With the aim of actively involving students of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering in following new development projects and ensuring that future professionals become familiar with our facilities and processes, CEDIS took its cooperation with this higher education institution to a higher level on 12 November, the 60th anniversary of ETF. The Protocol on Cooperation with ETF was signed by CEDIS Board of Directors President Rajko Radošević and ETF Dean Prof. Dr Saša Mujović. In addition to CEDIS, the Protocol was also signed by EPCG, the Agency for Electronic Communications and Postal Services, the Energy and Regulated Services Agency, Telenor, CKB and the Central Bank of Montenegro.
Prof. Dr Saša Mujović and CEDIS Board of Directors President Rajko Radošević
“Generations of engineers have studied under the roof of this distinguished and prestigious higher education institution, which would undoubtedly be a source of pride for countries far larger and more developed than ours. They have contributed their knowledge to the foundations and development of Montenegro’s power system. Hundreds of engineers, leading and internationally recognised experts, have contributed their knowledge to the progress and development of Elektroprivreda Crne Gore, the country’s largest state-owned company, which is currently in the midst of a major investment drive. New wind farms, solar power plants and hydropower plants, many of which are at an advanced stage of development, require new experts, engineers and people to operate and maintain them. In view of this, we considered it high time to revive some long-standing and proven models of cooperation. Accordingly, we decided to further improve and strengthen our relations, to the satisfaction of all stakeholders in our country’s social life. In this spirit of cooperation, I am particularly pleased to sign the Protocol on Cooperation,” said EPCG Executive Director Nikola Rovčanin on the occasion. He also noted the importance of making progress and achieving improvements in the development of the energy system, our economy and our country.
Nikola Rovčanin
“This is our need, but also our obligation to this and future generations. We want to actively involve ETF students in following new development projects in the field of green energy, while sharing the practical knowledge of our experienced experts with them. As a socially responsible company, we want to invest in the knowledge of the people on whom our country’s power system depends and will continue to depend, and ensure that our best people stay in their country and work for it. Deeply convinced that we share a vision of progress, and certain that, as a commitment to the future, we must not miss the development opportunities available today, I believe that taking our cooperation to a higher level today is a symbol of our shared, firm commitment to guiding our economy—and therefore society as a whole—towards modern global trends,” Rovčanin said.
The Dean of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Saša Mujović, said that being part of ETF in any capacity was a privilege, and an advance commitment to sacrifice, dedication, patience and a deep belief that hard work must yield results.
“Two major, landmark projects are on the verge of implementation. The first is that 5G network testing will soon be conducted at ETF in cooperation with Telenor. The second major project is our agreement with ABB, which will establish and launch a Regional Centre of Excellence at ETF. There is growing awareness today that science is not an expense but the best investment, and that knowledge is the best way to improve our services and thereby contribute to the people of Montenegro,” Prof. Mujović said, adding that ETF plans and develops its workforce very successfully. Over the past two years, five of its top students who completed their PhDs at ETF were appointed to professorships and retained at the Faculty. He said this was an exceptional investment in the future and allayed fears that the inevitable retirement of their senior colleagues would jeopardise ETF’s future operations.
Prof. Dr Saša Mujović
“We have done everything we can to retain our best students at ETF, and have largely succeeded, thanks above all to the support of our business partners, led by EPCG. The importance of this is reflected in the fact that at least 20 years must pass between a student completing undergraduate studies and potentially being appointed a full professor. In other words, we do not develop our workforce today for tomorrow; it is a process we plan carefully,” Mujović said.
“Montenegro and our society have been given a great opportunity, reflected in the green transition and the production of electricity from renewable sources. We must not miss it, because we have outstanding potential and EPCG is a genuine partner, ready to cooperate with industry professionals and academia. Let us unite and raise Montenegro through the power sector; let us show young people that education and hard work are worthwhile. They should have employment opportunities in our society and be able to plan their future in Montenegro,” said Milutin Đukanović, President of the Board of Directors of Elektroprivreda Crne Gore, noting that ETF in Podgorica had been a breeding ground for professionals and experts and that this potential must be put to the best possible use.
Milutin Đukanović
The President of the Parliament of Montenegro, Aleksa Bečić, also spoke at the ceremony marking ETF’s 60th anniversary. Among other things, he stressed that Montenegro, which aspires to become the next member of the European Union, is obliged to direct all available resources, energy and knowledge towards educating young and ambitious people, and to keep pace with Europe’s most advanced countries by following modern scientific trends and labour market needs, while creating the conditions for educated young people to work in their homeland.
“Young people are the key driver of our country’s social and economic development, and, supported by experience, they are the ones capable of meeting the demands and challenges of our modern age,” Bečić said, emphasising that we have a duty to provide a favourable business environment that will retain skilled professionals in the country and give them optimal conditions to work and create, so that knowledge remains in our country rather than being exported, as has been the case in the past.
Aleksa Bečić
“And for this very reason, as a society, we are obliged to face the most difficult challenge yet: how to stop the brain drain and thereby contribute to stronger and more dynamic development of the entire country and society. Step by step, we must solve this puzzle as well. Meeting this challenge requires the engagement of all social and political stakeholders. Your support in addressing it is crucial and essential,” Bečić concluded.
Rector of the University of Montenegro Vladimir Božović said that, after its first 60 years, ETF had demonstrated maturity, wisdom and strength.
“Today, as we celebrate 60 years of science and education, we have an opportunity to show that we are mature, yet also youthful, energetic and successful—not only locally, but on a much broader scale. You know how, when you recognise the signs of exceptional talent, speed and insight in someone at a very early age, you say: ‘This child will be a genius.’ That is the story of ETF in Podgorica. Today, we are not merely celebrating 60 years of history; we are, in essence, marking many successful years of a brilliant scientific and educational future in which ETF will be our leading force,” Božović said.
Vladimir Božović
The Dean of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering in Belgrade, Prof. Dr Milo Tomašević, also spoke at the ceremony. Among other things, he said that his institution shared ETF Podgorica’s commitment to excellence in teaching and scientific research in education, and that the two faculties had a common mission and vision. One of ETF’s most senior professors, Prof. Dr Novak Jauković, also addressed those present.
Prof. Dr Milo Tomašević
The top students of the previous academic year, who received cash awards, were also announced.
