mostly function according to the model A=K (Ability = Knowledge), we are developing our A=K*i2 model, where the variable ‘i’ means learning by living, which is the student’s intensity of life during his studies. One knows only what one has experienced and felt. We prepare students for the rapid changes and uncertainties that I mentioned, and we invest a lot in our students’ confidence and into their passion for learning. Our classes start on the 4th of July each year, with the famous Lovćen race and the Rector’s lecture at the top of Lovćen, in front of Njegoš. They start getting used to being on top from the beginning, along with the realisation that the top is hard to reach, but even harder to stay on. • It is a fact that there is a certain prejudice against private education in this region. How do you see that and how do you fight against it? - Yes, we are aware of that and the only way to fight against it is to show quality! First of all, it is important to note that two very distinguished professors from the State university, prof. Veselin Vukotić and prof. Dragan Vukčević, left their prestigious positions and founded the first faculties of what is today the University of Donja Gorica, as they believed in their idea and were convinced that they could create a system that would result in having young people capable of facing challenges in an increasingly challenging global business environment. Almost 13 years later, we can say that they succeeded in this mission, and the main reason for this success is that quality was the priority from the very beginning. I would like to note that we started from just a piece of land in a field in Donja Gorica. Today we operate on a campus dominated by the UDG building of approximately 17,000m2, which has a modern design with an emphasis on possibilities for students to stay all day. We have five amphitheatres, each with more than 300 seats, a library with approximately 350 seats, around 800 computers used in daily teaching, the laboratory for testing food
safety, a 3D laboratory, creative centre, art gallery, gym and much more. UDG has approx. 3,500 students and around 350 teachers and assistants from all continents, as it works on the principle of openness and cooperation with both the local and the global environment.
projects, as well as projects of the European Food Safety Agency etc. We are particularly proud that research teams gathered around the project themes and
Even after graduation, our students continue to have the same system of values in their respective business environments
• You mentioned international cooperation. Since you are a young university, do you have any problems participating in international projects? - When it comes to research projects, both national and international, we are very proud of the results we are achieving. At the moment, whether in the role of partner or coordinator, the University of Donja Gorica is implementing over 40 projects, while about 50 project applications are in the evaluation phase. We are currently implementing projects from different programmes and are proud to highlight projects from H2020, IPA, Erasmus, Eureka, the World Bank, bilateral and national
activities are multidisciplinary, with the specific requirement that those teams always include the participation of junior researchers and students. • You mention research projects and staff mobility. Do your students have the opportunity to participate in international exchanges? - Our students have a very wide range of possibilities when it comes to international exchange, as well as international internships. There is a very small number of countries in Europe where our students have not had an opportunity to reside. Specifically, exchanges that MARCH
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