conference is the programme dedicated to high school students. Through organized visits to FEIT laboratories and mentored workshops, they will have the opportunity to explore engineering disciplines and develop their own ideas for addressing energy and environmental challenges. The programme also includes a workshop on the application of drones in engineering, focusing on automatic control, autonomous inspection, and the safe operation of unmanned aircraft, as well as study visits to companies.
Young People as Drivers of the Energy Transition and Sustainable Development
With its 14th edition, SKEEOR reaffirms the role of students as active contributors to scientific research, innovation, and technological development. The conference continues to build bridges between academia, institutions, and industry, creating an environment in which student ideas can evolve into practical solutions, new partnerships, and opportunities for professional development.
By continuously encouraging research, interdisciplinary cooperation, and the international exchange of knowledge and experience, SKEEOR remains committed to its core mission: to inspire and support new generations of engineers in contributing to an energy-efficient, technologically advanced, and sustainable future.
For more information about the conference and its activities, please visit the official website:
https://skeeor.feit.ukim.edu.mk/?lang=mk.
