FPN students received support from colleagues from the Faculty of Philology

Students of the Faculty of Political Sciences can count on the support of their colleagues in their fight for the survival of all majors at that university unit, said the representative of the higher education students of the Faculty of Philology of the University of Montenegro (UCG), Željko Radulović.

Montenegrin university students are celebrating Students' Day today, in memory of Žarko Marinović, a law student, who was killed in 1936 in Belgrade, during the April strike.

In an interview with "Vijesti", Radulović assessed that Montenegrin students are facing great challenges and that the upcoming reorganization at UCG is one of the biggest at the moment.

Commenting on the request of his colleagues from FPN, who are asking the university authorities to find another way to reorganize the faculty, without it being the termination of certain study programs, he points out that the support of colleagues from Philology, and he believes also from other units of UCG, will not be lacking.

"The FPN students showed strength and determination to defend what their needs are, but also the position that this institution has and should have in all countries. FPN has a special place and importance in all systems of higher education. That's how it should be in our country, so the views of students who have the support of professors and international experts in the field of political science must be respected. Students will always support each other when it comes to their interests and requests," said Radulović.

The university authorities, headed by Rector Radmila Vojvodić, are also planning to change the way of studying, so from 2017 the fourth specialist year will be abolished, and two-year master's studies will be introduced.

Radulović points out that the majority of students support the current system (4+1).

"One should not be guided by the idea that it is easiest to adopt the same study system at all faculties, but the specificities of university units should be respected," he believes.

According to him, the 3+2 model is in line with the practice of most universities in Europe.

"It's good for mobility, but students must have guarantees regarding the possibility that master's studies will be budgetary, and that the regulations will be harmonized with what is planned for the new structure of the program at UCG", said the representative of higher education students.

Radulović adds that reforms are always necessary, especially if they bring improvement, and that students are involved in their planning and implementation both at the faculties and at the level of UCG.

"We will not fight against changes. We point out topics and issues that are important to us and we expect to get a good position from which UCG will start European re-accreditation, and above all guided by the interest of students who should be at the center of the higher education system", he said.

Radulović notes that politics has penetrated into every pore of society, and the student population is no exception, because "in one way or another it has put a large part of the student population into debt."

"But I believe that students have the strength and potential to point out the problems they face, and to fight together for their better position in society. Politics is not really the best way to do that," concluded Radulović.

It is not true that we are silent and apathetic

Asked if he thinks that the student population is apathetic, which is why in the last few days you could hear from UCG that students are "a storm in a glass of water", Radulović believes that "students are not silent".

"Students know how to fight and point out problems, which was demonstrated by the Faculty of Economics and Philosophy in the previous period, where it was clearly seen how strong the students are. Rebellions are not sporadic, but problems are continuously pointed out through the institutions of the system, and there are many and other ways to improve the position of students and show their strength", Radulović assessed.

He invites the authorities to visit the Student Dormitory in Nikšić

Radulović states that there are still no visible developments when it comes to the conditions in student dormitories, especially in Nikšić.

"The space is still cramped and too small to accommodate all students, so they are forced to pay for private accommodation. Also, what is problematic in the dormitories and in general at our faculty is hygiene, which is at a very low level. We have a promise that construction will begin soon of a new home in Nikšić, which we have been waiting for for many years and we finally hope that this will also be resolved, and that the students studying in Nikšić will have the accommodation and food they deserve", he stated.