PM Marković pays working visit to University of Montenegro

Podgorica, Montenegro (14 December 2016) -- At today’s meeting of the Prime Minister Duško Marković with the Rector of the University of Montenegro Radmila Vojvodić it was estimated that the University must accompany the current needs of economic, cultural and identity development of the country, in which it will have the strong support of the Government. Participants of the meeting were also Minister of Education Damir Šehović, Minister of Culture Janko Ljumović and Minister of Science Darko Petrušić, as well as the management team of the University of Montenegro and the representatives of the Student Parliament.

The Prime Minister Marković congratulated the leadership on the good results, achieved despite the serious challenges they faced on the path of reforms. He stressed that the priority is to connect with the social and economic environment, and that he expects in this regard to raise the quality of education in the field of strategic economic sectors – tourism, agriculture, energy and ecology.

“The strategy of higher education is a good basis for further progress towards full harmonisation with the European standards and practices in this area”, the Prime Minister said, noting that the Government supported in the middle of this year the new structure of study programmes through the reform commitment to the model “3+2+3”.

Both sides agreed that the strategic directions of the enrollment policy should contribute to connecting with the social and economic environment, to enhance and make it visible and measurable.

As the Prime Minister pointed out, this way “we will be able to realise priority task in the coming years – more opportunities for higher quality and better paid jobs for the young generations”.

In that regard, interlocutors agreed that further development and strengthening of the scientific and research activities are needed, where the State University has a special responsibility. It was pointed out to the necessity of the efficient use of international funds in project work.

Describing the current cooperation with the Government as positive, the Rector Vojvodić emphasised that they expect further strengthening of the partnership and support in terms of development. In an open discussion with the Prime Minister and his associates, the management team of the University pointed to a number of problems and challenges – from financial, through the commercialisation of higher education, to the need to change the entire social environment and strengthening awareness in the context of the acceptance and implementation of the European values and standards.

Recalling that over 20 thousands of students are attending the State University, the Prime Minister Marković found that this is a most valuable resource for the future of Montenegro and he expressed the readiness to further discuss with the representatives of the Student Parliament about the actual needs of the student population.