Education - Your Door To The Future 2021

BRANKO RUŽIĆ, FIRST DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER OF SERBIA AND MINISTER OF EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT

Not A Single School Day Was Lost

Despite the challenges of the pandemic, Serbia has been among the few countries that has managed, without postponements, to enable pupils and students at all levels of education to follow classes online from the beginning of the school year. We believe that we will end the school year equally successfully ~ Branko Ružić 4

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he most important thing for us is to preserve the health and safety of children and all employees in the education system - says First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Science and Technological Development Branko Ružić. This is also the key guiding notion that will determine how teaching the curriculum will be organised in this school year, as well

REFORMS

RESPONSIBILITY

INCLUSIVITY

It’s important to maintain the continuity of reform processes and continue to advance education and science in accordance with contemporary global tendencies

Everyone in the system – school pupils, educators and extracurricular staff – showed a high degree of responsibility, professionalism and self-sacrifice

Vulnerable groups of pupils were not excluded from the education system in any way during this period

as the return to school in the autumn. Thanks to the self-sacrifice of education workers, but also companies and pupils who attend classes in dual education, children had the opportunity to conduct all teaching units that are ordinarily performed in companies.

Thanks to the support of donors and the engagement of the ministry, classes can also be attended by children from particularly vulnerable groups without hindrance.

How resistant to the challenges of COVID-19 has the education system proved itself to be?

- The education system responded fully to the new and sudden circumstances that were imposed by the Coronavirus Pandemic and displayed great flexibility. I will remind you that we are among the few countries in Europe, and the only one in the region, to have enabled students at all levels of education to attend classes without postponements since the beginning of the school year. No school day was lost. Teaching has taken place in continuity, according to established models, and even under these difficult and unpredictable conditions, no one has been denied the right to an education. In this situation, everyone in the system – school pupils, educators and extracurricular staff – showed a high degree of responsibility, professionalism and self-sacrifice.

What are your key objectives when it comes to the successful completion of this academic year?

- Our goal is to successfully conclude this school year and implement all planned and envisaged activities, starting from enrolment activities to legislative amendments and other reform moves. However, the most important thing at this juncture is to preserve the health and safety of children and all employees in the education and training system. It has been shown so far that educational institutions are not places where the virus is transmitted,

because everyone in that system adheres to the prescribed epidemiological measures.

and primary schools, as well as enrolment in secondary schools and university colleges.

In the meantime we’ve seen significant progress on the digitisation of the education system. How many educational institutions are today equipped with the most modern e-classrooms?

- I would like every child in Serbia, even in the country’s most remote parts, to have an opportunity to use the most modern equipment. That’s why it’s important to maintain the continuity of reform processes and continue to advance education and science in accordance with contemporary global tendencies. The Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development is striving, through various projects and in cooperation with partners, to digitise the entire system to the greatest possible extent, but also to improve the teaching process and increase

What kinds of plans do you have when it comes to preparing for the next academic year? Will some of the teaching content still be provided online?

- It’s too early to discuss this topic. The organisation of classes will first and foremost depend on the epidemiological situation.

We expect mass immunisation and the implementation of epidemiological measures to lead to the normalisation of all segments of life, including teaching and the education process. So, when all teachers and pupils will return to their classrooms will depend exclusively on the epidemiological situation, which we are monitoring on a daily basis in cooperation with the Crisis Staff and the competent institutions. During the COVID-19 viral pandemic everyone had an opportunity

I would like every child in Serbia, even in the country's most remote parts, to have an opportunity to use the most modern equipment the skills and digital competencies of pupils and teachers. It is planned to equip another 10,000 digital classrooms in the second half of this school year, as well as to secure another 11,500 digital classrooms for the next school year. Plans also include the renewal of equipment in computer rooms, in order for pupils to be bale to use more modern computers. Apart from this, last year saw the start of the process of digitising the final exam for primary education, while this year we will advance this process even further.

As you know, alongside equipping rooms with IT equipment, digitisation also means, among other things, developing new electronic services that save time for our citizens. The e-enrolment service thus enables the easier enrolment of children in preschool institutions

to see the possibilities offered by online teaching for themselves, and this type of teaching will certainly be applied under certain circumstances.

To what extent were vulnerable groups of children covered by online classes and how will they manage to make up for the backlog in their schooling?

- One of the priorities of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development is to make education equally accessible to all pupils. Vulnerable groups of pupils were not excluded from the education system in any way during this period. For the small number of pupils who didn’t have the opportunity to follow remote teaching, teachers and professional associates provided teaching materials

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call of the Ministry and school principals to enable classes conducted on their premises with licensed instructors to be recorded.

The state maturity diploma represents a serious change to the education system. That's why we postponed its implementation until everything is completely ready and, when necessary, delivered them to pupils in the settlements where they live.

In order to enable greater access to education, we are implementing the project “Bridging the digital divide in Serbia for the most vulnerable children”, which will be implemented in 30 local governments. Under the scope of this initiative, “digital libraries” and “learning clubs” with 1,800 tablets will be established in 30 selected schools. Moreover, 900 teachers who work at these schools will have the opportunity to strengthen their capacities. This will benefit at least 12,000 children. The second area of focus will be on providing psychological and social support to schoolchildren from the Roma population.This project is being implemented by UNICEF and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, with funds provided through a European Union grant.

How were teaching processes in dual education conducted, considering that there were a lot of production delays within companies themselves?

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- We also enabled pupils of four-year and threeyear profiles of secondary vocational schools, who weren’t able to do their internship due to the epidemiological situation, to acquire practical knowledge remotely. Furthermore, intensive activities – through the preparation of video materials and broadcasting these materials on the RTS Planet portal - enabled pupils in dual education to acquire knowledge about learning through work under conditions when it was impossible to visit companies.

Some 1,200 lessons had been filmed by the end of last year, 764 of which can be found in the National Online Database of Lessons for Dual Education Profiles, which was created for eight areas of work.

Teachers from secondary vocational schools and instructors from companies jointly filmed the lessons. Responding to the invitation of schools was a significant number of companies that normally cooperate with schools in the realisation of learning through work experience. Companies that operate in Serbia showed a high level of social responsibility and responded to the

How much have your ministry’s long-term plans suffered as a result of COVID-19?

- As a result of the COVID-19 viral epidemic, changes were made in the organisation of educational work, but we organised all activities - such as enrolments in preschool institutions, primary and secondary schools and university colleges – in accordance with the plan under these altered circumstances.

As in other segments of society, there were slight shifts in deadlines, which didn’t have a long-term and significant impact on the flow of the educational process. Despite this, the “Power of Knowledge” Strategy of Science and Technological Development has been completed and adopted, while the Strategy for the Development of Education until 2027 will be adopted soon. The Law on Amendments to the Law on Higher Education has been prepared, which will enable the National Accreditation Body to return to full membership in the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA), as well as the Law on Student Organisation that is being adopted in Serbia for the first time.

How will this be reflected in some of your plans, such as the plan to introduce the state maturity diploma?

- The state maturity diploma represents a serious change to the education system. I formed the Commission to monitor the activities of introducing the state maturity diploma not only because of the existing epidemiological situation, but also because of the essential exhaustive preparations that are required for its introduction into the education system.This commission will continuously and carefully monitor the preparation of each of the phases of the state maturity diploma, which will be postponed. Until the state maturity diploma is introduced, special attention will be paid to ensuring the detailed and proper informing of pupils and parents, teachers and other representatives of the professional public, regarding the importance of the maturity diploma, as well as all new introductions to the laws and by-laws regulating this area.

“IT’S NOT THAT I’M SO SMART, IT’S JUST THAT I STAY WITH PROBLEMS LONGER” ~ ALBERT EINSTEIN

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RADIVOJE MITROVIĆ PH.D., DEAN OF THE FACULTY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF BELGRADE

Cradle Of Engineers Of The Future The Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Belgrade has improved the quality and attractiveness of its study programmes over recent years, adapting them to global trends in order to open the way for students to pursue successful professional careers as mechanical engineers, which are in demand both in the country and around the world.

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he essence of higher education reforms should be based on the fact that learning is centred on the student, who – in addition to acquiring top theoretical knowledge – should also learn how to apply that knowledge and develop his ideas, says Radivoje Mitrović Ph.D., Dean of the Belgrade Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

You have pointed that the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering bases its work and successes on high-quality teaching, scientific research, international cooperation and cooperation with the commerce sector. That hasn’t changed?

-All of that is still among the key development priorities of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. Our aim is to make a new quantum leap in operations in all segments of our engagement– through raising the quality of teaching, scientific research works, cooperation with the companies and international cooperation – which future generations will continue and develop further.

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Following our motto “Excellence now and in everything”, we primarily turned to focus on the best students, who will develop new products and technologies that will contribute to the economic development of the country and a much higher growth rate of national GDP. It is precisely the reason why we’ve established the Student Centre of Excellence, which currently

4.0”, which we are conducting together with the Faculty of Mathematics at the University of Belgrade and with the active participation of leading domestic and foreign companies.

We are also very proud of our cooperation with the companies, not only in the fields of education and scientific research, but also through joint work on projects. A significant

The Faculty of Mechanical Engineering generates more than 40% of its own income through cooperation with the economy brings together five student teams in the fields of motor vehicles, aviation, shipbuilding, robotics and biomedical engineering.

We participated successfully in the public call ‘Master 4.0’, which was implemented by the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development on the basis of an idea of the Digital Serbia Initiative.The result is a new master’s study programme called “Industry

number of professors and associates have highly developed cooperation with the commerce sector and industry, through which we generate more than 40% of our own income.

When it comes to international cooperation, our researchers – as project leaders and participants – are involved in four Horizon 2020 projects, then in projects within the scope of the Erasmus + programme, as well as bilateral

cooperation projects funded by the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development.

Is the reason for increased interest in enrolment in your faculty related to the re-industrialisation of Serbia, which enables graduates to find work in our country, but also the fact that the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering’s diplomas are recognised worldwide?

- Contributing greatly to the increased interest in mechanical engineering studies among young people are both the radical change in teaching methods and the permanent innovation and harmonisation of study programmes with the needs of industry as well as with the latest trends in mechanical engineering worldwide.

Our faculty distinguishes itself as one of the few in Serbia to offer students a wide range of fields and promising occupations, some of which are unique in the region. This is also one of the reasons why interest is growing in continuing education on master’s and Ph.D. studies.

The quality of studies at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering has also been confirmed by the international accreditations ASIIN and RINA, while many companies have recognised the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering as a place where top engineers are educated. Among them are German companies Brose, ZF (Cet-ef), Siemens, Messer Tehnogas, NIS, EPS, Zastava Arms, Sloboda, Metalac etc.

Cooperation with these companies means adapting the study curricula according to their needs, while they participate actively in the education process through scholarships, professional work practice and joint work on tangible projects, with the possibility of gaining employment even before our students defend their graduate thesis.

As of autumn, students in Serbia receive the opportunity to study according to the dual education model – developed according to the needs and specificities of the higher education system of the Republic of Serbia. The Law on Dual Studies envisages the introduction of a flexible model that higher education institutions would adopt and adjust themselves and connect with interested companies through their own engagements.

The contents of academic master’s studies at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering are conceived in such a way that they also contain, in addition to obligatory subjects, a group of elective subjects. This creates the possibility to

connections with the commerce sector. The most important projects that have resulted from this cooperation include: the Serbian crop field machine; development of HVAC equipment; the KOKAN 500s fruit picker; the device for dispensing and storing wine, and many others. One of the latest projects is a tractor platform for spectrometric reconnaissance of field crops.

The main carriers of these projects are Ph.D. students.

define topics and areas based on the companies’ needs that would be addressed through elective subjects - which would contribute greatly to further improving the quality of academic teaching.

What is a good engineer? One who graduates with the highest grades, one who completes their studies on time or one who thinks more broadly and sees further?

- The best students aren’t necessarily those with the highest grades, rather those who have a kind of engineering “x factor” - the ability to imagine, conceptualise, visualise and, ultimately, turn their ideas into an actual product. Our aim is to educate a new generation of engineers, who will develop new products and technologies. Our ambition is to become part of the creative industries, where newly created intellectual value is the greatest and which will enable the domestic economy to take its own place in the global value chain.

Could you single out some of the most significant projects of the Innovation Centre, which has already been in existence for 15 years?

- The basic role of the Innovation Centre is to transfer technology and improve the faculty’s

Do you agree with the assessment that the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering took a great leap forward in the educating of future mechanical engineers with the establishment of the Student Centre of Excellence? Why is it important?

- With the establishing of the Student Centre of Excellence, we provided the conditions and space for students to create their ideas, then to further develop them in the faculty’s laboratories, and finally to convert them into fully functional prototypes.

The goal is for students to build up and improve the knowledge they gained during the studies by working on specific projects, thus acquiring essential practical competencies and skills that are imperatives of the times in which we live. For them to learn, for example, how to present, explain and defend their projects in front of potential financiers, i.e. how to animate sponsors and companies to support them…

The idea is for the final year of studies to be filled with as much practical engagement as possible.

Do the professors and students of your faculty cooperate with major world companies, but also with small and medium-sized enterprises in Serbia?

-The Faculty of Mechanical Engineering has been carrying out the cooperation with the industry for decades. That cooperation has intensified with the arrival in Serbia of the world’s leading companies. What is especially important is that, in addition to production facilities in Serbia, most of these companies, such as Brose, ZF, Siemens, Bosch, are also opening their own research and development departments. This creates room not only for cooperation through various types of training and teaching, but also for active professional cooperation and the exchange of knowhow and experience through research and development projects.

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UNIVERSITY OF YORK EUROPE CAMPUS, CITY COLLEGE

Study At The 1 Europe Campus Of A Top British University In The Region st

BACHELORS, MASTERS, EXECUTIVE MBA AT CITY COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY OF YORK EUROPE CAMPUS The University of York, one of the best universities in the UK and the world, has partnered with CITY College, which has now become the University of York Europe Campus.

Building on the 30-year legacy and experience of CITY College in delivering top British higher education in the region, the University of York Europe Campus is offering the excellence of British university education in the region in the post-Brexit era. Undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes are offered in Thessaloniki, leading to the University of York degrees.

The University of York is one of the UK’s leading Universities and a member of the prestigious Russell Group. It is one of the world’s premier institutions for pioneering research.

CITY College, Europe Campus is the physical presence of the University of York in Europe and an integrated entity of the University. It has affiliate activities in 8 countries – Serbia among them - and connects academically the UK with Europe and the world.

BACHELORS AND MASTERS STUDIES IN THESSALONIKI BUSINESS STUDIES – PSYCHOLOGY – COMPUTER SCIENCE – ENGLISH STUDIES Bachelors programmes The high-quality bachelors programmes, all taught in English, allow students at CITY College, Europe Campus to enjoy a rich experience of mobility and internationalisation and to gain knowledge and skills that will open up their horizons. Students acquire a strong academic background and practical expertise that will enable them to proceed to postgraduate studies or start a successful career.

Masters programmes CITY College, University of York Europe

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Campus offers a wide range of specialised postgraduate courses (e.g. Marketing, Finance, Psychology, Neuropsychology, Web & Mobile Development, Translation and Interpreting, and many more) addressed to candidates who wish to deepen their knowledge in their field.

All postgraduate programmes take a hands-on, practical learning approach, enabling students to gain invaluable employability skills and pursue a successful career.

THE PRESTIGIOUS EXECUTIVE MBA IN BELGRADE AN MBA PROGRAMME WITH DUAL DEGREE FROM TWO LEADING UNIVERSITIES The University of York Europe Campus, jointly with one of the oldest and most prestigious European Universities, The University of Strasbourg (with 18 Nobel laureates and member of the LERU group of 23 Top European Universities), offers the Executive MBA programme in Belgrade. This is a truly international dual degree programme leading to two prestigious MBA degrees by two universities: The world-class UK University of York, and the leading European University of Strasburg. The programme is designed for today’s business professionals who need to improve their skills and knowledge for career and personal development. Students attend a variety of business subjects and specialisations, taught by professors of the Universities and international practitioners, participate in 3 study trips (York, Strasbourg, Thessaloniki) and build a strong international business network.

Join us Admissions are now open. Programmes commence in October 2021.

For more information: Email: serbia@york.citycollege.eu www.york.citycollege.eu

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OLIVERA GVOZDENOV, MANAGING DIRECTOR, ERNST KLETT PRÄSENZLERNEN OSTEUROPA GMBH – BELGRADE BRANCH; RADOSLAV VESELINOVIĆ, FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT OF THE GALEB GROUP, ŠABAC

Welders Of World-Class Quality Cooperation between Klett EDU and the Galeb Group was initiated in 2019, with professional training in multidisciplinary mechatronics. It was concluded during the course of this cooperation that the situation is very poor in Serbia when it comes to welders and that there are very few of them. Today, two years on, that situation is improving tions is based on getting acquainted with and developing an understanding of the business of our clients. Cooperation with the Galeb Group is always inspiring and creates new opportunities, thanks among other things to the knowhow, wealth of experience and incredible energy of Mr Veselinović, which

art equipment and professional guidance through the learning process. Serving as a starting point for development was the way welding is taught in Germany and the Netherlands, through an applicable and active process, and we were helped significantly in this thanks to the experience of

The REL and MIG/MAG welding programme encompasses a theoretical part of the training, lasting 80 hours, and a practical part of 200 hours

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e together concluded that, with the knowhow of the staff of Klett EDU and Galeb’s decades of practical experience in welding and high-quality instructors, we could do something that has never previously been seen in this area. And it was a complete success, stress Olivera Gvozdenov and Radoslav Veselinović in this interview for CorD Magazine.

The Klett EDU training programme for welding is the only programme of its kind in this region. How did everything begin?

OG: One of the basic principles of our opera-

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motivate you to constantly look ahead and open new chapters. One of the topics we opened was the welding programme, which was set up from the outset through partnership relations.

Galeb’s many decades of experience in the field of welding and our mutual readiness to engage people with top practical and educational experience resulted in the new REL and MIG/MAG welding programme. The programme is conceived in such a way that it enables participants to acquire comprehensive knowhow and skills, thanks to the expertise and dedication of the entire team.

The REL, MIG/MAG welding programme represents an opportunity, at the training centre in Ub, to combine theoretical and practical work with the use of state-of-the-

our company, which has its head office in Stuttgart and is a leader in education across Europe. The programme encompasses a theoretical part of the training, lasting 80 hours, and a practical part of 200 hours. Our lecturers and instructors are experts and are highly motivated, because they have the opportunity to work with students who want to gain new knowledge in the highest quality and most applicable way.

How is the programme conceived? Are theoretical and practical training organised at the Galeb Klett EDU Training Centre for Welding in Ub? Is the programme accredited?

OG:The welding programme, which was devised by the expert team of both companies,

focuses on the applicability of knowhow and skills. After completing the 280-hour “Galeb-Klett EDU” welding programme, trainees fully master the REL and MIG/MAG welding procedures and are ready to engage in the work of companies immediately. It is precisely this fact that distinguishes us and sets us apart on the market. The training centre in Ub, with 16 units for each individual trainee, is a genuine example of what an ideal training space in the area of welding should look like. The protection of trainees is always a priority, which is why we use equipment

Wacker Neuson, Via Ocel and WKG, but we are certain that there will be ever more of them in the future, so we will use this opportunity to invite all interested parties to contact us.

How did you bring the decision to open the training centre for welding in Ub together with the Klett EDU school? How was it conceived?

RV: The cooperation with the Klett EDU school began in 2019, when we sent fifteen employees to complete a high-quality programme for mechatronics, and everything subsequently had

The training centre in Ub, with 16 units for each individual trainee, is a genuine example of how an ideal space for training welders should look from renowned brands like Lorch, Stayer, Plymovent and Esab.

A comparative advantage of the “Galeb-Klett EDU” welding programme is in the period of six hours that each trainee spends practising procedures on a daily basis. Welders trained in such a way won’t only be ready to work, but will also represent a valuable asset for the employer who has invested in their practical education. The Klett EDU welding programme is accredited by the Accreditation Agency, because it is important for both trainees and companies to receive a certificate upon the completion of training.

Who are your trainees and who are your clients? Are they domestic or foreign companies?

OG: The “Galeb-Klett EDU” welding programme aims to educate trainees and create value in Serbia. The very fact that the welding profession has a shortfall of personnel – not only in our country, but also across Europe – testifies to how much companies in Serbia are confronted by insufficiently trained and available staff. Our clients are both domestic and foreign companies whose current and future workers are trained by us to become welders, while they also apply for other “Klett EDU” professional training programmes. We adjust models of cooperation with companies depending on whether trainees are already employed by them or not. At this moment, trust has been placed in us by the companies

its own flown. We recognised the possibilities and potential to deepen our cooperation and here are the results...

The demo centre is not only equipped with the most modern teaching resources for theoretical training, but also with the most modern welding equipment for the practical part of schooling.The entire school is equipped with Lorch devices and a welding robot, and trainees use protective equipment of the highest level during their schooling.

Do the staff you train for the occupation that is in the shortest supply in Europe satisfy the EU’s strict standards?

RV: When you combine the knowhow and experience of the partners in this programme, you get staff who are trained excellently according to the latest standards. Galeb, as a company that has existed for half a century, always strives for the highest standards, so the Welding School is also conceived in such a way that it satisfies the EU’s criteria, which are very strict. Galeb’s welders have been working for the European market for almost two decades. That is why I note that it is always important to strive for the highest and that is the only way we can achieve success. I also told that to the school’s trainees.

Together with our partners, we have provided all the conditions for them to acquire the kind of knowhow that few others in Serbia would provide them with. And everything else is up to them. They have taken this message

seriously for now, and are working hard to improve themselves.

Are your participants fully trained for different types of welding upon the conclusion of the programme?

RV: Welders will have detailed knowhow of welding processes, safety procedures, materials and, most importantly, welding skills.

The programme encompasses training for REL, MIG and MAG types of welding. Thanks to the practical part of the programme, they are trained for production. They take a test with us at the end of their schooling, after which they are ready to start working. From the first generation, which served as a kind of test of the school itself, all those who completed the course successfully gained employment at Galeb. I expect from other employers to do the same when personnel educated at the Klett EDU and Galeb welding school appear. More and more companies from Serbia are working for foreign markets and these need high-quality welding staff.

This is also proved to us by great interest that exists in this school.

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EDUCATION NEWS

Children Yearn For School From 26th January 2020, when China closed all educational institutions, until 27th March, almost 90 per cent of educational institutions worldwide were shutdown. Classes shifted to the virtual world, but - believe it or not - almost no one was happy about that.

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fter a full year, which is how long has passed since the start of the pandemic and the shift to online teaching, neither pupils, nor their parents, nor even teachers and the educational authorities, are able to perceive the quality of current schooling, and it is even harder for them to evaluate the level of knowledge with which another school year is ending. Everyone agrees that there are many problems, while everyone also agree that a lot of work has been done, the best that could have been, but we have yet to face the results, or the gaping holes in education.

Until then, we will enrol another generation of first-year pupils, a new generation of highschool pupils and an army of new freshmen.

We wish them luck. They will need a lot of it.

HILDREN NEED KNOWHOW THAT C ENABLES THEIR SWIFT EMPLOYMENT

Gabrijela Grujić Ph.D., Assistant Minister for Dual and Entrepreneurial Education at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, recently discussed the improvement of the enrolment plan for dual educational profiles for the next school year at a meeting with the principals of secondary vocational schools of the Rasina and Raška administrative districts.

She stressed that the Ministry is obliged to create profiles in accordance with the needs of the economy, and to consider what young people will need in the future.

On the territory of Rasina District, classes are implemented in nine vocational schools in six municipalities, where work will be conducted

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on the verification of a new profile – forensics technician – at the initiative of the Chemical-Technological School.

On the territory of the Raška District, classes are implemented in 14 vocational schools in five municipalities, with 11careas of work represented. The enrolment policy is crucial for the City of Kraljevo due to the reduction of unemployment levels, which is only possible if schooling trains future personnel that are in demand and can satisfy the needs of companies with their knowhow and skills.

CIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL S DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY ADOPTED Early February saw the Government of Serbia adopt the Strategy of Scientific and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia for the period from 2021 to 2025, entitled “The Power of Knowledge”. First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Science and Technological Development Branko Ružić said that this Strategy recognises knowhow and science as the foundations of future economic progress and the development of education.

“The strategy of scientific and technological development enables the continuation of reforms launched in this area and brings measures that will provide the conditions necessary for the dynamic development of science, research and innovation,” said Minister Ružić.

This Strategy aims to speed up the development of Serbia, as well as its integration into the European research area, through the improvement of the scientific-technological and innovation system. The additional strengthening of scientific research institutions and investment in infrastructure are envisaged, while the Strategy also envisages greater investment in individuals to ensure that leading researchers are recognisable at the global level.

TATE MATURITY DIPLOMA POSTPONED S FOR AT LEAST A YEAR

“The State maturity diploma almost certainly won’t be introduced in 2022, due to the circumstances in which our society has found itself under the influence of the Coronavirus, but also due to the necessary triage,” said First Deputy PM and Minister of Education, Science and Technological Development Branko Ružić, though he did not specify a new date for its introduction.

He added that a working group has been formed to monitor the preparation of each of the phases of the state maturity diploma and that the right time to introduce it to the education system will be announced soon, and that higher education institutions should also be included in this process.

According to plans published previously, high school pupils should take a general maturity diploma exam, pupils of secondary vocational schools should take a vocational maturity exam, and pupils of art schools should take an art maturity exam. The general maturity diploma exam includes tests in Serbian grammar, mathematics and a third area from the list of general education subjects - foreign language (English, Italian, German, Russian, French, Spanish), history, geography, biology, chemistry and physics. University faculties then determine lists of subjects that they will score for enrolment, with pupils choosing which subject to take as an elective on the basis of the college they want to attend.

ARENTS AND SOME PUPILS STILL P PROTESTING DUE TO ONLINE CLASSES Judging by the claims of parents and teachers, but also the actions of pupils, online teaching carries lots of problems, primarily due to the fact that it has lasted too long and an approximate deadline for returning to school desks remains completely unknown. Parents, particularly those who work from home and have more than one child, have a problem organising their life and

work to be able to monitor teaching and learning, while they are worried about the lack of socialisation and interaction that every child requires, but also the fact that children don’t approach remote learning with sufficient seriousness.

On the other side, representatives of the Association of Teachers’ Unions of Serbia (USPRS) say that everything would be easier and better if the digitisation of schools, which was promised in 2016, had been implemented.

Parents and teachers were forced to cater for fast Internet connections, to buy new computers or laptops, because not all children and both parents can follow classes and work on a single computer... Online teaching has proven to be great challenge for many families who aren’t in an enviable financial situation, for children and teachers from small towns, remote and poor environments, where internet connections are very slow or even non-existent, which teachers believe will be reflected on the level of knowledge with which children will enter the next grades.

Tuition fees have been reduced for doctoral studies at the Faculty of Economics, for studies at the Faculty of Security, but also at the Faculty of Mathematics, where they say that the cost of basic academic studies has been reduced by 19,000 dinars. Tuition fees have only increased (by 50 euros) for foreign students in master’s academic studies at the Faculty of Organisational Sciences.

OW TO IMPROVE YOUTH EMPLOYABILITY H AND STRENGTHEN COMPANIES’ COMPETITIVENESS The Regional Challenge Fund organised a national conference for Serbia, via the Zoom platform, which saw the presenting of the possibilities and advantages of the Fund, which is the first financial mechanism of its kind aimed at improving the employability of young people and strengthening the competitiveness of companies in the Western Balkans.

This conference, which was dedicated to presenting the first call for submitting Expressions of interest, brought together representatives of international organisations and initiatives, regional organisations, public institutions responsible for vocational education and training, chambers of commerce, institutions that provide vocational education and training, and companies.

EDUCED TUITION FEES AT THREE R BELGRADE FACULTIES!

According to the plan for enrolment in the budget of the faculties of the University of Belgrade for the 2021/22 academic year, 14,924 students should be enrolled in basic academic studies, 9,587 in master’s academic studies and 1,913 in doctoral studies. There will be 9,597 budget places for basic academic studies, 3,983 budget places for master’s academic studies and 634 for doctoral studies.

Participants in the conference included Miloš Blagojević, Assistant Minister for Secondary and Adult Education of the Republic of Serbia, Christian Schilling, First Secretary and Head of Development Cooperation at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Belgrade, Rudiger Hartmann, Director of the Belgrade Office of German Development Bank KfW, Mirjana Kovačević, Head of the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Serbia’s Education Division, Frieder Woehrmann, Team Leader of the Project Management Unit at the Regional Challenge Fund, and Ivan Stojanović, GIZ Serbia Senior Project Manager.

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DR SANDRA TINAJ, GENERAL MANAGER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF DONJA GORICA - UDG

UDG Represents The Future The University of Donja Gorica has, 13 years after the founding of its first faculties, reached a number of 3,500 students and around 40 programmes, as well as strategic partnerships with the world's most successful universities Did they succeed in that because they made quality a priority from the very beginning?

- The University of Donja Gorica is focused on the transformation of the individual in Montenegro, with the hope that, in the future, it will influence the entire region and Europe as a whole, influencing its innovative and entrepreneurial orientation by building certain moral and ethical values, multicultural tolerance, and creating a responsible citizen of the world.

We can state proudly that, 13 years after the founding of the first faculties, we’ve reached a number of 3,500 students, around

accreditations and one international evaluation, each time receiving positive feedback from international commissions composed of respected professors.

Studies at UDG are not attended en masse, with lecturing conducted through work in small groups and through individual communication. Does that mean that there is almost equal insistence on the acquiring of professional knowledge and the acquiring of skills?

- All activities at the University of Donja Gorica are carried out in accordance with

All UDG activities are carried out in accordance with our equation S = z ∙ i², which expresses an innovative study model

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e are particularly proud to note that our greatest success is the success of our students, so we are especially proud of all of our alumni, who – seven to ten years after graduation – hold respectable positions in the private and public sectors, NGOs, serving in managerial or leadership positions - says UDG General Manager Sandra Tinaj It was almost 15 years ago that the founders of UDG set out in their convinction that they could create a system that would prepare young people successfully for all the challenges posed by the global business environment.

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40 programmes, strategic partnerships with the world’s most successful universities, internationally accredited programmes such as Vatel - International Hospitality and Management, Emos – Official European Statistics, with about 300 professors and associates that we bring together from Montenegro and around the world, around 50 international projects from the H2020 programme, Erasmus, IPA, national and international research and development projects, laboratories equipped with the latest technology, such as 3D Laboratory, the Centre of Excellence for Food Safety, the HPC Competence Centre, laboratories for Information Systems and Technologies and many others. In the relatively short period of UDG’s existence, we have passed two national

our equation S = z ∙ i² (“Professor’s equation”), which expresses an innovative study model.

An innovative study model means that a student’s happiness and ability depend on knowledge, but also on the intensity of life squared. What does this mean precisely? It means that, in addition to the traditional type of learning, students must also go through life conditionally speaking, and that means all those elements through which students are trained and prepared for the challenges that are brought by life, and the profession as part of that life. The intensity of life are all study stays, seminars, training, projects, research, excursions, socialise events, sporting activities etc. This represents cultural capital that is built among young people through the

various aforementioned elements of activity.

Based on these principles and the essence of the model S = z ∙ i² , it can be seen that the emphasis of our studies is on the student’s very being. The student’s being encompasses all of their personal spiritual and character features, system of values, way of thinking and view of the world, coupled with their humanity and emotional intelligence. This teaches them how to acquire as many skills as possible during studies, developing a better sense of responsibility and speed of decision-making, thus acquiring qualities that are important for coping in the global world.

Which of your study programmes attract the greatest interest? What have youngsters recognised as the vocations and skills of the future?

- When it comes to enrolment in the University of Donja Gorica, we have seen a growing trend in the last few years. On the one hand in quantitative terms, when it comes to the number of students, and on the other hand in qualitative terms, when it comes to the success of high school students enrolling in our faculties. Considering that we generally deal with trends in education at the international level, we must state that, similarly to development trends, the greatest interest is in IT and other technical faculties (areas encompassing data science, biotechnology etc.)

If you were to determine UDG’s success on the basis of the success of your graduates, would you have reason to be very satisfied and proud?

- As we have already stated, in addition to all of the successes that we note institutionally, our greatest success is the success of our students. We are sincerely proud of our young people, who achieve excellent results in various competitions, at conferences, as holders of international scholarships, but also subsequently as young and responsible people in working positions. We are proud to point out that today we have alumni students who hold responsible positions in international institutions, as young activists, as founders of companies that employ dozens of employees, innovators, successful young people in academia and research, as well as Ph.D. students at successful universities around the world. In addition to being proud

of their results, we are also proud of our connection with them, as well as their need to support and engage students, their young UDG colleagues, in certain activities.

Few universities in our region have campuses like yours, with amphitheatres for several hundred students, a huge library, state-ofthe-art computers, laboratories and even a gym... And you also boast top lecturers and teaching assistants from all continents...

To what extent has the global pandemic impacted on the organisation of UDG’s work? What is happening when it comes to international student exchanges, guest lecturers from abroad?

- It is indisputable that the pandemic changed all segments of life, and that it has had a direct impact on education, but we will only see the full changes and consequences in a few years.

The University of Donja Gorica has for years used the metaphor of swimming in the river

We have impressive infrastructure at our disposal, an integrated information system and the outsourcing of sports fields located in the vicinity of UDG - The University of Donja Gorica has impressive infrastructure at its disposal, an integrated information system and the outsourcing of sports fields located in the vicinity of UDG. However, we don’t stop there, but rather strive continuously to improve our infrastructure, equipment and laboratories, so that our students have the opportunity to really use modern technologies like our 3D laboratory, supercomputing (High-Performance Computing - HPC), drones etc. Infrastructure is a necessary but insufficient condition, in view of the fact that professors, assistants and associates form the human capital of UDG, which represents this university’s uniqueness, especially the symbiosis of different sciences and research areas in one building and one creative atmosphere.

and pool within the UDG Almanac of Studies, the author of which is the UDG Rector, as a message of the uncertainty that surrounds us and is certainly expected to increase in the future. We proudly point out that UDG, as a team, has done its best to provide students with continuity of education regardless of barriers, to create and then improve the quality and offer of online teaching. We have attempted to organise everything during the winter and summer semester according to a hybrid model, striving – in addition to the virtual segment of teaching – to organise everything possible, while still respecting all issued measures, in the university building and in direct interaction and cooperation with students.

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DR VALENTIN KULETO, PRESIDENT OF LINK GROUP

Premium Schools In Serbia And Beyond innovative trends in education and teacher training. LINK group has forged partnerships with, and received accreditations from, some of the most influential companies, such as Apple, Microsoft, Adobe and Autodesk, as well as institutions like the British Council, Pearson VUE, Chartered Management Institute, Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), the European Council for Business Education (ECBE) and the University of Cambridge, among others.

High quality education is the only road to a better life for us and future generations. This is the motto of LINK group, which is a pioneer in online education

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aradoxically enough, today’s educational institutions employ cohorts of teachers who are unprepared for challenges in online teaching and learning. “We do it differently.

We have set off with the notion to understand our students’ needs,” says Dr Valentin Kuleto, President of LINK group, advocating the company’s mission in educational management.

“With the outbreak of COVID-19, we switched to fully online-moderated lessons in a matter of a day. Our IT architecture supported this transition quite easily, allowing teachers and students to embrace a new normal, not only with digital materials, but also with digital

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mindsets,” continues Dr Kuleto, emphasising the accessibility to learning his company offers.

LINK Educational Alliance gathers 20 educational institutions in 12 locations across the world. In Serbia, Savremena Secondary and Primary School, International School and IT High School lay the foundations for tertiary education institutions, ITS School and Faculty for Contemporary Arts. In the U.S., the newly acquired Allison Academy offers a premium education in Miami. On the other hand, upskilling and reskilling are offered at the ITAcademy, BAcademy and InternetAcademy, while the Institute for Contemporary Education promotes

LINK group has almost 25 years of experience in vocational, secondary and tertiary education. How is your educational system organised and how do you deal with the modern day challenges in this area?

- Having created a modern educational philosophy, we proudly provide dozens of educational programmes and hundreds of online courses globally. Our team is large and comprised of various experts.The programmes are designed and delivered by academics, learning specialists and experienced educators, along with the design and video production support team. From beginning to end, there’s a synced workflow: from those who make sure the educational materials are teachable, through those who make sure they are duly delivered, to those who provide undivided support to our students while ensuring that the educational potential is fully sourced.

Our mission is to help people become more successful. This is where we embark.

We have embedded our mission into every process, decision and approach, accounting for our professional academic service. We strive to make our educational programmes most accessible, our teachers best-versed, our equipment highest-tech and our staff kindest of a kind.

The learning loss caused by the global pandemic has challenged traditional pedagogy and its impact on the learning society. What do you think the remedy should look like?

- It is high time that schools relocated from the industrial age to the 21st century. With Europe heading digital in many ways, we have to adapt our educational philosophy to new demands. This paradigm shift is widely discussed today, yet it can be easily overcome with visionary leadership. We have no time to waste while waiting for this to happen.

This is the very reason why we have built our microcosm, in which we have both the right and the opportunity to change... to change the lives of young people.

Having realised that we have much more to offer globally than locally, we decided to offer our services in the international educational arena, where every trifle matters. Unlike many automated learning systems, particularly those based solely on video clips, we have insisted on the changed role of teachers in scaffolding students - they are now mentors and leaders. Competing under these rules enables us to create high-quality services

based on globally-recognised standards.

With this in view, We’ve also welcomed a new school into our educational alliance - Allison Academy, based in Miami, USA. There are twenty educational institutions that operate under the scope of the LINK Educational Alliance. What educational profiles and levels do you offer to students?

- We respond to the new European initiatives emphasising upskilling and reskilling

We have created schools for a new age, new people and new leaders who step courageously towards professional success and confidently navigate the digital world.

Right now, we offer more than a hundred, and counting, internationally-recognised diplomas and certificates. We incessantly look for new opportunities to ensure the best possible competences. Let me share with you an interesting piece of information.

We have students from around the globe

We strive to make our educational programmes most accessible, our teachers best-versed, our equipment highest-tech and our staff kindest of a kind by offering educational services both horizontally and vertically. Our students can start developing their skills in our primary and secondary schools, then seamlessly integrate upwards to our tertiary educational institutions. Reskilling is available at our academies, which offer diverse professional development programmes and certifications related to IT and business.

at our International School, some of whom are among the best 1% of Cambridge students worldwide. We scaffold them on their academic path and provide a premium education, which prepares them for the future.

We hope to re-plant the same learning and teaching enthusiasm in our new Miami-based school, Allison Academy. www.valentinkuleto.com

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CHARTWELL INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

Chartwell: A World Of Its Own C

hartwell International School, which is situated in a beautiful, quiet, residential area of Belgrade, has spacious, brightly-lit classrooms, with park like gardens and many sports fields. Chartwell has been providing education to kids from the ages of two to 18 in seven spacious premises for more than 20 years, guiding its students in their aspirations to become global citizens by immersing them in a world of multiple languages and cultures, inspiring them to learn through inquiry.

With over 40 different nationalities of students, Chartwell is a world of its own. In a tightknit establishment that celebrates cultural diversity, the unifying factor is its accreditation from Cambridge University, which recognises Chartwell as an international school, and its registration with the Serbian Ministry of Education Academic standards are keenly monitored at Chartwell International School, with class sizes that are small enough, with a ratio of as little as 1 to 3, tailored to suit the academic needs, interests and potential of each child, including additional personalised tuition if needed.

A wide range of subjects is offered throughout the school – from foundation to secondary level, designed to stretch and challenge each individual, providing everyone with the opportunity to discover and examine their own particular interests and talents. Contemporary teaching methods are applied with an interdisciplinary approach to subjects.

Although the Chartwell management team (Owner, Heads of Schools, Coordinators, finance officers etc.) lead the way, the success and heart of the school are the Chartwell teachers. They come from a variety of backgrounds and have various experiences, but what they all have in common is a love of teaching, empathy for their students and a commitment to their education. All are well qualified for the role they play. Encouragement and motivation are keywords in Chartwell’s teaching philosophy.

Lessons are taught in English at Chartwell International School, but a variety of world languages are offered alongside. Cultural diversity is very important at Chartwell. The school traditionally celebrates UN Day, promoting

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Spreading across seven spacious facilities that combine the highest standards of education traditions with the most contemporary top-quality teaching equipment, Chartwell provides a safe and caring environment for all its students

Encouragement and motivation are keywords in Chartwell’s teaching philosophy tolerance and respect. Evenings of poetry and music are organised, at which children recite poems and sing in their mother tongues and the languages taught at the school. British traditions are respected, celebrating Valentine’s Day, Halloween, St. Patrick’s Day, Mother’s Day, Easter and Christmas, while Chartwell is the only school in Belgrade to celebrate Bonfire Night.

Chartwell fosters a strong family atmosphere and is not governed by rules, rather by respect for others and common sense. This is a place where students come for more than just study – Chartwell is a home away from home.

This is what makes the school a unique, tension free environment, where students and teachers chat during breaks, play sports

together, resolve problems and participate together in various projects. Regardless of their many cultural differences, students and teachers respect each other and work closely to achieve the best possible results.

Realising that education encompasses much more than the academic programme, great emphasis is placed on that extracurricular activities that are offered on a daily basis and range from sports to fencing, dance, drama and languages, while Chartwell students are also involved in the life of the community.

“Our goal is to provide our teachers and students with conditions in which each will be able to attain best results. We will continue to optimize class sizes to be able to tailor the curriculum to suit individual student’s needs.

Likewise, we have implemented the latest air purification technologies in our new buildings, using HEPA filters and UV lights, which provide fresh air for better efficiency and concentration of our students and staff. In addition, our own catering service provides healthy meals for our students and staff.

ALEKSANDAR IGNJATOVIĆ, EXECUTIVE PRINCIPAL, CHARTWELL INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

Happy Students Are The Best Reference

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ncouragement and motivation are keywords in the teaching philosophy at Chartwell. When they leave the “Chartwell world”, students are equipped to meet the challenges they will face in a rapidly globalising and competitive world Cambridge University and the Serbian Ministry of Education have accredited Chartwell as an international school and examination centre.

Does this mean that your teaching curriculum is based on the British national curriculum?

- The school’s programme is the Cambridge International Education Programme, based on the British National curriculum, the keywords of which are the balance between skills and knowledge, creativity, community engagement and environmental awareness. All classes are taught in English, which is the official language of the school. In order to enhance the academic process, in accordance with the British National Curriculum and best practices of other global curricula, Chartwell offers extra-curricular activities to provide and all-encompassing education. When our students leave Chartwell, they do so with excellent academic rankings and qualifications that are recognised and valued by prestigious Universities worldwide.

Likewise, Chartwell International School is also a member of COBIS and ECIS. Is the nurturing of specificity and the respecting of individuality the future of education?

- Each student is a unique individual, different in cognitive and affective development, social maturity, ability, motivation, aspiration, learning styles, needs, interests and potential. The fu-

ture of education lies in the realisation of this fact and the fact that education encompasses much more than the academic programme. Although schools tend to group students according to age, class sizes should be optimised so that the academic programme can be tailored to suit the needs of every student, thus ensuring that each and every one of them is challenged just enough to develop in accordance with their respective abilities. An emphasis should also be placed on extracurricular activities, which should be offered on a daily basis and should range from sports to languages, drama and more. Students should be involved in the life of the local community through humanitarian work and visits to exhibitions, theatres etc.

The essential task of a school should be to teach the child to learn, to seek independently and find the knowledge and skills they need in all of life’s situations. To do this, the child must

develop a love of learning and an enthusiasm for enquiry that spills over from school into all aspects of life.

The Knowledge Review magazine has ranked you among the 10 best international schools in Central Europe. Is this the best reference for parents who are considering where to enrol their child?

- Although it is an excellent reference that we are extremely proud of, and it can certainly assist parents in their decision when it comes to choosing the right school for their children, there is a much more important reference. That is the smiles on our students’ faces when they come to school in the morning and leave in the afternoon. Happy children, children who feel loved, cared for and secure, are children who can develop academically, and this is what Chartwell students are.

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MILOŠ LONČAR, CLIENT SOLUTIONS LEAD FOR SEE, DELL TECHNOLOGIES

IT Sector Can Continue Growing

Dell technologies believes in the value of people. The company's strategy is designed to help it attract the world's greatest talents and the goal is to ensure that Dell is a compelling destination where employees feel valued, engaged and inspired to develop

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erbia is lagging behind in terms of modernising devices for education and we still don’t see this trend, but we believe it will come. I hope this will change soon, as a technology-educated workforce is very much needed for us to remain competitive, and not only in the IT market - says Dell Technologies’ Miloš Lončar

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Interest in remote working and learning has grown over the past year, resulting in companies and individuals striving to make up for the shortfalls in digitisation and connectivity. Do we have the potential for that?

- To answer this it is first necessary to understand what is meant by remote working or

teaching. We know the benefits, but what about the challenges? What we are seeing worldwide is that an understanding of remote working boils down to buying any device and giving it to an employee to work from home. At the beginning of this unprecedented situation, this was an emergency measure that was necessary to cope with the situation. But what came out of this is that, due to the prolonged situation, it didn’t turn out to be suitable. Challenges in collaboration, business processes, logistics etc. started to emerge and impact on productivity.

Questions are also being raised about the status of remote workers, with a need to introduce new government regulations to cover and organise this area.

With regard to education, we saw the swift response of the Government and the implementation of teaching material via television broadcasts, as the first emergency measure. As was the case in companies, they also discovered additional challenges associated with this. Among them are how to ensure attendance, how to explain materials to pupils if they don’t understand during viewings of pre-recorded presentations; how can a teacher reach them and how can they gauge their acquiring of knowledge? All of this was pretty simple when it was done in classrooms, face-to-face with teachers who can easily track their classes and adjust as required. As I also learned from my teachers, every solution brings new challenges to overcome. However, to get back to your question, yes, we have potential, in a reasonable time frame, with help of technology, to make a flexible system that can give us a possibility to be ready to discover new challenges on the remote working/ teaching approach. Technology will empower us to make easy adjustments when and where needed, without impacting negatively on our core business or purpose.

There have been insufficient investments in equipping schools with computers for a long time, which proved to be a special problem during the period of the pandemic and online teaching. What is the situation like at present?

- Digital classrooms are trending around the world and lots of the surrounding countries in our region are investing in the digital transformation of education. The pandemic has just sped this up to the maximum. Around the world at this moment we are witnessing unbelievable demand for devices and IT equipment intended for education, and here we are talking in the millions. Serbia is lagging behind in the modernising of devices for education and we still don’t see this trend, but we believe it will come. I hope this will change soon, as a technology-educated workforce is very much needed for us to remain competitive, and not only in the IT market.

Does the IT sector demand lifelong learning and training to a greater extent than any other sector?

- It does. In order for someone to deal successfully and actively with information technologies, it is necessary for them to constantly upgrade their knowledge and improve their skills. IT is itself evolving at an incredible rate. By choosing this kind of vocation, we have chosen a path that demands constant learning. This education develops in various directions, considering that IT is an integral part of every branch of industry. In order for us to be able to propose adequate solutions and respond to the requirements of customer, we must understand the way particular industries operate...

The beauty of IT is actually in constantly upgrading and improving knowhow, because, as the saying goes, a man learns as long as he lives.

The IT sector is among the largest exporters in Serbia, while it is growing at an annual rate exceeding 20 per cent. Are we educating enough IT professionals?

- The IT sector is experiencing a major boom in Serbia and looks like it can continue to grow with even bigger numbers. Yes, I definitely see potential here. I’m happy to hear that every year there is an increase in interest in applying for IT departments. We already see a shortfall that could become an obstacle to growth in this field in the coming years. This should be done in a way that increases the quality of education. I think the implementation of dual education that the government is conducting represents a good way to enable students to get much needed hands-on experience that will help them in their future careers.

The average salary in the IT sector is almost three times as high as it is in other sectors of the economy. Is that one of the motivating factors prompting ever more young people to express an interest in studying for various IT professions?

About 1,500 newly qualified IT workers appear on the Serbian market every year, while it is estimated that we need at least five times as many as that. Is their level of knowhow and competencies sufficiently high?

- Dell technologies believes in the value of people. Our strategy is designed to help us attract the world’s greatest talents and the goal is to ensure that Dell is a compelling destination where employees feel valued, engaged and inspired to develop. Diversity and inclusion are important for us when it comes

The beauty of IT is actually in constantly upgrading and improving knowhow, because, as the saying goes, a man learns as long as he lives to building a future workforce that champions racial equity, values different backgrounds and celebrates unique perspectives. While we always look for experienced professionals, we make sure that we give a chance to new graduates through our graduate programme.

This programme allows new graduates without any experience to apply for work at Dell and gain much needed experience and continue their personal development. With this we are making a positive social impact on the world and empowering the workforce. Unfortunately, we don’t have a big presence in Serbia with regard to our facilities, but we do have that in the region.

As Dell is remote-work friendly, I believe that a greater percentage of Serbian graduates have quality knowhow and can join the Dell family, where we can help them gain experience.

- The level of earnings certainly has an impact on young people when it comes to choosing the area in which they want to advance and forge their careers. Serbia also has a very large base of young people who love this profession, and the most qualified workers are usually hiding among them. When the IT sector was in its infancy in Serbia, they were the ones who were most responsible for its development and the arrival of foreign companies. One worrying current trend is the major outflow of skilled labour from Serbia, which can represent a great threat to the development of this industry. Alongside measures applied to spur the development of this industry, it would be good to provide incentives that enable the retaining of the existing workforce.

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“THE BEAUTIFUL THING ABOUT LEARNING IS THAT NO ONE CAN TAKE IT AWAY FROM YOU” ~ B. B. KING

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