The Ambassador of France to Montenegro, Anne-Marie Masque, presented the Order of Academic Palms to the Rector of the University of Montenegro, Prof. Dr. Vladimir Božović.
This is a French decoration established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1808, as a recognition of prominent figures for their scientific and professional commitment, or contribution to education, science and culture, in France and around the world.
At the ceremony at the Rectorate of the University of Montenegro, Božović said that he does not see the award as a personal trophy, but as part of a larger story - about connection, knowledge, culture and mutual respect.
"I am addressing you as the rector, but my primary, more deeply rooted role in life, the one that shaped me, is that of a mathematician. In this regard, I know very well what France means in the world of mathematics. France has strongly shaped the very way the modern world thinks about mathematics - as the language of the universe, a tool of thought and the foundation of modern sciences," Božović emphasized, as announced by the University of Montenegro.
According to him, France is more than a country in a cultural sense, "it is an idea."
"A country where school has become a place of emancipation, where the teacher is a symbol of social responsibility, and knowledge is a supreme value. It is a country where the idea of civil society, of commitment, of freedom as a moral category was born and developed," said Božović.
The ties between Montenegro and France, he pointed out, are very strong - from the alliance during the war to the education of generations of Montenegrin students in Paris and throughout France. "On the streets of Paris, which the great Serbian diplomat and poet Jovan Dučić says is the crossroads of life, our artists, Dado Đurić, Uroš Tošković and many others created, leaving a lasting mark on the French and European avant-garde. Their works still speak of a deep mutual recognition and interpenetration. Today, through university cooperation, student exchanges, scientific and cultural projects, that bond continues and strengthens," said Božović.
He concluded that the recognition he received belongs to all colleagues, associates, students, and those who believe that knowledge is the sculptor of the future.
French Ambassador Anne-Marie Maske, who presented the order to the rector, recalled, as announced by the UCG, that Božović's "exceptional career, research works, and impressive scientific work" led to his election to the title of assistant professor in 2010, associate professor in 2015, full professor in 2020, and his appointment as rector of the University in 2021. "Since then, as rector, you have played a decisive role in the development of the University, especially in its international cooperation. You have encouraged partnerships with French institutions, specifically the University of Côte d'Azur and the University of Caen, but also with universities from Grenoble, Montpellier, Tours, and Toulouse," Maske emphasized.
Božović, she said, was fully aware of the challenges, knew how to engage the University of Montenegro and the Science and Technology Park and connect them with the Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Building Center project, led by France, Slovenia and Montenegro.
"This center, through its activities, contributes to the achievement of cooperation between universities, public institutions and the private sector in a key area, paying special attention to French craftsmanship and strengthening relations between France and Montenegro in the region," said Maske.
She presented Božović with a decoration "with which my country recognizes you for your exceptional contribution to strengthening cooperation."
"It honors your engagement in academic research, building and disseminating knowledge in the scientific field, as well as all areas related to cyber topics, within the university program and through the C3BO cyber center," Maske said.
Cooperation between the University of Montenegro and the French Embassy has been developed in previous years, "contributing to the continuous strengthening of bilateral ties in the fields of education, science and culture," say the UCG, adding that they are continuing in that direction, deepening cooperation and nurturing common values.
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