University “Mediterranean” Podgorica and University of Montenegro host the rector’s meeting of the Network of Universities of Small States and Territories (NUSCT)

On Friday, May 8, the 8th consecutive annual meeting of the rectors of universities belonging to the NUSCT – network of universities of small states and territories was held in the premises of the Rectorate of the University of Montenegro, which was opened by the rector of the University “Mediterranean” Podgorica, prof. dr. Savo Marković, rector of the University of Montenegro, prof. dr. Vladimir Božović, and president of the network and rector of the University of Akureyri in Iceland, prof. dr. Aslaug Ásgeirsdóttir (Áslaug Ásgeirsdóttir). The event brought together representatives of universities and partner institutions from several small European countries and territories, including Iceland, Andorra, Cyprus, San Marino, the Faroe Islands, the Åland Islands and Liechtenstein.

In the introductory part, the rector prof. dr. Savo Marković referred to the symbolic significance of the year 2026, which marks the jubilee of Montenegro’s independence and the jubilee of the first private university in the country, University “Mediterranean” Podgorica, founded in 2006, pointing out that the twenty-year development of Montenegro shows that investment in higher education, professional staff and preservation of intellectual potential are key prerequisites for further social and economic progress, especially in the context of contemporary global challenges and the need to preserve the stability and identity of the state. Rector of the University of Montenegro, prof. dr. Vladimir Božović also addressed the audience and said that the universities of small countries and territories, although they individually come from geographically and demographically smaller areas, can have a strong influence by working together, and that together they represent a strong academic voice capable of initiating significant cooperation, improving research and education, and promoting values ​​that may need a stronger defense today than ever before.

In the working part of the meeting, representatives of the University “Mediterranean” Podgorica, prof. dr. Maja Delibašić and dr. Nataša Kraljević introduced the participants to the programs they implement at the university, as well as potential opportunities for cooperation within the NUSCT network. The meeting served to exchange opinions and possible future activities within the network, emphasizing the importance of strengthening international academic cooperation, exchange of experiences and joint initiatives in the field of higher education and scientific research.

The Network of Universities of Small States and Territories (NUSCT) is a collaborative network of higher education institutions from small states and territories, whose mission is to strengthen cooperation in education, research and innovation, while promoting academic freedom, institutional autonomy and sustainable development of small higher education systems.