NCC Monetenegro will host the EuroCC4SEE Forum on HPC/AI-Enabled Business Innovation & PoC Demonstrations on 13–14 December, bringing together representatives from academia, industry, government, and the startup community. The two-day event will highlight how High-Performance Computing (HPC) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) can accelerate innovation, strengthen national capacities, and support Montenegro’s digital transformation.
Day 1 will focus on business innovation and policy perspectives, featuring opening remarks from national institutions, a keynote on the role of HPC and AI in economic growth, and a high-level panel on building Montenegro’s innovation ecosystem. The program will also include technical sessions, with PoC demonstrations developed through EuroCC4SEE in sectors such as energy, agriculture, health, and mobility, followed by a session on MLOpsapproaches moderated by the NCC Montenegro team. A networking and poster exhibition will showcase student work and local startup projects.
Day 2 will shift toward skills, education, and collaboration. Participants will explore national competence development in HPC/AI, talent pipeline building, and business–academia cooperation models through panels and an interactive workshop. The event will conclude with an overview of EU funding opportunities (Horizon Europe, EuroHPC JU, Digital Europe Programme) and a roadmap for further collaboration within the EuroCC4SEE network.
The forum aims to strengthen Montenegro’s position in the regional HPC/AI landscape and foster partnerships that empower innovation and research excellence.
The Second National AI Conference “AI DIREKTNO: Montenegro in the Time of AI Challenges” was held on 3 December 2025 at the Science and Technology Park of Montenegro, gathering leading representatives from government, academia, health institutions, industry, and the innovation ecosystem. The event was organized by the Association of Managers of Montenegro (AMM), the AMM Academy for Leadership, Management and Corporate Governance, and the Science and Technology Park of Montenegro.
NCC Montenegro took an active role throughout the conference, contributing to discussions on strengthening Montenegro’s AI ecosystem, responsible adoption of advanced technologies, and the importance of high-performance computing (HPC) for research, innovation, and industry. NCC-affiliated representatives participated in panel discussions focused on the practical impact of AI, digital transformation, and new opportunities emerging across sectors.
One of the key contributions came during the panel “A New Era of Business – How AI Is Changing the Rules of the Game”, where Prof. Dr. Tomo Popović (University of Donja Gorica & NCC Montenegro) highlighted real-world AI adoption, the growing need for scalable HPC resources, and the importance of building multidisciplinary teams capable of delivering trustworthy AI solutions. The discussion also featured insights from industry leaders, some of which are already using EuroHPC Ju access, on emerging business models and AI-driven innovation. Agenda avaliable at [link].
The panel included NCC team members and representatives from companies already using EuroHPC resources
Another important contribution from the NCC community was made earlier in the day by Mr. Milutin Pavićević, assistant at UDG and founder of the startup Zuno, who participated in the panel “Application of AI in Education, Healthcare, and Other Sectors.” He emphasized practical challenges startups face in implementing AI-driven products, and the value of national digital infrastructure and research institutions in supporting early innovation.
The other panel focused on AI and Healthcare sector
The conference also included an open talk with the Prime Minister, sector-specific panels on banking, healthcare, and education, and strategic reflections from Montenegro’s growing AI and tech community. NCC Montenegro’s participation reinforces its mission to support the adoption of AI and HPC technologies, strengthen skills development, and build an innovation ecosystem aligned with European standards and capabilities.
The conference also included an open talk with the Prime Minister
At the end of November 2025, representatives of NCC Montenegro visited the Verlab Institute and NCC Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo for a two-day working meeting held within the EuroCC4SEE framework. The visit focused on strengthening regional cooperation, supporting twinning and mentoring activities, and expanding joint engagement with academia and industry. The meetings brought together both NCC teams as well as IT industry stakeholders, underscoring the growing importance of SMEs in HPC and AI adoption across the Western Balkans.
Day 1: Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Alignment
The first day centred on aligning the two NCCs on upcoming activities and mapping joint priorities for the next three months. The discussions focused on student engagement, training coordination, and preparation of several regional events.
Continuation of NCC collaboration between NCC Montenegro and NCC Bosnia and Herzegovina
Key outcomes included:
NCC BiH participation in the NCC Montenegro Conference (13 December 2025), showcasing HPC/AI proof-of-concepts and project activities.
Joint planning of workshops and PoC support for companies, combining experiences from Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and building on ongoing collaborations with NCC Poland and NCC Latvia.
Agreement to co-organise major events in early 2026, including the AI in Medicine event in Montenegro and the Žabljak IT Conference.
Coordination on joint scientific publications, using existing datasets and aligning research topics across the two centres.
These discussions reaffirmed the value of EuroCC4SEE’s twinning and mentoring model, enabling both NCCs to share practices, strengthen their training pipelines, and streamline outreach to researchers and SMEs.
Both UDG and UCG representatives participated in the meetings with NCC BiH team
Day 2: Knowledge Exchange, SME Engagement, and Practical Collaboration
The second day focused on operational collaboration, with a workshop dedicated to industry outreach and experience exchange related to HPC and AI services. NCC Montenegro shared its methodology for working with companies, including how to communicate EuroHPC JU opportunities and guide SMEs through resource applications.
Day 2 included exchange of experiences, SME engagement, EuroHPC access to resources
A local IT company that already uses NCC BiH resources joined the discussion. Their participation added a practical industry perspective and resulted in commitments to:
take part in the AI in Medicine event in Montenegro,
join the Žabljak IT Conference,
explore deeper involvement in EuroHPC-supported pilot activities.
The workshop also enabled both NCCs to discuss effective utilisation of local HPC clusters, exchange good practices on scaling AI workloads, and review success factors for EuroHPC JU applications based on real user cases.
We discusssed joint PoC activities in medical and healthcare domains
Finally, the partners agreed to jointly explore Horizon Europe funding opportunities related to HPC scalability, applied AI, and capacity building—further extending the collaboration beyond EuroCC4SEE.
A Visit That Strengthened Regional Ties
The meetings in Sarajevo were assessed as highly productive, resulting in clear commitments, strengthened operational cooperation, and a shared plan for the months ahead. By combining training coordination, SME engagement, research collaboration, and strategic event planning, NCC Montenegro and NCC Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to build a more connected and capable regional HPC and AI ecosystem—fully aligned with the mission of EuroCC4SEE.
As part of the Digital Transformation course, representatives of the National Competence Centre for High-Performance Computing – NCC Montenegro, Ms. Sanja Nikolić and Dr Luka Filipović, delivered a guest lecture to final-year BSc students of the Faculty for Information Systems and Technologies (FIST) and the Faculty of Applied Sciences at the University of Donja Gorica. The session highlighted the growing strategic importance of High-Performance Computing (HPC) in research, innovation and business competitiveness.
HPC and Bussiness Opportunities for Digitial Transformation
Students were introduced to how HPC powers today’s AI systems, large-scale simulations, and data-intensive applications, and how this technological convergence opens new career and entrepreneurial opportunities. The lecture also showcased how HPC and AI are becoming critical enablers for SMEs and start-ups, transforming traditional industries and supporting advanced digital solutions in agriculture, energy, finance, and healthcare.
Ms Sanja Nikolic and Dr Luka Filipovic gave a lecture to final year students
The presenters also provided an overview of NCC Montenegro’s activities under the EuroCC/EuroCC4SEE initiative – including training opportunities, access to European supercomputers, SME onboarding support, and student involvement through research, master’s projects, and innovation-oriented proof-of-concepts. The lecture concluded with an open invitation for students to engage in upcoming NCC HPC/AI programs, internships, and applied research initiatives.
At the 14th Conference on Economics “Montenegro 2025”, organized by the Chamber of Economy of Montenegro in Budva, the services, activities, and results of the EUROCC / NCC Montenegro project were presented. This year’s conference, themed “Regional Economies Facing Today’s Challenges”, gathered over 400 participants from Montenegro, the region, and the European Union — representatives of business, institutions, and academia.
During the panel “Digital Transformation – Where Are We and Where Do We Need to Be”, the EUROCC / NCC Montenegro project was introduced in detail as an initiative that actively supports digital transformation and the development of innovation capacities in Montenegro through a network of services and expertise in High-Performance Computing (HPC), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Data Analytics.
The panel opened an important discussion on Montenegro’s current position on the path of digital development and the key steps needed to build a modern, connected, and technologically advanced society. Special emphasis was placed on the role of NCC Montenegro in strengthening cooperation between academia, industry, and the public sector, and in building a sustainable digital ecosystem.
The discussion was complemented by a video presentation showcasing EUROCC / NCC Montenegro’s activities, results, and available services for researchers, institutions, and the business community.
The participation of NCC Montenegro at the conference reaffirmed its strategic role in connecting research, education, and industry, and in fostering digital and innovation competitiveness in Montenegro.
The Chamber of Commerce of Montenegro, together with partners from the MontEENegro consortium – including the Ministry of Regional Development and Cooperation with NGOs, the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, UoM, and the Business Start-up Centre Bar – organized regional conference FINNO 2025 – Digital. Green. Sustainable, taking place on October 15, 2025, in Budva. FINNO is a regional initiative dedicated to strengthening innovation, SME competitiveness, and access to European networks and funding, developed under the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) framework.
This conference brought together key innovation ecosystem actors, policymakers, SMEs, start-up founders, researchers, business associations, and EEN partners across the Western Balkans and Europe. The program was opened by Mirsada Bošnjak, State Secretary at the Ministry of Regional-Investment Development and Cooperation with NGOs; Dr. Nina Drakić, President of the Chamber of Commerce of Montenegro; Muriel De Grande, Head of the Enterprise Europe Network programme at the European Commission; and Prof. Dr. Radoje Vujadinović, Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Montenegro.
The first panel, “Digital Transformation of SMEs – Challenges and Solutions,” highlighted the impact of emerging technologies on digital capacities and competences, knowledge and technology transfer, digital entrepreneurship, and innovative business models. The NCC Montenegro representative presented the Centre’s service and training portfolio, sharing practical insights from cooperation with industry, SMEs, and start-ups on leveraging HPC and AI technologies to optimize business processes, develop innovative products, and enhance digital competitiveness.
Beyond the first panel, FINNO 2025 explores topics such as Innovation ecosystem strengthening, European project synergies, Green transition and the circular economy. Participants also had opportunities to engage in B2B meetings with regional and European partners, start-ups, innovation centres, and research organizations.
Through its participation, NCC Montenegro reinforce its role as one of the driver of digital acceleration and innovation, highlighting the potential of HPC and AI services and NCC support for SMEs, and contributing to smart and sustainable growth in Montenegro and the Western Balkans.
The jubilee 30th International Conference INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES 2026 will be held from 24 to 28 February 2026 in Podgorica and Žabljak. The ceremonial academy on the occasion of the jubilee will be held in Podgorica on 24 February, and the working part of the conference will take place from 25 to 28 February in Žabljak. The Conference will feature lectures and round-table discussions on trends in the development of information and communication technologies worldwide, as well as current events in this field in Montenegro. In agreement with the Conference Organizing Committee, interested institutions may organize presentations of their scientific-research, professional, development, and production projects and achievements.
Clic on image to open IT2025 website
Authored papers submitted for presentation will be peer-reviewed and selected based on the complete paper. Papers should be prepared according to the instructions, which can be downloaded here: Instructions.doc.
Accepted papers written in English will be proposed for inclusion in IEEE Xplore, provided they meet the scope and quality requirements of IEEE Xplore, while other papers will be published in the IT conference proceedings.
Papers are submitted via Microsoft’s CMT system, which can be accessed through the “Paper submission” item in the menu. If you do not have an account on the Microsoft CMT system, you can create one via the same link.
We look forward to your support, suggestions and participation in the upcoming IT conference.
