CSKC to Participate in the 5th Forum on Vocational Excellence 2026 in Graz
From September 7 to 9, 2026, the Community of Practice of Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoP CoVEs) will host its fifth anniversary edition of the Forum on Vocational Excellence 2026. The landmark event will be hosted by the FH JOANNEUM University of Applied Sciences in Graz, Austria. Cluster Sofia Knowledge City (CSKC) will be represented at the forum by Dr. Milena Koleva, Project Manager at the cluster. Our participation highlights CSKC’s active role in developing innovative ecosystems for vocational education and training (VET) and establishing Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) within the ICT sector.
The INVESTech Project and its Synergy with the Forum
The cluster participates within the framework of the European project INVESTech (Innovation Vocational Excellence and Sustainability in Tech, Project No. 101143958), funded under the Erasmus+ program (Call: ERASMUS-EDU-2023-PEX-COVE). The INVESTech project brings together 18 partners from 5 European countries (Bulgaria, Slovakia, Greece, Cyprus, and Lithuania) and aims to:
- Establish and develop Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) in the ICT sector across borders.
- Implement the innovative Quintuple Innovation Helix (Q2IH) framework, connecting education, industry, research, public authorities, and societal/environmental stakeholders.
- Create national Innovation Labs (i-Labs) and Entrepreneurial Academies to foster digital, green, and entrepreneurial skill sets.
- Support the green and digital transitions through training in Advanced Technologies for Industry, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data, Internet of Things (IoT), Industry 5.0, and ICT for sustainability.
The objectives of INVESTech directly align with the core focus of the European Forum in Graz, where key discussions will center on how industry-education partnerships empower regional innovation ecosystems.
Theme and Key Highlights of the Forum (2026)
The overarching theme for this year's edition is "Dual Education and Training for Competitive Regions," focusing on best practices from both VET and Higher Education (HE).
The forum program includes:
- Keynote speeches and panel discussions featuring high-level experts from educational institutions, industry, public sector bodies, and NGOs. Speakers will share insights from CoVE projects, European University Alliances, and national/regional innovation initiatives.
- Sectoral workshops covering transversal and thematic topics related to dual and vocational education, digital transformation, and future skill demands.
- Study visits to leading high-tech companies and educational institutions across the Styria region.
About the Host and Location
Graz is Austria’s second-largest city and the capital of the Styria region - a hub renowned for its dynamic high-tech industry, strong R&D investments, and vibrant educational landscape. Hosting the event at FH JOANNEUM offers an ideal platform for exchanging knowledge with a leading European institution for applied sciences and dual training.
Key Information:
- Dates: September 7 – 9, 2026
- Location: FH JOANNEUM (Audimax), Graz, Austria
- CSKC Representative: Dr. Milena Koleva, Project Manager
- Details: For full program details and registration updates, visit the official CoP CoVEs website and follow their social media channels.
