Highlights from the National Round of the EO

The National Round of the Economics Olympiad in North Macedonia, held at Tetovo and organized by the Liberal Alternative Institute and Economic Fundamentals Initiative in collaboration with Southeast European University, marked a celebration of academic rigor and economic acumen.

The event brought together the top 50 students who had emerged victorious from the regional rounds across various cities including Kumanovo, Skopje, Tetovo, Gostivar, Struga, Debar, and Kicevo. The competition not only tested their theoretical knowledge but also their practical understanding of economic principles. EconlitX Talks enriched the event with insights from distinguished guests hailing from North Macedonia and Kosovo, fostering a vibrant exchange of ideas and perspectives. A panel discussion featuring representatives from the Economic Chamber of North West Macedonia and the business sector offered students valuable real-world insights.
The ceremony commenced with a warm welcome from the Rector of Southeast European University, Professor Abdylmenaf Bexheti, emphasizing the significance of such competitions in nurturing the talents of high school students and preparing them for future challenges.
A highlight of the event was the recognition of excellence. The top three students from each of the five regional rounds were awarded coveted prizes, including laptops, tablets, and smartwatches. Additionally, Alban Ballaki from Yahya Kemal College Struga, Ariton Ajdini from Gymnasium "Zef Lush Marku" Skopje, Leonita Malisheviq from High School "Drita" Kichevo, Luka Filipovski from Yahya Kemal College Struga, and Veton Sopa from Mathematics-Informatics Gymnasium Skopje, the top five performers from the National Round, were announced following rigorous written and oral examinations. These students were awarded a monthly stipend for the academic year 2024/25, with the highest achiever earning a prestigious scholarship from Southeast European University for studies at the Faculty of Business and Economy. Furthermore, the top five students will be representing North Macedonia at the International Economics Olympiad in Athens this September.
In a gesture of appreciation, two distinguished school coordinators were also acknowledged for their exceptional contributions. Sara Muça Mustafa from Arseni Jovkov High School in Skopje received the award for the Best Teacher of the School Round, having guided an impressive cohort of 165 students through the preliminary stages of the Olympiad. Abil Idrizi from Economics High School Gostivar was recognized as the Best Teacher of the Olympiad, lauded for his unwavering dedication and tireless efforts spanning the school, regional, and national levels.
Orhan Ceka, the Executive Director of Liberal Alternative Institute, emphasized the invaluable partnership with Southeast European University and the business sector in the country, whose generous contributions facilitated the provision of numerous prizes and gifts to the participating students. He underscored that while the Olympiad fosters a competitive spirit, it represents only a fraction of the broader endeavors undertaken by the Institute and its partners to address economic and financial literacy within the country.
With a blend of rigorous competition, insightful discourse, and recognition of talent and mentorship, the event served as an inspiration for aspiring economists and educators alike.
In the Economics Olympiad held in 2024, 35 secondary schools in 7 cities of North Macedonia took part, with 1275 students taking part in the school round.