The capacities of the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Montenegro, after 17 years, will be expanded from 800 square meters to 5.000, which will provide students with better conditions for education and teaching, announced the PR Center.
This was announced at the laying of the foundation stone for the reconstruction and extension of the Faculty of Architecture, for which the Government of Montenegro allocated funds of around 3.5 million euros.
Rector of the University of Montenegro prof. Vladimir Božović, Ph.D., said that "the laying of the foundation stone for the reconstruction of the Faculty of Architecture was long awaited, with attention, love, and sometimes trepidation".
"The space around us is an image of ourselves. By building this faculty, we are also building ourselves, beautifying the space around us, that's how we look and present ourselves to the world," Božović said.
He recalled that he had previously emphasized that the University of Montenegro would become a large construction site, adding that "this act undoubtedly proves that.
"Behind you is the building of the technical faculty, built 50 years ago. It served its purpose. It is the hub of the scientific and educational life of the University of Montenegro. We believe that someone should start an initiative to finally restore that building to its former glory. We are almost certain that it will to be this Government", said Božović.
As he added, the leadership of the University of Montenegro has that task.
"Next year, we celebrate 50 years since the founding of the University of Montenegro. We believe that this is the moment when we should start another one of the biggest projects related to infrastructural interventions at the University", said Božović.
Dean of the Faculty of Architecture, prof. PhD Svetlana Perović said that although the design concept of the Faculty of Architecture building has been verified for a long time, under the leadership of Aleksandar Keković, the founder of architecture studies in Montenegro, it has not been realized until today.
"From the concept to the actual space is often a long way, and sometimes, it seems, nowhere longer than in Montenegro, even when it has long been made official as a priority. Can there be a more priority thing than the realization of an unfinished building, a building without a roof and without an entrance? A faculty without an amphitheater, living in semi-improvised rooms about learning about space," said Perović.
As she stated, it sounds paradoxical that at the university they develop a culture of architectural education, create intellectual capital for planning and designing space, without having their own house.
“But it happens. As much as we were aware of the limitations, the emotion towards this unfinished house was present and gave us the strength and faith to do the best we could - to produce hundreds of graduate students, aware that this house is neither nor will it be the most beautiful and the best, but is ours and without it we cannot grow and develop", said the dean of the faculty.
Minister of Education Miomir Vojinović said that Montenegro is a country where education is one of its priorities.
"We want a society based on knowledge, which will provide quality life to its citizens. In this context, the Government of Montenegro allocated significant funds for the reconstruction and extension of the Faculty of Architecture in the amount of around 3,5 million euros," stated Vojinović.
According to him, higher education is the backbone of any society, stating that its quality directly affects the quality of human resources in the country.
"Higher education, in itself, is a very complex system. An area that has been continuously exposed to changes and reforms in recent decades, because sciences and techniques are developing proportionately and expects the education system to offer different content, ways of working and thereby train students who will have the competencies to live and work in such a changing environment," he said. Vojinovic.
The President of the Government of Montenegro Dr. Dritan Abazović pointed out that he is sure that it is the cornerstone for the reconstruction of the Faculty of Architecture, the cornerstone for knowledge and science in Montenegro.
"Knowledge and people are the greatest capital any country has. I am sure that the students of the Faculty of Architecture in the new building will have better ideas for the development of Montenegro," said Abazović.
He also said that he believes that our country will undergo a major transformation in the coming period when it comes to the relationship with space.
"I appeal on behalf of the Government to better preserve space, build energy-efficient buildings, buildings of public importance that will give a special note to the preservation of Montenegro and history and this country as it deserves to be," said Abazović.
He pointed out that Montenegro is unique in every possible sense and that its architecture should speak about it.
"I hope that today will be only a symbolic beginning of the construction of Montenegro as we all see it in the future - a developed, modern state that summarizes the influence of the West and the East, but also its main component, which is that it wants to be branded as an ecological destination, as a green country, as an eco-friendly country and a country that will be enjoyed by Montenegrin citizens and visitors", concluded Abazović.
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