The Interim Rector of the University of Montenegro assoc. prof. Vladimir Božović, PhD, spoke for TV Prva about forthcoming activities
The Interim Rector of the University of Montenegro assoc. prof. Vladimir Božović, PhD, was yesterday’s guest at the show “60 minutes with Iris” on TV PRVA and spoke about the University of Montenegro and forthcoming activities.
Transcript of the interview:
TV PRVA: Let’s start with what you found. What is the current situation at the University of Montenegro?
PROF. BOŽOVIĆ: It is still early to give detailed analysis of the current situation at the University of Montenegro. In any case, you know that the University lives quite cramped due to the pandemic that has befallen us all and we are organizing our lives accordingly. By dedication of professors, administrative staff and patience of the students we manage to maintain what is most important and those are teaching processes and research that form the core of life of every university, including the University of Montenegro.
TV PRVA: You did first analyses, spoke with deans and what you agree on is that there is lack of lecturers. How this problem can be solved?
PROF. BOŽOVIĆ: The lack of lecturers is conditioned by the lack of money. With as much as we have budget and our funds on our disposal, we can hire teaching staff. That is not enough considering total capacity of the University of Montenegro when we talk about the number of students and the number of study programs. We would certainly have to go for a certain and significant expansion, however, in these conditions, it is unpopular to look for major interventions given the pandemic and overall circumstances that have their consequences at the overall financial situation. We will submit a certain proposal of corrections to the Government, concerning the total budget. We will see what kind of response we will get, but we will show persistence.
TV PRVA: What follows is a check of financial operations, what does all this mean?
PROF. BOŽOVIĆ: When it comes to financial audits for a certain previous period, they refer to standard audits performed, in one case, by the State Audit Institution, which has its own way and system of work, and we are here to assist them when it comes to documentation and all other necessary information concerning the financial life of the University. On the other hand, we have an internal body, i.e. an internal audit body that also has its own work plan. It is independent within the institution, so it has a specific audit plan. They do in-depth scans of the financial life of the University in all its segments at some discretion they determine. We will wait for their reports, see what the findings are and, of course, adapt to the instructions they provide us.
TV PRVA: Could we announce al the checks that follow, as well as check of the apartments, does that this audit imply?
PROF. BOŽOVIĆ: I am not sure whether the allocation of the apartments to the professors will be checked. We had competitions and one was, if I am not mistaken, in 2006 and the next one was in 2011/12. These competitions have ended and there have been, of course, certain complaints and there are certain consequences that extend to this day, in terms of lawsuits from which we suffer some concrete consequences in terms of certain, popularly slang, penalties paid by the University. However, what was immediate in this previous period, and it concerns housing policy and improvement of housing conditions, loans are planned, and also that part has been completed in one segment. Certainly, if that is also the subject of interest of the State Audit Institution or internal audit, we are, of course, in the mood to provide all possible assistance in order to put this situation in order, if it is not already.
TV PRVA: The lack of money also refers to the development of certain university units. Apart from addressing the Government, what can be done specifically?
PROF. BOŽOVIĆ: Apart from addressing the Government to increase the budget, there are not many options at the moment. Faculties live partly on projects, mostly international, which finances some activities, research, procurement of equipment, which is very valuable and important for the University. When it comes to larger, systemic solutions to the problems that were stated in the talks with the deans, we need the help of the Government. We, of course, understand the whole situation, however, our needs, compared to universities, and even in a region of this size, should be much more significant in financial terms. That will be one of our leading arguments when we address the Government.
TV PRVA: What is the plan for the study model. A certain number of students is on budget, will that be changed?
PROF. BOŽOVIĆ: All students in the first two cycles, I am talking about undergraduate and master studies, are funded from the budget. That is according to the current regulations. As for the model itself, it is predominantly or mostly 3 + 2, and there are variations in certain faculty units. This model may be re-examined to some extent. We have seen different opinions of deans and they are right that certain occupations, simply with the current bachelor's degree, are not sufficiently recognized on the labor market and in that segment we need extensive state assistance to adapt systemic legal solutions to our study model. If it is not possible to go that way, then we have to adapt to those major systemic solutions that exist. We will see, it is still under consideration, we are currently in the process of changing the Law on Higher Education and that is certainly one of the topics of that law.
TV PRVA: Is the introduction of entrance exams being considered at this time as a way to improve the quality of studies?
PROF. BOŽOVIĆ: The introduction of entrance exams is being considered, and it seems to me, in the mood in the relevant ministry, in the conversation with the people who deal with these issues, I think that is almost certain.
TV PRVA: You announced that the model of rector's election will also change?
PROF. BOŽOVIĆ: The model of electing the rector is related to the mentioned Law on Higher Education, which will probably mandatorily determine the manner of electing the rector. It has been observed that, in a way, there is a deficit of democracy in that procedure in the current system so there are more models. One of the models could be a kind of general plebiscite at the University itself of all university workers from the academic sphere and students who must be involved. The second model is partly indirect, ending in, say, the Senate, and that is something that is similar to what we used to have at the University of Montenegro. Both models are in circulation. Our university community will have the opportunity to give certain suggestions in that direction, we will of course include them in all that, in our proposal.