Acquiring new knowledge and skills, socializing and learning about different cultures and customs – that is how the second-year student from the Facutly of Economics in Podgorica, Katarina Popović, describes the key benefits of the Erasmus+ programme. From the beginning of February to mid-June this year, through international credit mobility, Katarina was in the Czech Republic where she attended courses in the HBS of the Technical University in Ostrava.
“During that time, I managed to align my duties in the faculty with socializing and trips, so I would emphasize that as the greatest advantage. Given the fact it is located in the heart of Europe, I could find easy and inexpensive ways to visit neighbouring countries and cities. I met colleagues from all around the world: Asia, South America, Africa and, of course, the rest of Europe. I was surrounded by people who come from different cultures and managed to learn a lot about their customs, way of life, and absolutely different education systems”, says Katarina.
In general public, it is precisely the international credit mobility that is the first association to the Erasmus+ programme. Director of the National Erasmus+ office, Vanja Drljević, said that the interest of the young for this programme grew year after year. She explained that young people could study abroad in a partner higher education institution or get an internship in a company, research institute, laboratory or organization. As Drljević said, they could combine studying abroad with practical classes, i.e. internship “which additionally improves learning outcomes and development of skills”.
“Every academic year, several hundreds of students go to mobility abroad, while the total number of applications frequently exceeds the number of available places. Most frequent destinations are Spain, Italy, Poland, Germany, Austria, while experience of users shows that Erasmus+ is an opportunity that has a significant influence not only on the academic, but also on professional development of the young,” said Drljević.
The student Katarina confirms this too.
“Through mobility I acquired numerous skills and habits, that I think I can thank my living abroad for. I believe that all other students that opt for the exchange will not be mistaken, but only contribute to their education and personal development”, said Katarina.
She also said that the studies in the Czech Republic did not differ much from the studies in Montenegro.
“In their system the exams comprise final exam and sometimes a seminar, while in Podgorica before the exam sometimes we have seminars, presentations and we always take one or two mid-term exams. The volume of the teaching contents is also much smaller than in our system and it still includes everything that is important to learn”, said Katarina.
There is an increasing number of students who come to Montenegro through the Erasmus+ programme, most frequently from France, Poland, Spain, Turkey and Italy. According to the Director of the National Erasmus+ office Vanja Drljević, foreign students are mostly happy and have positive experience. They emphasize hospitality, relaxed atmosphere and the opportunity not only to study but also to learn about new culture and the way of life.
As for the international credit mobility, Montenegro has more than 332 projects and it ensures to the students and to the academic staff to take part in various mobility programmes, said Drljević. She underlined that building capacities in the field of higher education – as one of the significant Erasmus+ programme – is focused on increasing the capacity of higher education institutions, bodies responsible for higher education, as well as on modernization of the higher education system, particularly when it comes to management and financing.
“We have a total number of 32 projects, out of which 7 are coordinated by Montenegrin higher-education institutions. Montenegrin projects for building capacities in higher education are focused on a broad range of areas, including the IT sector, agriculture, environment protection and protection of coastal areas, foreign languages, autonomy of higher education institutions, cooperation of universities and companies, digitalization, entrepreneurship, internationalization of universities, inclusion, etc.”, underlined Drljević.
In the projects within the Erasmus+ programme, University of Donja Gorica (UDG) has been active for more than ten years. In cooperation with reputable European partners, this education institution participated with more than 20 Erasmus+ projects, said Sandra Tinaj, PhD, General Manager of UDG, underlying that UDG was a coordinator in three Erasmus+ projects.
“The importance of the Erasmus+ programme exceeds the mere project approach – it builds institutions, strengthens individuals, modernizes systems and opens doors to European education area and shared values”, said Tinaj. She noted that the key benefits of participation in the Erasmus+ include international recognizability and reputation, modernization of study programmes and teaching methods, development of academic and administrative staff, opportunities for students, networking and strategic partnerships. Tinaj added that the role of a coordinator in an Erasmus+ project has a particular weight and responsibility but also brings a number of privileges as the leading role in defining vision and goals, strengthening institutional integrity and capacity, access to larger funds and resources, visibility and leadership in national and regional context, but also sustainable development and impact after the end of the project.
Tinaj described her personal experience of participating in the Erasmus+ projects as rich, inspiring and professionally formative.
“Stays abroad within the project activities – regardless of whether those were study visits, trainings, workshops or coordination meetings – provided me with an opportunity to learn first-hand how the leading European institutions work, and what their education methodologies, organization and culture of academic life are. At the same time, those meetings provided precious opportunities to present innovative approaches, development initiatives and good practices from UDG, which affirmed our model of work and education visit”, said Tinaj. She underlined the importance of cooperation with the teaching staff from abroad and professional contacts that turned into durable partnerships, shared ideas and even friendships.
Erasmus+ programme also includes a scheme for secondary vocational education, where Montenegro has had an opportunity to participate since 2018.
“Our country has managed to do a significant part of the work in terms of numerous projects in the field of secondary vocational education, while the benefits from participating in these projects are more than visible. So far, we have had 5 mobility projects through pilot mobility scheme of the European Commission and 27 projects of building capacities within the Erasmus+ programme. In addition to secondary vocational schools, NGOs and educational institutions have been engaged in these projects”, said Drljević. She reminded that Erasmus+ offered significant opportunities also in the field of sports, that “Montenegrin sport community is gradually recognizing”. She added that an increasing number of sport clubs, organizations and alliances wanted to take part in the Erasmus+ projects.
“Benefits of this programme have been recognized in our sports community because it does not only bring gains in form of education, but also in form of broader connections with international partners, which can be illustrated by the total of 13 capacity building projects in the field of sports with various sports organizations from Montenegro participating in them, including the Montenegrin Olympic Committee (participating in the role of a coordinator), Paralympic Committee of Montenegro, Volleyball Alliance of Montenegro, etc.”, concluded Drljević
JEAN MONNET– Opportunity for Europeanisation of the Education System
Jean Monnet action within the Erasmus+ programme, as an initiative that promotes studying, research and analysis of the European Union, as well as cherishing European values, is much less used than other actions within the higher education part of the programme. Director of the National Erasmus+ office, Vanja Drljević, explained that Jean Monnet programme was the opportunity to use modules, departments or centres of excellence to modernize study programmes in Montenegro, by introducing topics related to the European Union – its trends, values and policies.
“So far, we have had 9 Jean Monnet projects, and we can say that there is still room for using the potentials of this programme in a better way. Successful examples show how useful it can be, not only for strengthening teaching and research capacities, but also for accelerating the process of Europeanization of the education system, that is an important aspect of the Montenegrin path towards the accession to the EU. Given our process of integration into the EU, this programme is an extraordinary opportunity to know European Union better in various contexts. Although we cannot say that this program is being used in our country to a sufficient extent, it is important to underline that the projects we have had so far dealt with very relevant topics, like economic policy of the EU, law on the internal EU market, regional cooperation based on reconciliation, challenges of the enlargement policy, migration, integration and intercultural dialogue”, said Drljević.
Erasmus+ Must Stay a Priority
Erasmus+ programme is the pillar of modern education in Europe, and therefore its advantages – from mobility and connections to reforms and innovation – must not be taken for granted, said Sandra Tinaj, PhD, the General Manager of the UDG.
“It is precisely why it is important that we keep emphasizing, cherishing and improving participation in the programme, not only for the benefits it has for the institutions, but because of the overall quality, relevance and competitiveness of Montenegro’s higher education system”, said Tinaj.
By Bojana Milićević, Radio Montenegro
This text was published in the 16th issue of Eurokaz magazine.
