At the International University Rectors Conference in Rome, the University mission considered

The International University Rectors Conference and XV International Symposiums of University Teachers entitled “What is the mission of the university today? Formation, Research, Innovation, Work, Wisdom” will be held on 8 and 9 November 2018 in Rome. The conference is organized by the Ministry of Education, University and Research of the Republic of Italy, the Roman Pontifical Universities Rectors' Conference and the Roman Vicariate. The conference is being held in the Pope's Villa Modragone, in which the “new time” was proclaimed, or the transition from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar.

Prof. Dr. Aleksandra Nikolić, UNSA Vice-Rector for International Cooperation, took part in this extremely important conference, at which was discussed the question of whether global challenges, cultural changes and social innovations are a new mission for universities.

At the Conference were discussed topics related to global problems, especially those related to the quality of the environment and life in general, the emergence of an increasing number of isolated parts of society, the increase of poverty and the global perception that we are taking the wrong turn. It is emphasized that universities should now play a key role in educating young people who will critically observe the world and be able to innovate and contribute to the creation of a “new model” that will translate global economic growth into the prosperity and sustainability of the entire planet. In this sense, as pointed out, it is necessary to first change the paradigm that universities live and work, or create a social innovation - to recreate a university that is part of the local community, and by understanding local actors, creating a productive and vital cooperative international network, contributes to change in the global level.