The University American College Skopje (UACS) celebrated its 20th anniversary with a milestone event that brought together representatives from the business community, the diplomatic corps, academic and UACS staff. The ceremony highlighted two decades of excellence, partnership, and innovation in higher education, marking a celebration of the past and also a powerful step toward the future.

During the event, UACS officially launched its new “Honoring Legacy” Scholarship Program, a long-term initiative that connects academia with the business sector to support young talent and promote active investment in human capital in North Macedonia.

The “Honoring Legacy” initiative unites UACS and its corporate partners in a shared mission to strengthen access to quality education, nurture the next generation of changemakers, and reaffirm the importance of business–academia cooperation in building a sustainable future.

The first Founding Partners of the initiative are Fashion Group, Gulf Oil Macedonia, and the Enver Maliqi Foundation.

Through the UACS Recognition Awards, we also honored long-term partners such as the embassies of Italy, Spain, Austria, the USA, France, and the Czech Republic, as well as Pakomak, Makprogres Group, Halkbank, Gorska, National Agency for European Educational Programmes and Mobility, Ljubeznost, and the Dyslexia Association “Einstein” for their contribution to education, innovation, and social impact.

In her first public address as Rector, Prof. Venera Krliu, PhD reflected on the legacy and the vision of UACS:

“UACS has always believed that education is not just the transmission of knowledge, it is an investment in people. Our strength is not measured by the number of graduates, but by their courage, their curiosity, and their ability to make a difference in society.

She added: “As a university, we move forward with new ideas, new directions, and new visions. We will invest in international partnerships, research, and digital transformation, but also in human energy - because the future belongs to those who dare to dream and create. Our goal is clear: to be a place where young people are not afraid to think differently, where every new thought, every idea that can be a driving force for a better tomorrow is encouraged.”

The celebration concluded with a reception and live music, symbolizing a new chapter for UACS, one built on legacy, innovation, and partnership.