The University of Montenegro Celebrated Ten Years for being Part of Erasmus+ Program
To celebrate ten years of participation in the Erasmus+ mobility program, and within the framework of the European initiative Erasmus Days 2025, a special ceremony titled “A Decade of Mobility at the University of Montenegro: Our Ten Years with the Erasmus+ Program” was held, bringing together numerous professors, students, alumni, and friends of this important program of international academic cooperation.
Sanja Peković, PhD, Vice-Rector for Internationalization at the University of Montenegro, addressed the audience, emphasizing the importance of the Erasmus+ program for the development of the university’s international cooperation.
“Through the Erasmus+ program, the University of Montenegro has carried out over 1,200 student mobilities and around 900 staff mobilities for the past ten years. We hope these numbers will continue to grow in years ahead. We are especially proud that the University of Montenegro has become part of the European university alliance ULYSSEUS. Membership in this prestigious network opens numerous opportunities for strengthening international cooperation and mobility, as well as for innovating and modernizing our study programs — one of our key strategic goals,” Peković, PhD, said.
Following Vice-Rector Peković, Ms. Isidora Lakić, Mobility Officer at the Office for International Cooperation and Mobility, spoke from the perspective of someone who coordinates mobilities on a daily basis, highlighting the concrete benefits the Erasmus+ program brings to both students and staff.
“The University of Montenegro have started participating in international mobility programs 17 years ago. Since then, we have signed dozens of bilateral agreements with higher education institutions across Europe and built a stable network of partnerships that enables students and staff to enhance their knowledge, skills, and professional competencies in an international environment. Today, the University of Montenegro has 200 partner universities in 27 European countries, actively cooperating within the Erasmus+ framework. That figure represents not just formal agreements, but hundreds of completed mobilities, new experiences, innovative teaching approaches, and collaborative projects,” Lakić said.
On behalf of the National Erasmus+ Office in Montenegro, Ms. Vanja Drljević, Head of the Office, addressed the audience, emphasizing the University’s dedicated work in promoting and implementing the Erasmus+ program over the past decade.
“The University of Montenegro is one of key drivers of higher education internationalization in Montenegro and a reliable partner in implementing the Erasmus+ program. Through continuous strengthening of administrative capacities, expanding partnerships, and increasing interest among students and staff, UMNE has made a strong contribution to development of the European Education Area,” Drljević stated, who also presented a brief and informative overview of key Erasmus+ aspects and opportunities.
During the panel discussion “Erasmus+ Mobility from the Perspective of UMNE Staff”, Dr. Maja Šofranac, Vice-Dean for International Cooperation at the Faculty of Fine Arts, highlighted the importance of mobility for artistic creation:
“For art, mobility is of exceptional importance. Staying in another country, within a different cultural and educational context, opens space for new perspectives, stimulates creativity, and allows students to step beyond the boundaries of the familiar and every day,” Dr. Šofranac said.
Milena Tadić, PhD, from the Faculty of Metallurgy and Technology, added: “True value of the Erasmus+ program lies in the synergy between academic exchange and personal growth. Through these mobilities, our students and staff not only gain professional knowledge and skills but also return enriched with new experiences, confidence, and lifelong international friendships.”
Mr. Dejan Lučić, Senior Associate at the Centre for Doctoral Studies, also shared his professional experience with Erasmus+ mobility: “When I decided to take part in a mobility program, I was guided by the idea that what I learn and experience should contribute to the institution where I work. For me, mobility was not only a form of personal development, but also an opportunity to apply acquired knowledge and skills in practice and thereby enhance our institution’s performance,” he said.
In the panel discussion “Erasmus+ Mobility from the Perspective of UCG Students”, Amar Čuturić from the Faculty of Law (University of Saarland, Germany), Nemanja Bošković from the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality (Breda University of Applied Sciences, the Netherlands), and Jovana Šobić from the Faculty of Political Science (University of Łódź, Poland) shared their experiences. All three spoke highly of their Erasmus+ exchanges, emphasizing that mobility provided them with much more than academic knowledge — it brought new friendships, cultural understanding, and confidence that, as they said, could not be gained in any other way.
Also Senka Šekularac Ivošević, PhD, joined via Zoom, who underscored the importance of the Erasmus+ program for the academic community and her home faculty, stressing the value of building strategic partnerships through joint projects and personal academic connections.
Ms. Mia Radović, an alumna of the Faculty of Economics currently residing in Milan, also joined online, sharing how mobility opened new horizons for her, introduced her to different cultures, and enhanced her academic and social skills.
Finally, Ms. Nađa Stojanović, President of ESN Podgorica, emphasized the importance of the Erasmus Student Network as a vital resource for supporting and connecting students involved in mobility. The anniversary was also attended by international students currently studying at the University of Montenegro, including Angela Paluan and Emilio Pieraccioni from the University of Bologna, who shared positive impressions of their stay and studies in Montenegro. Their presence further highlighted the international spirit of the event and the welcoming atmosphere fostered by the Erasmus+ program.
The celebration of this anniversary reaffirmed that the Erasmus+ program is not just a tool for mobility, but a powerful catalyst for personal, professional, and institutional growth. The University of Montenegro remains committed to expanding international horizons for all its students and staff.