"Increasing the democratization of access to higher education makes it possible to meet the ever-increasing demand for higher education programs in European countries. It also contributes to the development of European knowledge-based economies. Countries are becoming increasingly clear about the advantages found in dual approaches and are increasingly asked to choose a cooperative approach between public and private institutions instead of a competitive one," pointed out Dr. Baarbara Toplak Perovič, who spoke on the topic 'What makes us successful: Success factors of private higher education institutions.'

The conference's highlights discussed essential issues for the future, the perspective of private higher education in Europe, and the advantages and good practices compared to the public system—the conference aimed at uniting and improving cross-border cooperation and partnership between private higher education institutions.

At the event, Dr. Toplak was joined by other renowned guests, including Joao Redondo, Chancellor of the Universidade Lusíada in Lisbon; Joaquim Mourato, Director General for Higher Education; Sabine Verheyen, President of the Committee on Culture and Education of the European Parliament; Anne-Sophie Barthez, Director General for Higher Education; Klaus Hekking, EUPHE Vice-President; Ottmar Schneck, Chairman of the Board of the Association of Private Universities in Germany, and others.

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The European Union of Private Higher Education (EUPHE) is a network of non-state institutions representing around 700 non-state institutions with about 1.4 million students.