Rector Božović Welcomed the Eldest Freshmen of the University of Montenegro
Rector of the University of Montenegro, Vladimir Božović, PhD, greeted today the oldest freshman of the University of Montenegro, 87-year-old Branislav Radulović, a student of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering in the Road Traffic study program.
Rector Božović welcomed the example that Mr. Radulović set for his much younger colleagues. He referred to similar examples he witnessed in America, as a doctoral student at Florida Atlantic University, working simultaneously as a teaching assistant, and then as a lecturer.
"Often in groups, at lectures, there were people like you, who finished their professional careers, completed serious studies and enrolled others. My experience says that it was good both for them, their mental condition, and in general, contact with everyday life in an educational and scientific sense, as well as for the others, as an example and incentive," Rector Božović said. He added that he is convinced that the echo of his example in the public will influence all those who have stopped on the path of education and personal improvement and will encourage them to continue improving.
"I succeeded if I made at least one student to take his job seriously," Radulović said. "I am delighted with lecturers, they try so hard to bring curriculum closer to people, that just by listening to the lectures you can graduate from the university." I was lucky to fall into a group of young men and women who are a treasure for Montenegro. I see here future experts, managers from all fields. They are not at all envious or jealous, as was the habit of our old people, but it is a pleasure to study with them. I have never come without a hand being extended and asking questions with me first. Thats satisfaction for me," Radulović shared his impressions.
He added that young people give him the strength and will to persevere as long as possible in his effort to finish his studies, although age takes its toll, and with technology that has advanced a lot, it is more difficult to manage.
"I had a good math teacher, Rado Bošković, I think he would have a hard time managing himself today." Cybernetics is something new for me, it is progressing hour by hour. The fact that I am a surveyor, which is closely related to mechanical engineering, is a great help for my studies, and whatever is imagined, a project is needed that should be made by a mechanical engineer," Radulović said.
"Ive never worked with computers in my life," he said. My first class with Professor Aleksandar Vujović - I was so enchanted in that class that I didnt even notice that the class was over and that no one was in the classroom," Radulović said.
Radulović is father of four children, one son and three daughters, and the grandfather of seven grandchildren and one granddaughter. Granddaughter Andrea Mihailović, who is an associate at the Faculty of Law of the University of Montenegro, was the main support for him to enter the faculty.
"I cannot brag with any good results at the university." Im neither among the worst nor among the best, but Im here," Radulović is being modest.
He stated that he was the first post-war generation of champions who enrolled in elementary school. He has always loved challenges, and he was dedicated and demanding in his work. He worked in the Republic Survey Administration of Montenegro as a manager, and for a time in Iraq he led a Yugoslav professional team of geodesists and engineers, among whom there were doctors of philosophy from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia. Today, his children are educated and independent people. "I am a rich man because I have a clear conscience and a healthy family," Radulović concludes.
Rector Božović thanked him for his visit and expressed his willingness, on behalf of the University of Montenegro, to provide support and overcome possible obstacles in achieving his ambition to further his education and training.