The development of Montenegro in all areas based on the application of information and communication technologies (ICT) is one of the main goals envisaged by the Smart Specialization Strategy (S3).
Enis Kočan, one of the collaborators on the development of S3, claims that this idea is feasible and that in Montenegro there is already an "excellent basis for further growth in the field of ICT".
The vision until 2024, foreseen by the document prepared by the Ministry of Science, is a digital Montenegro with the application of advanced ICT solutions in all branches of the economy and developed IT awareness, which enables access to new and innovative technologies.
According to text S3, one of the key performance indicators would be an increase in the percentage of companies using e-commerce from 24,1 percent (in 2016) to 45 percent in 2024.
"What is encouraging is that in Montenegro there is an excellent basis for further growth in the field of ICT, especially in the areas of software engineering, where there is an increasing number of successful smaller companies, then the development of new generation communication technologies, the development of own solutions for smart technologies agriculture, smart cities and buildings, energy-efficient ICT solutions, machine learning and artificial intelligence, etc., Kočan said.
The associate professor at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering emphasizes that a strategic approach to education in the field of ICT at all levels is of particular importance.
"Starting from elementary school, with a recommendation to increase the number of students in all study programs related to recognized key areas in ICT, because with small investments in human potential in ICT, multiple profits can be achieved". In Montenegro, there are higher education institutions at state and private universities that educate ICT personnel in the field of software engineering.
All four universities (University of Montenegro, University of Donja Gorica, University of the Mediterranean and University of the Adriatic) have faculties for information and communication technologies.
Director of the Directorate for Scientific Research in the Ministry of Science, Darko Petrušić, points out that their capacities for research and innovation are "especially recognized in a multidisciplinary context". "On the other hand, the economic sector is the main initiator of innovative activities in the ICT sector and the main source of talent that is increasingly establishing startup companies. The rapid growth of the Internet and mobile technology has launched ICT-based innovations in other sectors as well," said Petrušić for "Vijesti".
The associate at S3 says that the Digital Transformation program will lead to the reorganization and improvement of business processes in the priority areas of smart specialization and public administration through digital technologies.
Digital transformation should enable the achievement of the most modern technological standards, the development of e-infrastructure and the application of innovative ICT solutions at the state level in certain areas.
For example, in the field of energy and sustainable environment, this refers to the development of the concept of smart cities, in sustainable agriculture to agro-ICT, to sustainable and health tourism, to the digitization of cultural and natural heritage and its connection with tourist services. When it comes to the field of public administration, it refers to several parts - the construction and improvement of digital services in order to increase the efficiency and quality of services provided by public administration, the creation of the digital identity of citizens at the state level, cyber security, open data as a basis for technological entrepreneurship.
The Minister of Science, Sanja Damjanović, noted that Montenegro is the first country outside the European Union to have this important strategic document.
She said that she expects that the implementation of S3 in the medium and long term will give visible results in the transformation of the Montenegrin economy towards a knowledge-based economy and open new opportunities for the development of domestic companies.
Kočan: Technology has completely changed society
It is an indisputable fact that information and communication technologies have completely changed modern society, making life more comfortable and the performance of daily tasks more efficient, according to Kočan.
"The degree of application of ICT directly reflects the degree of development of a society. "Montenegro can boast that in this area, and especially in the segment of communication technologies, it largely follows the current achievements at the world level".
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