The Danube Rectors' Conference (DRC), according to its president Doru Pamfil, covers a very diverse geographical, cultural and economic area with more than 3.5 million students.

"The DRC is a platform of 68 universities from 15 countries which share the goal of improving their higher education systems, training and research," Pamfil said on Thursday, the busiest day of the three-day conference.

According to him, harmonisation is also a must in education in order to secure better mobility and professional opportunities. "A network like the DRC can make Europe stronger."

The network supports joint research projects, such as the EUR 70m Danube River Research and Management project (DREAM), which is coordinated by the Vienna University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences and involves eleven countries.

"Our members want to contribute to the creation of necessary synergies between regional policies and EU initiatives in the region for the benefit of our people," Pamfil concluded.

Slovenian Education Minister Maja Makovec Brenčič added that the Danube region was of key importance to Slovenia, also from the economic aspect. "After all, this is a region which currently faces a special challenge," she said, referring to the refugee crisis.

Chancellor of the University of Maribor Igor Tičar believes that the DRC is an important player in the region, and he is happy that Maribor is hosting the annual conference. "Together we are making an effort to develop the region."

The conference, which will wrap up on Friday, also discusses ways to improve mobility of students and professors in the region, which would encourage mutual understanding and cooperation, according to the organisers.

The assembly of the Danube Rectors' Conference will also be held as part of the event to elect new president.