The Montenegrin Electricity Distribution System and the Faculty of Metallurgy and Technology of the University of Montenegro, which is marking its 50th anniversary, signed a Cooperation Agreement on 26 September. The agreement provides for the application and study of modern technologies for energy storage, environmental protection, waste management and related areas.
The agreement was signed at the Dean’s Office of the Faculty of Metallurgy by Vladimir Čađenović, CEDIS Executive Director, and Prof. Veselinka Grudić, PhD, Dean of the Faculty of Metallurgy and Technology. Also present at the signing were Prof. Ivana Bošković, PhD, Vice-Dean for Teaching; Assist. Prof. Nebojša Tadić, PhD, Vice-Dean for Finance; and, on behalf of CEDIS, Dušan Boričić, Head of the Business Development and Innovative Technologies Sector, and Miljan Knežević, IMS and Business Process Improvement Officer.
Among other areas, the Faculty of Metallurgy and Technology conducts research on the synthesis and characterisation of materials for energy storage, which is of great interest to our company in light of the development of renewable energy sources, primarily solar power plants. This is therefore the right time to expand our cooperation, which began with CEDIS’s participation in the CRESCENTO (CiRcular Economy Skills enhancement NeTwOrk) summer school, organised under the auspices of Interreg Adrion.
Executive Director Vladimir Čađenović expressed great satisfaction with the conclusion of the long-term cooperation agreement and emphasised that cooperation with scientific and educational institutions in Montenegro is extremely important to CEDIS, as knowledge and practical experience always produce good results when combined. Connecting the distribution system operator with the Faculty of Metallurgy opens up new opportunities both for the institution’s students and for CEDIS experts, who will be able to collaborate and participate jointly in projects aimed at the technological advancement of our country.
“CEDIS has long been recognised as a socially responsible company that invests in the knowledge of young people, and we are always ready to support technological development and research. This agreement is the first step towards closer cooperation between our company and your institution in the areas of innovation, the application of new technologies and materials, waste management, knowledge transfer, the organisation of professional placements for students, and more. I am confident that we will continue to strengthen Montenegro’s economic and scientific potential,” said Čađenović.
Prof. Veselinka Grudić, PhD, said that this was a great day for both parties and that she expected fruitful cooperation on the preparation of project applications, feasibility studies and analyses; joint participation and representation in international markets; and the exchange of information through lectures and presentations, as well as joint organisation of professional and scientific conferences and similar events.
“This agreement will be just the first step, an ‘initial spark’ for our future cooperation. Environmental protection is a particular area of cooperation, given that the Faculty of Metallurgy and Technology educates professionals in this field, while environmental protection is an integral part of CEDIS’s corporate management strategy.
Joint applications for international projects will significantly contribute to improving our laboratory infrastructure, while cooperation with electrical engineers could advance the development of energy storage systems,” Prof. Grudić noted, adding that the agreement would also enable CEDIS experts to take part in these projects and contribute to the development of new technologies and the identification of the best solutions in this field.
Following the signing of the agreement, the participants toured the laboratories and learned about the laboratory equipment available at the Faculty of Metallurgy and Technology. The visit concluded with a pleasant discussion about current research being conducted at the Faculty.
Both parties agreed that further progress should be made in developing materials for energy storage, an area in which the Faculty of Metallurgy and Technology is achieving successful results through its project activities.
