The Faculty of Applied Management, Economics and Finance (MEF), University Business Academy in Novi Sad, had the great honor of hosting one of the world's leading researchers in the fields of Multiple Criteria Decision Making (MCDM), Operations Research, and the application of Artificial Intelligence in Decision Support Systems—Prof. Dr. Sarfaraz Hashemkhani Zolfani, Associate Professor at Universidad Católica del Norte (Chile), who visited the Faculty as an invited professor during July 2026.
Prof. Zolfani is internationally recognized as one of the world's leading scholars in decision sciences. He is the author of 129 Web of Science-indexed publications, with more than 9,300 citations and an h-index of 50. For four consecutive years, he has been included in the prestigious Stanford–Elsevier World's Top 2% Scientists List.
The primary objective of the visit was to further strengthen international academic and scientific cooperation, promote the development of joint research projects and scientific publications, and facilitate the exchange of scientific knowledge in areas of mutual interest.
In addition to individual working meetings, the central event of the visit was a joint strategic meeting with the Faculty leadership, attended by Acting Dean Prof. Dr. Adriana Radosavac, President of the Faculty Council Prof. Dr. Miodrag Brzaković, Vice-Dean for Coordination and Development Prof. Dr. Darjan Karabašević, General Manager Prof. Dr. Pavle Brzaković, and Head of the Center for Project Development Assist. Prof. Dr. Vuk Mirčetić, together with the distinguished guest, Prof. Dr. Sarfaraz Hashemkhani Zolfani. During the meeting, the participants discussed strategic directions for expanding international cooperation, opportunities for joint scientific research projects, the preparation of publications in leading international journals, the organization of international scientific conferences, academic staff and researcher exchange, the enhancement of academic mobility, and further strengthening the Faculty's international visibility.
The visit of Prof. Dr. Sarfaraz Hashemkhani Zolfani represents another important milestone in the internationalization strategy of the Faculty of Applied Management, Economics and Finance and further confirms its growing reputation within the global academic community. Collaboration with one of the world's leading experts in decision sciences will significantly contribute to strengthening the Faculty's scientific research capacity, fostering innovative research initiatives, and enhancing its international academic reputation.
The Faculty of Applied Management, Economics and Finance remains committed to developing strategic partnerships with distinguished universities and internationally recognized researchers worldwide, reaffirming its dedication to the highest standards of scientific research, excellence in education, and international academic cooperation.
