The workshop “Improving Regulations for the Accreditation of Study Programs in English and Comparative Experiences in France and Croatia” was held at the Faculty of Economics as part of the Erasmus+ project “Promoting the Internationalization of Higher Education Institutions in Montenegro through Capacity Building for Study Programs in English” (ME-Study in English).
The workshop was opened by Milica Kavedžić, Assistant Director in the Sector for Quality Assurance and Research (ACQAHE). Other speakers included Assoc. Prof. Tamara Backović, PhD, Project Coordinator; Dragana Ćetković, Director General of the Directorate for Higher Education and Student Standards at the Ministry of Education, Science, and Innovation; Acting Director of ACQAHE, Tatjana Ćalasan; representatives of the MONTEB program, Prof. Zdenka Dragašević, PhD, and student Milica Đurović; Dunja Bulajić, Advisor for International Cooperation (ACQAHE); and Giacomo Annese, Quality Assurance and Internationalization Expert from the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA).
Assoc. Prof. Tamara Backović, PhD, presented the key information and activities carried out within the project, emphasizing that the main goal of “ME-Study in English” is to enhance the internationalization of higher education in Montenegro.
One of the most significant achievements, according to Backović, is the implementation of the first English-taught study program (MONTEB) at the Faculty of Economics, University of Montenegro.
MONTEB program student Milica Đurović shared her experience of studying in English and the challenges students face. She highlighted the collaboration with foreign universities as a key advantage of the program, in addition to improving language skills.
Presenting the MONTEB program, Prof. Zdenka Dragašević, PhD, stated that it represents another step toward fulfilling the Faculty of Economics’ mission of expanding and enhancing students’ knowledge and professional skills to better position them in both the domestic and international labor markets.
Dragana Ćetković, Director General of the Directorate for Higher Education and Student Standards, expressed her satisfaction with the project and emphasized the importance of introducing English-taught study programs. She also underlined the Ministry’s goal to increase the number of such programs.
In her presentation, Ćetković explained the rights and study conditions for international students in Montenegro, emphasizing that foreign students have the same rights as Montenegrin citizens.
The role of the Agency for Control and Quality Assurance in Higher Education in the “ME-Study in English” project was presented by Acting Director Tatjana Ćalasan. She outlined the recommendations provided by the Accreditation Commission, which allow the Agency to monitor the implementation of the English-taught program.
Ćalasan also pointed out the challenges of modern times in improving higher education, stressing the need to adapt to new trends to enhance openness and mobility in this field.
Further elaborating on the Agency’s role, Milica Kavedžić emphasized that cooperation between higher education institutions and policymakers is a crucial prerequisite for the successful implementation of such initiatives.
Kavedžić also shared best practices from French and Croatian institutions regarding the development of English-taught programs. Dunja Bulajić, Advisor for International Cooperation, explained the importance of the Certificate for Quality in Internationalization (CeQuInt).
Finally, Giacomo Annese, an expert in quality assurance and internationalization, presented strategies for a successful internationalization program, highlighting Montenegro’s potential in this area.
