The ninth annual PEXIM Cambridge took place on the 1^st May 2025. After being paused for several years due to global pandemic, this flagship event again gathered a group of business people, diplomats, and professors to exchange inspiration, support and opportunities with students from Serbia and North Macedonia. 

Stefan Andjelkovic, executive director of the Foundation, welcomed the guests by sharing his personal experience of starting his studies in Cambridge. 

“Cambridge shaped me, as it has shaped so many. It taught me that the real magic happens not just in the lecture halls, but in the spaces between – in the chance conversations, the unlikely friendships, the quiet moments of inspiration.” 

Tijana Gajic, director for mentorship, shared the history of this flagship event and invited PEXIM scholars and mentees to share their intentions behind the 2025 dinner.  

“Originally, we created this dinner to connect our students with people from academia, business sector, government – and create opportunities for them to make connections, get support, get jobs from which they make meaningful impact and grow. 

Later we added additional layer to it – we used this event to promote values that we nurture – of mutual support, growing together and giving back to communities. 

And then we added another layer – imaging this dinner as a place of transformation. It is through this experience, and connection and exchange, and through holding space for our intention, that we hope you leave transformed and richer in some way: in ideas, in friendship, in book recommendations, in feeling more encouraged, inspired and empowered, in joy and love, motivated to start something, to give back, being more aware of your gifts and being more proactive about sharing them. 

Every year we organize it with our new group of scholars and we revisit what this dinner means to us and what it is that we would like you to take from this dinner.” 

PEXIM scholars, Marija Nedeljkovic, Pavle Padjin and Stefan Mitikj shared that 2025 dinner for them meant a seat at the table, encouragement and connection. They also shared that their wish is for every student to feel that their voice matters, that they create meaningful connection and that they one day pay forward all the support their received. “That’s what Cambridge gives us, too: the chance to meet across disciplines and experiences and find not only knowledge but also each other. So let’s make the most of this evening — to listen, to speak, and above all, to connect. And once the opportunity arises, may we pay forward.” 

PEXIM mentee, Anastasija Loncarevic, shared how PEXIM mentorship changed her life as it enabled access to people who believed in her and supported her in following her dreams. “I wish that mentors here realize how their word and belief can impact students around them. And it is my wish that students open themselves to advices from more experienced guests here.” 

Maja Turkovic, a member of the PEXIM Board, reminded guests about the vision of PEXIM Foundation, where Serbia and North Macedonia are environments in which young people can develop their skills and realize their potential. Additionally, she cited all the work the PEXIM Cambridge scholars have done to make this vision a reality. “Our scholars have taken positions in PM’s office, in the Ministry of Innovation, in the Ministry of Finance, in the Ministry of Public Administration and Local Self-Government, taught at universities, worked on the largest infrastructure projects, organized conferences around important topics, and started mentorship initiatives to share their knowledge and network with younger colleagues.” 

Helen Pennant, director of Cambridge Trust, a true partner and key supporter of PEXIM Foundation, expressed her delight at being back at the PEXIM dinner to celebrate the 15 years of the Foundation’s existence. In addition to sharing her pride in partnering with the PEXIM Foundation for so long, she reminded everyone that the achievement is not just 42 graduating students through the PEXIM Cambridge scholarships, but all the students who gather around the PEXIM Foundation’s vision to make a positive difference and give back. 

In her address, Katerina Staverska Stavreska, the Ambassador of North Macedonia to the Great Britain, reiterated the importance of creating “a space at the table” and invited everyone to contribute to building a bigger and longer “table” for future generations. 

The Lord Kulveer Singh Ranger of Northwood, Chairman of British Serbian Chamber of Commerce (BSCC) reflected on a journey that we each go and experiences we gather, and how after years of this journey we think about how to give back the experience we generate through our lives, and how for him, one avenue is through British Serbian Chamber of Commerce. “There is nothing better than getting nations to work together… we know the complex and challenging world we live in at the moment. The best way to overcome that is through good trade and good friendships. but that has to come from people and it doesn’t come over night. These relationships are long generated and they start when we are much younger – the generosity we have, the opportunity to seat at the table, the mentorship, giving back… it starts at that point” . He also reflected on the efforts, spirit, generosity and big heart of Sir Paul Judge, a previous Chairman of BSCC, and on efforts and commitment of Jadranka, executive director of BSCC, who both have been a big support to PEXIM Foundation since its beginning. 

Finaly, Alex Hewitt, a co-founder of the Company CWP, one of the main partners of PEXIM Foundation, reflected on his entrepreneurial journey “…our greatest resource is people. They drive everything in the world and that is what you guys are. And it is wonderful to be part of it. “ 

It was our special pleasure that the dinner was attended by some the founding members, now members of the managing and supervisory Boards – Miodrag Ivković, professor at University of Belgrade, and Nebojša Radić, professor at University of Cambridge. 

Despite not speaking at the event, Mihail Petreski, the Foundation’s president, later told scholars he wished he could share with guests his pride in PEXIM scholars’ accomplishments since it was too much for him to bear alone.