On the University of Montenegro Monitoring Erasmus+ Projects for Credit Mobility Implemented

Erasmus+ office in Montenegro held monitoring of Erasmus+ projects for credit mobility on the University of Montenegro. Meeting with National Erasmus+ Office Manager Vanja Drljevic attended Vice-Rector for International Cooperation Natasa Kostic, PhD, representatives of the Office for International Cooperation, vice-deans for international cooperation and users Erasmus+ mobility program.

Vice-rector for international cooperation Natasa Kostic, PhD presented institutional framework when it comes to implementation and carrying out activities in domain of international cooperation of the University of Montenegro.    

She said that the University innovated Rules on International Mobility of Students and adopted Rules on International Mobility of Staff of the University of Montenegro which facilitated the procedure and mobility implementation. As result of these novelties the number of students, teaching and non-teaching staff that participate in Erasmus+ mobility program is increased but there is still need to continue activities directed to increase of incoming mobility.

‘Erasmus+ project named ‘Strengthening Internationalization in Montenegrin higher education institutions through efficient strategic planning’ (IESP), coordinated by the University of Montenegro, foresees increase of number of incoming mobility by offering summer schools in English, and preparing for introducing study programs in English in all University units’, she added.  

Vice-rector Kostic said that Development Strategy of Montenegro 2019-2024 foresees intensifying cooperation with renowned higher education institutions through increase of number of universities to cooperate with the University within international credit mobility programs as well as establishing broader support to incoming and outgoing mobility. Also, as she says, the aim is strengthening institutional capacities on the University in applying international projects and programs within international cooperation.  

Manager of the International Cooperation Office of the University of Montenegro spoke about all aspects of implementation of Erasmus+ projects for credit mobility from 2015 when they started with implementation in the University.

Vice-Deans for International Cooperation spoke about the way of promoting mobility programs by organization units, current procedures and practices, barriers for increase of number of students and teaching staff participating in mobility programs. It was discussed on how these barriers may be overcome as well as how to create conditions for efficient usage of EU funds for project credit mobility for countries of the Western Balkans.     

Students conveyed their experiences regarding application process for certain mobility program, and stay in foreign universities and after coming back from exchange i.e. experiences with recognition of courses passed on foreign university.  

Report of the National Erasmus+ Office will give recommendations for further improvement of conditions and procedures for implementation of credit mobility projects within Erasmus+ program.