University Mediterranean, Faculty of Tourism is a partner of the prestigious Paul Bocuse Institute from Lyon

Based on the cooperation between the Faculty of Tourism and PBI, and under the Erasmus mobility program, representatives of the Mediterranean University Podgorica stayed in Lyon at the Paul Bocuse Institute. The Mediterranean University was represented by the dean of the Faculty of Tourism, Prof. Silvana Djurasevic, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Information Technologies, Maja Delibašić, Ph.D., and teaching assistant at the Faculty of Tourism, Djordjina Janković. It was an opportunity to exchange experience on various issues and get acquainted with new concepts of work in this field, but we are especially proud that the mutual mobility of students was agreed with this recognized Institute. Otherwise, PBI diplomas are recognized by two ministries in France, the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation and the Ministry of Labor and Employment. Firstly, it is important from a scientific point of view, and secondly for the possibility of employment. It is a prestigious institution with a 32-year tradition founded by the famous chef Paul Bocuse and Gerard Pelisson (co-owner of the most famous hotel chain in Europe, Accor Group). In the small town of Ecully, in a beautiful castle within a park area of ​​7 ha, they founded this Institute with the desire to educate young people in the field of catering and cooking who, using modern management knowledge and creative techniques and skills in the preparation of food and drinks, raise French gastronomy and the culture of food consumption to the level that French catering has today, as one of the most prestigious in the world. They prepare them for a whole range of positions, of which we were most interested in Food & Beverage managers, which are the most deficient in our country, because there is no adequate school for that. Within the castle, next to the school where Hotel Management, Restaurant Management, Culinary Art Management and Pastry shop Management are studied theoretically and practically, with very diverse modules, there is also a luxury restaurant with Michelin stars. The students have access to the most modern equipment, they are taught by the world’s most famous chefs and recognized professionals, they practice in hotels and restaurants within the Accor Group, and they find employment in renowned hotels and restaurants around the world. There are very strict rules regarding mandatory good behavior, wearing uniforms, compulsory attendance at classes, the possibility of only one deadline for a possible re-sit, practice in France and a one-year intership abroad. Students acquire their skills through creative projects and Business Games, of which we attended business “games” related to Revenue Management. The school’s students work very successfully in the school’s restaurant, which prepares over 300 meals a day for students and teaching staff. Thanks to the helpfulness of our colleagues, this was an extremely useful experience for our small team, which will serve in the further evaluation of existing programs and their innovation.