It is our great pleasure to highlight the positive impact of the Atanas Bliznakoff Scholarship through the story of Jana Dukleska, a dedicated student at the Faculty of Economics at the βSs. Cyril and Methodiusβ University in Skopje.
βBecoming an ABF scholar was not just a recognition of my past achievementsβit was the beginning of a transformative journey. From the very start, the program offered more than just financial support; it gave me a sense of purpose, community, and confidence.
During my first year, I grew tremendously, both academically and personally. Surrounded by ambitious and like-minded peers, I was constantly inspired to push beyond my limits. The mentorship, workshops, and events organized by ABF helped me refine my goals and discover new perspectives on leadership and impact.
One of the most valuable lessons I learned is that being a scholar is not just about excelling in studiesβit’s about using your potential to uplift others and contribute to positive change. ABF reminded me that with opportunity comes responsibility.
To the new scholars: embrace every moment. Stay curious, ask questions, get involved, and don’t be afraid to dream bigger than ever before. You are part of something specialβmake the most of it.
Iβm deeply grateful to ABF for believing in me. This first year has laid the foundation for everything that comes next, and I couldnβt be more excited about the journey ahead. β
It is our great pleasure to highlight the positive impact of the Atanas Bliznakoff Scholarship through the story of Sabina Gudzevic, a dedicated medical student at the βSs. Cyril and Methodiusβ University in Skopje.
βBecoming a first-year university student has been one of the most exciting, but also most challenging experiences of my life. Moving away from home for the first time, adjusting to a new environment, and starting a demanding course like medicine came with a lot of pressure and responsibility.
In this journey, the βAtanas Bliznakoffβ Scholarship provided more than just financial support. It gave me a sense of security and allowed me to focus on my studies without worrying about expenses.
Because of the scholarship, I was able to afford important textbooks, attend all my classes, and stay dedicated to the intense demands of medical school. Having this kind of support in my first year of studies, which can often be critical for students, made a big difference, not just in my academic results, but also in how confident and motivated I feel.
To every student thinking about applying, I sincerely recommend it. The scholarship is not only help with money, it is support for your future and your hard work.
I am deeply grateful to the foundation for believing in students like me and giving us the chance to succeed. With the right support, achieving your dreams is a step closer.β
The Executive Education program in Canada has been a truly rewarding and enriching experience for me. As part of the Executive Leadership program, Iβve successfully completed the Queenβs Executive Leadership Program at the Smith School of Business at Queen’s University in Kingston, followed by a job-shadowing experience at the leading company in Toronto, the Toronto Star.
The Leadership Program at the Smith School of Business was focused on learning and peer-to-peer knowledge exchange while exposing participants to diverse leadership environments, focusing on strategic leadership, innovation, team performance, and organizational transformation.
Queenβs University gave me the opportunity to learn alongside and from professors, executive coaches, an incredible group of peers who challenged, inspired, and supported each other throughout the program. The curriculum included a series of inspiring lectures on transformational, charismatic, and self-aware leadership, advanced one-on-one coaching, as well as team meetings with an extraordinary Seeker Challenge exercise. This aided in developing skills and expertise, with awareness as the foundation for more effective, authentic guidance, persuasive communication, and empathetic leadership.
My Executive journey culminated in the unforgettable experience at the Toronto Star, with the opportunity to job-shadow across multiple departments at one of Canadaβs leading and most respected news organizations. I gained valuable insight into how different functions come together to support high-impact journalism. It was inspiring to see the collaboration, creativity, and commitment that drive every part of the organization.
Iβm extremely grateful to Mr. Jonatan Bitove for the incredible organization and exclusive access across a spectrum of departments, and to everyone at the Toronto Star who took the time to share their proficiency and make this practice so meaningful. This knowledge deepened my appreciation for the power of storytelling, innovation, and cross-functional teamwork in the media industry.
Kudos to Prof. Goce Andreevski, for his warm hospitality and personalized engagement in providing a customized training session for strategy and competitive advantage. Also, glad to meet and exchange ideas with the members of the Ambassadorβs Club of the Macedonia 2025 organization in Canada.
This experience expanded my perspective on leadership, strategic decision-making, and the power of authentic influence. I am looking forward to applying these insights and driving meaningful impact in my company, Makedonski Telekom, to lead with elevated confidence and purpose, and carry these learnings into the next stage of my professional career.
A huge thank you to Macedonia2025 for their incredible support and for allowing me to be part of this journey! Although I entered the program with high expectations, it exceeded every educational, practical, and professional level.
Honored and excited for the voyage ahead and the opportunity to grow, learn, and give back!
Zane Ivanovska, Lead for Customer Experience and Customer Value Management β AD Makedonski Telekom (part of DT Group)
The Strategic Execution executive course at Smith School of Business, Queen’s University Canada, is a truly standout experience for any leader looking to turn strategic intent into tangible results. It strikes the perfect balance between high-level strategic thinking and the practical realities of execution in complex organizations.
From aligning cross-functional teams to building execution rhythms that endure, the course gave me both the mindset and the methods to lead more effectively. Being part of a global cohort of leaders while engaging with world-class faculty created a rich environment for dialogue, reflection and growth.
This executive program is for leaders ready to move from intention to action in a more focused and sustainable way!
I cannot recommend Kellogg’s Executive Development Program enough. From the moment I stepped onto the beautiful campus, I felt the program’s commitment to excellence and its dedication to transforming leaders.
The curriculum is cutting-edge, blending theoretical insights with practical tools that I could immediately apply to my organization.
The program challenged my thinking and inspired me to approach problems in innovative ways. Thanks to the EDP, Iβve gained better clarity on my leadership style and developed a comprehensive strategy for inspiring and scaling my team. I feel more confident navigating complex challenges, lead with impact and drive meaningful change.
Beyond the cutting-edge business insights, the program helped me master leadership in line with my own core values, sparked a journey of self-reflection and refined the soft skills essential for inspiring and empowering others. This program was not just about gaining knowledge but about becoming my best self.
What also sets Kellogg apart is the diverse and remarkable group of participants. Collaborating with leaders from different industries and cultures, the exchange of ideas and perspectives broadened my horizons and fostered lifelong friendships and a robust professional network.
I left the program with a renewed sense of purpose, a stronger ability to navigate challenges and the inspiration to lead authentically.
It was an incredibly well-rounded program with extremely vibrant and diverse content. Iβm deeply grateful for this insightful and enriching experience.
Danica Alacka Dukoska, General Manager, Bi-MEK Healthcare Technologies
Empowering the next generation of Macedonian business leaders
Macedonia2025 is proud to announce the two cohorts selected for the Executive Education Program in Canada for 2025. This prestigious initiative, organized in partnership with the Smith School of Business at Queenβs University, provides Macedonian professionals with the opportunity to sharpen their strategic leadership skills and gain valuable international exposure through world-class executive education and a job-shadowing experience with leading Canadian companies.
Cohort 1 β May 2025: Strategic Execution Course
π Program Dates: May 12β16, 2025
Scholar: Ivana Nikolik β Director of Business Development EMEA, IWConnect
Ivana Nikolik, an accomplished business development leader, will attend the βStrategic Executionβ course at Queenβs University, designed to equip executives with tools to align vision, strategy, and execution across their organizations.
Cohort 2 β June 2025: Leadership Course
Program Dates: June 9β14, 2025
Scholars:
Zhane Ivanovska β Lead for Customer Experience and Customer Value Management, AD Makedonski Telekom (part of DT Group)
Biljana Sanev β HR & Corporate Culture Lead
Aleksandra Murgoska β Founder & CEO, Limitless Solutions Skopje
The second cohort will participate in the Leadership Program at the Smith School of Business, focusing on strategic leadership, innovation, team performance, and organizational transformation.
After the course, all three scholars will join a collective job-shadowing experience with top companies in Toronto. This model, successfully implemented in past editions of the program, encourages shared learning and peer-to-peer knowledge exchange while exposing participants to diverse leadership environments across industries such as IT, customer experience, and HR.
Special Thanks
We extend our sincere gratitude to the individuals whose support made this yearβs Executive Education Program truly exceptional:
Mr. John Bitove, for his steadfast commitment to the job-shadowing component of the program. Despite the complex business climate in Canada, his continued dedication to fostering global leadership connections remains both impactful and deeply appreciated.
Prof. Goce Andreevski, for delivering an engaging and tailored additional training session for both cohorts, as well as for his warm hospitality and generous coordination throughout the program.
A special highlight of the experience was a friendly and inspiring meeting between our scholars and three distinguished members of the Macedonia2025 Ambassadors Club β Aleksandar Orovcanec, Margarita Minceva, and Ilija (Iko) Maurovski β prominent professionals from diverse industries with a wealth of experience and an exceptional readiness to support and connect with the next generation of leaders.
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This initiative is part of our long-term mission to strengthen the leadership potential of Macedoniaβs business community and foster global knowledge exchange that contributes to the countryβs sustainable economic growth.
Stay tuned as we share more updates from our scholars during their journey in Canada!
