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The Institute for National and International Security (INIS) continues to strengthen its international academic network by collaborating with leading higher education institutions and distinguished researchers worldwide. As part of this ongoing commitment, Professor Dr. Darko Trifunović, Director of INIS and Full Professor in Research, recently served on the doctoral dissertation evaluation committees for three successful doctoral defenses at the Faculty of Engineering Management, Union – Nikola Tesla University.
The defended dissertations addressed highly relevant contemporary issues, ranging from digital diplomacy and strategic communication to competency-
Digital Diplomacy, Information Resilience and Security in the MENA Region
Professor Trifunović participated in the defense of the doctoral dissertation of Dr. Alwazna Falah, entitled “Digital Diplomacy and Public Relations in the MENA Region: The Impact of Social Media and Media Literacy on Political Narratives, Institutional Trust, and Security Aspects among Citizens,” prepared under the supervision of Professor Dr. Milena Cvjetković.
The dissertation represents a significant contribution to the fields of digital diplomacy, political communication, media literacy, and Security Science. Through comprehensive empirical research conducted in Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, and Kuwait, the study analyzes how social media usage and media literacy influence institutional trust, political narratives, perceptions of digital diplomacy, and citizens’ resilience against misinformation and hybrid information threats.
The research confirms that education and media literacy have become strategic components of national resilience, particularly in regions facing complex political, social, and security challenges.
Competency-Based Education as the Foundation of Fire Safety
Professor Trifunović also served on the doctoral committee for Dr. Salma Humaid Saeed Humaid Al Ali, who successfully defended her dissertation entitled “Structured Competency-Based Education as a Foundation for Improving Fire Safety in UAE Buildings: Constructing and Validating Indicators for Architects and Fire Safety Engineering Consultants.”
The research developed the first empirically validated competency framework for architects and fire safety engineering consultants, tailored to the unique regulatory and environmental context of the United Arab Emirates.
Using a rigorous scientific methodology, including a systematic literature review, a three-round Delphi study, and a survey of 250 professionals, the dissertation established a framework comprising 62 validated competency indicators spanning knowledge, skills, and professional attitudes. The findings provide an important foundation for higher education, professional licensing, continuing education, and the long-term improvement of fire safety standards in the UAE.
Shaping Future Security through Young Generations
Professor Trifunović also participated in the defense of Dr. Shehab Mohammad Shehab Ahmad Thani’s doctoral dissertation, entitled “The Role of Young Generations in Shaping Future Security through Foresight and Innovation,” prepared under the supervision of Professor Dr. Sunčica Vještica.
The dissertation focuses on one of the most important strategic questions of the twenty-first century—the capacity of younger generations to contribute to future security through innovation, strategic foresight, leadership development, and interdisciplinary education.
The research emphasizes that modern security requires not only responding to existing threats but also anticipating future challenges by investing in knowledge, technological innovation, critical thinking, and long-term strategic planning. Such an approach is fully aligned with the contemporary development of Security Science, which increasingly incorporates foresight methodologies into national resilience and security planning.
Visit to the Institute for National and International Security
Following the successful doctoral defenses, the newly awarded Doctors of Science, accompanied by members of their families, visited the headquarters of the Institute for National and International Security (INIS) in Belgrade.
During the visit, Professor Dr. Darko Trifunović introduced the guests to the Institute’s scientific activities, international partnerships, research projects, and the development of Security Science as an emerging multidisciplinary field of study. Discussions focused on future academic cooperation, joint international research projects, scientific publishing, researcher mobility, and opportunities for participation in international conferences and educational initiatives organized by INIS.
Particular attention was devoted to strengthening scientific cooperation between Serbia and the United Arab Emirates, especially in the fields of Security Science, strategic foresight, resilience studies, digital security, critical infrastructure protection, and engineering management.
The newly graduated Doctors of Science from the United Arab Emirates expressed strong interest in becoming the first researchers from the UAE to join the Institute for National and International Security (INIS) as members. Their interest represents an important milestone in expanding the Institute’s global network and further strengthening its presence in the Gulf region.
Professor Trifunović welcomed this initiative, emphasizing that INIS remains committed to building an international community of researchers dedicated to advancing Security Science through interdisciplinary collaboration, scientific excellence, and the exchange of knowledge across different regions and cultures.
The visit concluded with a shared commitment to continue developing long-term academic cooperation and to explore new opportunities for joint research projects, publications, conferences, and educational programs that will help address contemporary global security challenges.
Share
The Institute for National and International Security (INIS) continues to strengthen its international academic network by collaborating with leading higher education institutions and distinguished researchers worldwide. As part of this ongoing commitment, Professor Dr. Darko Trifunović, Director of INIS and Full Professor in Research, recently served on the doctoral dissertation evaluation committees for three successful doctoral defenses at the Faculty of Engineering Management, Union – Nikola Tesla University.
The defended dissertations addressed highly relevant contemporary issues, ranging from digital diplomacy and strategic communication to competency-
Digital Diplomacy, Information Resilience and Security in the MENA Region
Professor Trifunović participated in the defense of the doctoral dissertation of Dr. Alwazna Falah, entitled “Digital Diplomacy and Public Relations in the MENA Region: The Impact of Social Media and Media Literacy on Political Narratives, Institutional Trust, and Security Aspects among Citizens,” prepared under the supervision of Professor Dr. Milena Cvjetković.
The dissertation represents a significant contribution to the fields of digital diplomacy, political communication, media literacy, and Security Science. Through comprehensive empirical research conducted in Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, and Kuwait, the study analyzes how social media usage and media literacy influence institutional trust, political narratives, perceptions of digital diplomacy, and citizens’ resilience against misinformation and hybrid information threats.
The research confirms that education and media literacy have become strategic components of national resilience, particularly in regions facing complex political, social, and security challenges.
Competency-Based Education as the Foundation of Fire Safety
Professor Trifunović also served on the doctoral committee for Dr. Salma Humaid Saeed Humaid Al Ali, who successfully defended her dissertation entitled “Structured Competency-Based Education as a Foundation for Improving Fire Safety in UAE Buildings: Constructing and Validating Indicators for Architects and Fire Safety Engineering Consultants.”
The research developed the first empirically validated competency framework for architects and fire safety engineering consultants, tailored to the unique regulatory and environmental context of the United Arab Emirates.
Using a rigorous scientific methodology, including a systematic literature review, a three-round Delphi study, and a survey of 250 professionals, the dissertation established a framework comprising 62 validated competency indicators spanning knowledge, skills, and professional attitudes. The findings provide an important foundation for higher education, professional licensing, continuing education, and the long-term improvement of fire safety standards in the UAE.
Shaping Future Security through Young Generations
Professor Trifunović also participated in the defense of Dr. Shehab Mohammad Shehab Ahmad Thani’s doctoral dissertation, entitled “The Role of Young Generations in Shaping Future Security through Foresight and Innovation,” prepared under the supervision of Professor Dr. Sunčica Vještica.
The dissertation focuses on one of the most important strategic questions of the twenty-first century—the capacity of younger generations to contribute to future security through innovation, strategic foresight, leadership development, and interdisciplinary education.
The research emphasizes that modern security requires not only responding to existing threats but also anticipating future challenges by investing in knowledge, technological innovation, critical thinking, and long-term strategic planning. Such an approach is fully aligned with the contemporary development of Security Science, which increasingly incorporates foresight methodologies into national resilience and security planning.
Visit to the Institute for National and International Security
Following the successful doctoral defenses, the newly awarded Doctors of Science, accompanied by members of their families, visited the headquarters of the Institute for National and International Security (INIS) in Belgrade.
During the visit, Professor Dr. Darko Trifunović introduced the guests to the Institute’s scientific activities, international partnerships, research projects, and the development of Security Science as an emerging multidisciplinary field of study. Discussions focused on future academic cooperation, joint international research projects, scientific publishing, researcher mobility, and opportunities for participation in international conferences and educational initiatives organized by INIS.
Particular attention was devoted to strengthening scientific cooperation between Serbia and the United Arab Emirates, especially in the fields of Security Science, strategic foresight, resilience studies, digital security, critical infrastructure protection, and engineering management.
The newly graduated Doctors of Science from the United Arab Emirates expressed strong interest in becoming the first researchers from the UAE to join the Institute for National and International Security (INIS) as members. Their interest represents an important milestone in expanding the Institute’s global network and further strengthening its presence in the Gulf region.
Professor Trifunović welcomed this initiative, emphasizing that INIS remains committed to building an international community of researchers dedicated to advancing Security Science through interdisciplinary collaboration, scientific excellence, and the exchange of knowledge across different regions and cultures.
The visit concluded with a shared commitment to continue developing long-term academic cooperation and to explore new opportunities for joint research projects, publications, conferences, and educational programs that will help address contemporary global security challenges.
