Vice-Rector Kostić: Improved International Communication of Universities Crucial for Students in Time of Pandemic

We discussed with the Vice-Rector of the University of Montenegro, Natasa Kostic, PhD, the importance of international cooperation of the University of Montenegro with other higher education institutions, at the time of pandemic, especially regarding students participating in mobility programs found in European cities, as well as foreign students in Montenegro.

Also, the conversation is triggered by the impact of overall situation and implementation of global measures to prevent the spread of COVID 19 virus on further international cooperation with universities from European addresses, as well as implementation of the initiated project activities.

UMNE: What was your communication like with the universities of Europe right after the pandemic erupted?

Mrs. KOSTIC, PhD: Many students of the University of Montenegro found themselves on exchange in countries of the European Union at the moment of crisis. In this situation,offices for international cooperation of partner universities and the University of Montenegro played a key role. In order to provide students with timely and accurate information, daily communication with partner universities had been invaluable. International Cooperation Officers are in contact with all students, both outgoing and incoming, monitoring the situation, informing and advising.

UMNE: How will those students who started the semester at a foreign university at the time when pandemic has broken out?

Mrs. KOSTIC, PhD: During pandemic of virus corona, the University of Montenegro, like all our partner universities, provided distance education for both their and Erasmus students who found themselves on exchange at time of the crisis. According to the information at our disposal, a number of students from the University of Montenegro have returned to the country and follow distance learning at foreign universities where they started mobility, while there are some who do so abroad, since they have decided to stay there until the end of the semester.

UMNE: What was the university policy on leaving or staying students in the country of the mobility program?

Ms. KOSTIC, PhD: Universities have put all their facilities at their disposal to assist students and allow them to decide for themselves whether to stay abroad or return home. For those who have decided to return to their homes, the University has supported ongoing communication with national agencies of EU countries, the National Erasmus + office, and, where appropriate, our embassies in foreign countries. The Office for International Cooperation, as well as vice-deans for International Cooperation of university units, are in constant communication with those foreign students who have decided to stay in Montenegro during the crisis period and provide them with all the necessary information in order to make the best of this period, respecting all measures undertaken bycompetent authorities to combat the pandemic.

UMNE: What would you advise students who had wantedto apply in these circumstances?

Ms. KOSTIC, PhD: Regardless of the fact that the situation is changing on daily basis, it is impossible to predict when we will return to normal functioning and when the trip abroad will be enabled, I advise the students to stay informed aboutavailable scholarships on website of the Office for International Cooperation and on which foreign universities can benefit from Erasmus + mobility. Bearing in mind that exchange vacancies have been announced since the beginning of February, a number of students have applied for ongoing competitions and these nominations have been forwarded to partner universities for final scholarship awarding. When thismobility will be realized depends on objective circumstances and the further development of the situation.

Information about the competitions that were available this semester can be found at: https://www.ucg.ac.me/objava/blog/19379/objava/61244-erasmus-konkursi-objavljeni-in-letnji-semester- 2019-2020, where students can learn about the opportunities offered by international mobility programs. Although the application deadline for these competitions has already expired, they contain information on the application method, documentation required and other relevant information that may be useful for students to apply for future competitions whose mobility realization will commence in the summer semester of academic year 2020/2021. years. If they need further information, they can also be contacted by the Office for International Cooperation via mobilityuom@ucg.ac.me.

UMNE: How will current situation affect the implementation of exchange programs and, in general, international cooperation with universities from European addresses?

Ms. KOSTIC, PhD: The new situation caused by the virus coronary pandemic affects all aspects of the University's functioning, including the field of international cooperation. This impact is reflected in changing modalities of implementation of activities in this area, though not necessarily on the scope of those activities. Taking into account all aspects of international cooperation such as international mobility of students and staff, realization of international projects, membership in international associations and other forms of cooperation with foreign universities, the current situation due to imposed travel restrictions has the greatest impact on the mobility of students and teachers, organization of conferences, seminars and similar events, and organization of study visits planned for international projects.

UMNE: To what extent can international projects be implemented now?

Ms. KOSTIC, PhD: When it comes to international projects, project activities are carried out to the fullest extent possible under the circumstances. Communication is made online, via email, Skype and Zoom. In this area, some delays in the realization of study visits and those activities related to those study visits can be expected. All other activities are carried out according to the planned schedule, and we exchange information and working experience in the new situation with partners from abroad in daily communication.

In the period since the beginning of the crisis, we have also worked on the preparation of project proposals within the framework of international calls for proposals. An enormous number of entries have been submitted under the Creative Europe program. Applications have also been submitted to the competition of the Central European Initiative, thematically dedicated to distance learning, which in this situation has become extremely relevant as the only way of organizing teaching for students worldwide.