THE BEST FROM PODGORICA
The first competition for students of Montenegrin secondary schools in the field of electrical engineering, “ENERGY IN THE WIRE,” has concluded. First place and a cash prize of 750 euros went to the team from “Vaso Aligrudić” Secondary Electrical Engineering School in Podgorica.
Three-member teams from six educational institutions offering programmes in electrical engineering tested their knowledge and skills (Berane Secondary Vocational School, “Vaso Aligrudić” Secondary Electrical Engineering School in Podgorica, “Mladost” Secondary Mixed School in Tivat, Nikšić Secondary Vocational School, Bijelo Polje Secondary Electrical and Economics School, and Pljevlja Secondary Vocational School).
– We prepared for the competition for about three weeks, worked hard and practised a lot, and this award is recognition of the effort we put in. Until now, we have not had the opportunity to test our knowledge and skills against our peers from other electrical engineering schools in Montenegro, so this has been an excellent experience – said Predrag Budrak from the first-place team.
Second place and a cash prize of 600 euros went to the team from Bijelo Polje Secondary Electrical and Economics School, while third place and 450 euros were won by the team from Pljevlja Secondary Vocational School. The award for the best school, together with a laptop, went to “Vaso Aligrudić” Secondary Electrical Engineering School in Podgorica. Cash prizes of 250 euros were also provided for the mentors of the winning teams.
– First of all, I would like to thank our mentors, led by Branislav Čolović, who prepared us for the competition. The third-place award is a great achievement for our school, because we study computer electrical engineering, while this competition required knowledge of electrical engineering. This was an incredible experience, and we hope this competition will become a tradition – said Goran Radović, a student at Pljevlja Secondary Vocational School. 
The theoretical part of the competition required an impressive level of knowledge of the Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering, while the practical task involved wiring the electrical installations of a household, including all components.
The contestants’ knowledge and skills were assessed by a three-member expert jury comprising Prof. Saša Mujović, PhD, from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering in Podgorica; Slobodan Kovačević, Head of the Local Network Management Centre at CEDIS; and Marina Braletić from the Centre for Vocational Education.
The competition was organised by the Montenegrin Electricity Distribution System, in cooperation with the Association of Electrical Engineering Teachers of Montenegro (UPECG). CEDIS also provided cash prizes for the competition winners. “ENERGY IN THE WIRE” is one in a series of projects through which CEDIS has further demonstrated that a fundamental commitment to the community is a key principle guiding its operations. Since the beginning of the year, CEDIS has donated funds to “Slobodan Škerović” Gymnasium, “Njegoš” Primary School in Spuž on the occasion of its 139th anniversary, as well as to “Vuko Jovović” Primary School in Danilovgrad and “Zagorka Ivanović” Public Preschool Institution in Cetinje.
– Above all, CEDIS is a company that values knowledge. By organising this competition, we want to connect educational institutions with the professions CEDIS needs to carry out its core activities. First and foremost, this is an opportunity for secondary school students to demonstrate, through theoretical and practical work, what they have learned so far in electrical engineering. Since the competition will be open to the public, it is also a good opportunity for future secondary school students to learn about this area of vocational education, which may serve as a guide when choosing their future profession. We would be delighted if some of you chose CEDIS as the place to begin and develop your careers – said Marija Jovović, Head of CEDIS’s Corporate Communications Department.
Marija Jovović
The competition was opened by Marko Radulović, Director General of the Directorate for Energy Efficiency at the Ministry of Economy, who noted that the most significant issues in the energy sector today concern increasing the share of renewable energy sources, promoting energy efficiency, and investment in these areas.
– The implementation of sustainable energy development involves the application of creative and advanced technological solutions and new tools, as well as specialised training and education. Therefore, future generations are responsible for adapting to new trends in the coming period and acquiring the relevant knowledge and skills, as this is essential to achieving a good final result – Radulović noted.
Marko Radulović
The organisation of the competition was also supported by the Ministry of Education.
– CEDIS has become our partner in a short time, and a partner that truly cares about positive change in education. This is an excellent example of productive cooperation between the business and education sectors, and I hope that this competition, as well as our cooperation with CEDIS, will continue – emphasised Veljko Tomić, Director General of the Directorate for General Secondary, Vocational Secondary and Adult Education at the Ministry of Education.
Veljko Tomić
