SITA and American Resource Center Officially Launch Free AI Bootcamp: Bridging the Gap Between Academia and IT Industry Needs
The Serbian IT Association (SITA), in collaboration with the American Resource Center (ARC) and supported by the U.S. Embassy, has officially opened its doors to the first cohort of AI Bootcamp participants. This pilot project represents a concrete, systemic response from SITA to a long-standing challenge facing the domestic IT industry: the gap between theoretical knowledge acquired at universities and the practical skills required by real-world projects.
As an umbrella organization representing 45 leading IT companies in Serbia, employing 11,000 professionals and generating €1.4 billion in annual revenue, SITA recognized the need to take the initiative. Instead of member companies independently investing resources over several months into internal junior onboarding or relying on expensive external courses, SITA has created a free, high-quality educational program tailored for the next generation of IT talent.
Instructors from Leading SITA Companies at the Forefront of Training
The level and quality of the Bootcamp are ensured by senior engineers and experts from member companies and global IT giants operating in our market – EPAM Systems and Endava. Through intensive work with mentors, participants will directly acquire practical, industry-applicable artificial intelligence knowledge by working on real-world projects.
At the opening ceremony in Belgrade, which brought together members of the IT community, mentors, and participants, Mihajlo Poštić, Chairman of the Board of SITA and Director at JetBrains, emphasized that this project is merely the beginning of the association’s broader vision:
“As an association representing 45 IT companies, we have a clear understanding of the challenges our industry faces. Young professionals possess immense potential, but today’s market demands rapid adaptability and immediately applicable skills. Instead of leaving graduates to navigate costly training programs on their own, we took the initiative to offer a concrete, systematic solution. This AI Bootcamp, realized in cooperation with EPAM and Endava, serves as a pilot project and clear proof that the industry can proactively participate in developing the talent it needs. This is only the first in a series of initiatives we plan for the coming period.”
Partner Support and Future Vision
The significance of SITA’s strategy was also recognized by the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade, which provided support through the American Resource Center (ARC). ARC supplied resources and space for the program’s execution and the empowerment of young professionals.
On behalf of the U.S. Embassy, Matthew Andris, Head of the Economic Section, addressed the audience, highlighting the crucial role participants will play in advancing new technologies:
“In the very near future, artificial intelligence will enable a wide range of new innovations in the physical world: autonomous drones, self-driving cars, robotics, and other inventions for which terminology does not yet exist. The nations that lead in the development and adoption of these technologies will be positioned to leap ahead. That’s where you come in, it’s going to be up to you to discover how AI can help companies and to explain the benefits of AI to them.”
Following the official remarks, senior instructors from EPAM and Endava presented the bootcamp module by module, outlining the curriculum and practical methodology built around real AI challenges. The event concluded with an interactive Q&A session, giving participants first-hand insight into what to expect throughout the training.
The Serbian IT Association continues to actively build a sustainable IT ecosystem, invest in young talent, and create educational models that directly enhance the competitiveness of the domestic economy.
