19.02.2021

The Interim Rector of the University of Montenegro assoc. prof. Vladimir Božović, spoke for Dan

The interim Rector of the University of Montenegro Vladimir Božović told Dan that after first analyses and conversations with the deans, they noticed a problem with the lack of lecturers at the faculties and the impossibility to hire additional professors.

Božović points out that this year two audits of financial operations of the University in the previous period will be conducted that will answer the question whether the money was legally spent on faculties and in Rectorate.

Božović states that if it is possible due to the deadlines for announcing the competition, the new leadership will wait for the adoption of the amendments to the Law on Higher Education, so that the entire academic community can decide on the election of a new rector.

“One of the basic problems at the University of Montenegro and at many faculties is that we do not have the opportunity to hire a sufficient number of people to teach. We have certain legal restrictions that burden our existing working academic staff with the number of hours and engagement. In addition, we have a problem that we cannot include new people in the academic process, which was pointed out by the deans of almost all university units. And we have the standard problem of lack of financial resources for the development of certain faculty units. Comparing with the institutions from the region, we estimated that the number of students and staff is escalating and that it is necessary to increase the budget, but we know what the situation is. We will try to reach a bigger budget, but that is a question of the competent institutions ", says Božović.

He explains that the internal audit of the University of Montenegro will do its part and that if any irregularities are found during the audit, it will react to them as before.

“After a number of years, the State Audit Institution will make a more detailed review of the situation at the University this year in terms of finances and legality of certain procedures. They are already in that preparatory-initial phase, we expect them to continue their work, after that they will submit a report. We are here to stop negative practices and decisions, if they are found to have existed. The new management will strive to ensure that in every segment of the life and work of the University of Montenegro, the procedures are harmonized with legal norms and ethical standards. We will try to make the life of the University of Montenegro impeccably clean, and we are oriented to let go first and see what the Internal Audit Service and the SAI will determine. If we estimate that another additional audit should be initiated, we will engage an external audit, which will have the task of completing the project task by the end", Božović emphasized.

Božović also points out that the orientation of the new leadership is to wait for a new law that will democratize the election of the rector.

“We will strive to change the existing model of electing the rector, in order to include the entire academic community, and not, as has been the case so far, for the Steering Committee to make a decision. Only in the event that the assessment that the law will not enter the procedure in the six months that the interim rector can last. Then, by force of circumstances, the rector would be elected according to the old law. In addition to this change, we are preparing a working group that will form its proposals, which will include the wider academic community. We consulted with the deans and heard a lot of suggestions and requests. All this should be systematized and sent to the ministry," said Božović.