Rector Nikolić: The University of Montenegro manages budget resources responsibly, purposefully and rationally
In 2020, the University of Montenegro, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, ensured the continuity and quality of the teaching process, scientific research and international cooperation, responsibly took care of needs and safety of its employees as well as ensured positive financial business and significant investment in developing capacities of the University. As an autonomous institution, summarizing the results in 2020, the University combined educational, scientific research and artistic work as a part of a unique process of higher education through good planning and home use of funds which conditioned good business and continued trend of positive business of the University of Montenegro.
The Rector of the University Danilo Nikolić announced that the University of Montenegro manages budget resources responsibly, purposefully and rationally. “Financial business is in accordance with legal obligations transparently and publicly available on the website through Financial Reports, Financial Plan and Public Procurement Plan for the current year. In that manner, with financial efficiency we create necessary conditions for quality education, scientific production, international affirmation and socially responsible activities of the University of Montenegro, as the central institution of Montenegrin education, science and art”, said Nikolić.
The Rector stated that we could be proud that we moved from the former negative business to the zone of stabile and positive business to the satisfaction of all employees at the University. In 2020, 20,65 million euros were allocated for the business of the University of Montenegro, of which almost 19 million were spent on the salaries of employees. At the end of 2020, the University had 14,9 milion euros of its own fund on its account.
The University of Montenegro also acted responsibly towards the improvement of the professional, material and social status of employees during the last year, which led to the improvement of their standard, says Nikolić. "The salary of all employees at the University of Montenegro has been increased by 9 percent in 2020, and an increase of 3 percent is planned for 2021. 400,000 euros has been set aside for the remuneration of scientific research and project activities for the scientific fund, and 2 million euros for the housing fund for solving the housing needs of employees. The construction of 4 residential buildings is planned, for which the consent of the Government was obtained and a request was submitted to the line ministry to announce a competition for the conceptual design, according to the Rector.
In 2020, the University of Montenegro ensured the continuity and quality of the teaching process in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Among other things, the Rules for studying undergraduate, graduate and doctoral studies were improved. The process of optimization and rationalization of study programs at the already existing undergraduate and new master studies was completed, new Rules for lifelong learning process at the University of Montenegro were adopted, for acquiring new competencies and qualifications, for all ages and population categories. The process of internalization of study programs continued, Doctoral school was formed and accreditation of the first study program in English in the interdisciplinary field began. In 2020, regardless of the global situation, the University of Montenegro allocated significant funds for investment maintenance of facilities, computer and teaching equipment, as well as for maintenance and procurement of new furniture for amphitheaters, classrooms, libraries and reading rooms. Also, the intensive work continued on the digitalization of the entire administrative and operational system of support for the teaching process and student activities”, said Nikolić.
The University of Montenegro is predominantly committed to innovation, interdisciplinary and internationalization of teaching and scientific research. The successful positioning of the University of Montenegro on the list of world universities is the result of dedicated work of professors and associates, quality of their scientific research, as well as continuous support provided by the University management tom encourage the best scientific results and international affirmation of the University. The end of 2020, on the Google Scholar list or Google Scholar, marked an increase in more than 120 new names of scientists at the University of Montenegro, so as today there are a total of 542 compared to the last month of 2019. The University of Montenegro is ranked at a high 1328th place of the best world universities in the category of the largest number of citations based on Google Scholar profiles, which is the best result in this category so far. In the domain of commitment of the academic excellence, the adopted strategy of human resources in research was adopted – compatibility with the European Charter and the Code for Researchers, the University of Montenegro was rewarded the logo of excellence – acknowledgment by the European Committee.
Nikolić emphasized the high degree of social responsibility and solidarity demonstrated by professors, associates and students through various activities provided to many institutions of the state and society in the fight against coronavirus. Also, the project of greening areas on the university campus continued in order to expand green oasis in urban areas and promote environmental awareness of our students and citizens.
At the end of last year, a very important Strategy for the internationalization of the University of Montenegro for the period from 2021 to 2026 was adopted and it represents an academic agenda and functional framework for the international visibility and recognition of the University of Montenegro, primarily in European Higher Education Area and the European Research Area.