09.12.2021

Cluster meeting: Synergetic effects of Erasmus + projects for better university cooperation with businesses

In cooperation with the National Erasmus Office in Montenegro and the Chamber of Cconomy of Montenegro, a meeting of Erasmus + projects of higher education institutions that address issues of more efficient and productive cooperation with the economy of the country, was held on December 9, 2021.

On behalf of the University of Montenegro, Ms. Srna Sudar, Head of the Center for Technology Transfer addressed the meeting participants, by expressing satisfaction that the need for integration and thematic capitalization of the results of Erasmus+ projects was recognized. The University of Montenegro organized on 24.11.2021. such gathering and gathered coordinators of all ongoing Erasmus+ projects at the University of Montenegro, in order to encourage networking and further generation of new and innovative ideas.

Ms. Sudar in her address to representatives of higher education institutions and businesses that physically attended the gathering, as well as ones who followed the meeting through the online platform, said that it must be taken into account that there was a shift of paradigm of science that resulted in the expectation that university education is instrumental and practically usable for solving accumulated problems in society and economy. This led to a key segment of new postulates of higher education - strengthening cooperation with the business and public sector, which is recognized as one of the strategic development goals of the Development Strategy of the University of Montenegro 2019-2024.

For successful cooperation with the businesses and the implementation of practical learning, it is necessary to conduct a thorough analysis of labor market needs, then adjust enrollment policy and strengthen the organization of student internships with employers by signing Memorandum of cooperation with institutions from the business and public sector.

As the University of Montenegro is focused on internationalization and the EU and international research and innovation markets, teaching is continuously improved by innovating existing and creating and implementing new study programs at all levels of studies, enabling students to acquire all knowledge and competencies needed for active participation in labor market, which require general business skills and competencies, in addition to professional knowledge.

During the meeting, Ms. Sudar also presented the Erasmus + project SUCCESS - Sustainable cooperation between universities and the businesses for better employment of students, which directly addresses the topic of today's meeting. During the presentation, Ms. Sudar informed participants with the activities and results of the SUCCESS project, the analysis of the current practice of cooperation between the University and companies in the country, as well as its surprising results, which served as one of the key points for discussion and challenges on the given topics.

The promotional material of the Euraxess pan-European network for mobility and employment of researchers was also distributed at the meeting, so that the business sector could use all existing capacities to increase their innovative potentials.