At the recent CCHE International Conference on the Challenges of Contemporary Higher Education, organized in Kopaonik, Serbia, from January 29th until February 2nd, 2024 by the Conference of Academies for Applied Studies in Serbia (CAASS) and various Serbian higher education institutions, Dragan Bjelica delivered a keynote presentation on “PROJECT HORIZONS: YOUTH ENGAGEMENT IN PROJECT INITIATIVES IN THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA.” This research is conducted within the project “Engagement in Academic Achievements and Extracurricular Activities as Predictors of Life Satisfaction among High-school and University Students – SHINE”, and supported by the Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia, involved 1638 high school and university students aged 15-24 in Serbia. The study’s findings offer valuable insights into the positive influence of student organization membership on project participation and the perception of project management characteristics. Noteworthy are the gender differences highlighted in the research, indicating that female students exhibit higher levels of activity in project engagement compared to their male counterparts. This research makes a significant contribution to the ongoing conversation about the challenges faced by contemporary higher education and underscores the pivotal role of student involvement in shaping the academic landscape.
