The University of Montenegro has changed the social paradigm and built a country where freedom is conquered through knowledge

The University of Montenegro has changed the social paradigm of Montenegro and built a country where freedom is conquered through knowledge. This was announced tonight at the central celebration of the UCG jubilee - 50 years of contributions to education, science, and cultural creation, held at the University Sports and Cultural Center in Podgorica on April 29, 2024. (Photo album)

"Today, we strongly feel the impulses of those who founded the University half a century ago. Rarely in Montenegros past, due to the fate of historical adversities, could one think strategically, decades ahead. Fortunately, in 1974, the time and people achieved the necessary and fruitful harmony from which the University was born," said Professor Dr. Vladimir Božović, Rector of the University of Montenegro, opening the event that gathered numerous guests - state officials, members of the academic community, diplomats, students, and other guests.

"With an exceptional, Promethean vision, the founders knew that the University of Montenegro would be the fire around which the most valuable assets of this country would gather. And undoubtedly, they hoped that its precious fruits would return again to this country and its people," emphasized Rector Božović.

He stated that the University, since its founding, has been a field of challenging struggle for Montenegro of knowledge, where even today, in its amphitheaters, laboratories, libraries, exhausting battles are fought for a country of Freedom where the forces of literacy, science, and arts will reign. "For a University that will gift every individual in society a seed of new value."

"Our real greatness far surpasses the dry statistics with which we typically describe ourselves," highlighted Rector Božović, encouraging students to be responsible with the gifts they have and to bravely move forward. The celebration itself, under the slogan FuturUM, he announced, "is a festival of our future dedicated primarily to the students of the University of Montenegro."

Marking this significant anniversary of higher education, the President of Montenegro, Jakov Milatović, emphasized its importance for the healing and further development of our society.

"In times of democratic maturing and technological changes, education remains synonymous with equal opportunities for all. Therefore, we have a duty to maintain its quality and fight against fake diplomas in the most vital spheres of our society such as education and healthcare, and all others," said the President.

"It is unacceptable," he added, "for individuals with questionable diplomas to hold the most responsible positions in the system, while thousands of college graduates wait for jobs at the employment office or leave the country. I believe it is not time to maintain the status quo, but rather, it is our generations responsibility to correct decades-long mistakes." President Milatović welcomed the initial positive changes that have been made and called for decision-makers to be even more decisive and persistent in this fight.

Academician and professor at the University, Dr. Predrag Miranović, noted that the University achieved its goal; it changed Montenegro.

"It contributed not only to economic development but significantly to the emancipation and affirmation of this society, contributing to our self-awareness about what we can achieve as a society. What is crucial is that the University also changed the social paradigm that the state is defended only on the battlefield. It is primarily defended with knowledge, because without the state university, there would not be this Montenegro as we know it."

"We, the students, are the central place of every university," assessed Andrej Vukčević, President of the UCG Student Parliament.

"Therefore, we should be affirmed and given the opportunity to nurture and develop critical thinking and space to express ourselves, and the best among us must be supported, stimulated, and encouraged to actively participate in all processes important for community development. We will build a better University of Montenegro in a partnership relationship, and we will be a support and constructive critic for the general well-being of the university and the entire society."

Via a video message, attendees were also addressed by the President of the University of the Azure Coast in Nice, Jeanick Brisswalter, a representative of one of the universities that today, along with the University of Montenegro, is part of the European University Ulysseus. He reminded them of a collaboration lasting over 20 years, which was strengthened through the establishment of the Balkan Institute for Science and Innovation. The dynamics of this cooperation on numerous topics, especially on cyber security, have had an impact across the Balkans and led to membership in Ulysseus. "I’m convinced that these 50 years will be just the beginning of a great joint adventure," he concluded.

The ceremony, which began with a reception of guests accompanied by appropriate musical ambiance, also featured a digital photo exhibition from the jubilee monograph about the University. Attendees had the opportunity to watch a documentary film about the University of Montenegro, directed by Professor Dr. Nikola Vukčević, followed by the anthems of Montenegro and "Gaudeamus Igitur," performed by the Symphony Orchestra and Choir of the UCG Music Academy, featuring vocal soloists.