Today, the National Erasmus+ Office in Montenegro organized an event titled “Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Programs: a 20-year journey of life-changing opportunities” at the University of Montenegro’s Faculty of Economics. This event was part of the 8th international celebration of Erasmus Days, held from October 14 to 19, 2024.
Since its launch in 2004 as a standalone program, Erasmus Mundus has evolved into a key component of the Erasmus+ program’s international dimension, with a focus on enhancing the quality and appeal of higher education in Europe. By bringing together universities from Europe and beyond, the program has created integrated study programs and offered students worldwide a chance to excel academically and grow personally. The event aimed to highlight the significance of Erasmus Mundus for Montenegro at individual, institutional, and national levels.
The event was moderated by Vanja Drljević, director of the National Erasmus+ Office, who emphasized the crucial role of Erasmus Mundus in Montenegrin higher education and the opportunities it presents. She encouraged active participation from the academic community, which is highly expected. H.E. Liselotte Isaksson from the EU Delegation in Montenegro also stressed the overall importance of the Erasmus+ program and Montenegro’s engagement in it.
Among the speakers was prof. Biljana Šćepanović, a professor and vice dean for international cooperation at the University of Montenegro, Faculty of Civil Engineering, as well as a former Minister of Science. One of the first Montenegrins to earn a double doctorate, she shared her experience studying in programs jointly developed by two universities, discussing both the benefits and challenges of establishing such programs in Montenegro.
Prof. Sanja Peković, vice-rector of UCG, highlighted the university’s efforts in internationalization, which, largely thanks to Erasmus+, has become a key element of institutional policy. She mentioned the university’s Strategy for Internationalization (IESP project) and its recent membership in the Alliance of European Universities, which seeks to form clusters of top universities. She discussed how Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s (EMJM) actions have contributed to UCG’s internationalization, competitiveness, and visibility.
Prof. Tamara Backović, coordinator of the Erasmus+ ME-Study in English project at the University of Montenegro, spoke about the potential of the first undergraduate program offered in English to evolve into a joint master’s program in collaboration with EU universities.
Prof. Danilo Nikolić, also from the University of Montenegro, shared how, in collaboration with Albania, he developed a joint master’s program in environmental protection and management under the Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) action. He presented this program and discussed its potential to be further developed into an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s program.
Finally, Rajka Pejanović, a recipient of an Erasmus Mundus scholarship, shared her personal experiences, highlighted the program’s benefits, and encouraged students to apply for this valuable opportunity.
