The panel discussion "Women in Innovation and Science" at the European House in Bijelo Polje, held on the occasion of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, brought together successful women in the STEM field from northern Montenegro.
This year's winner of the "3. January" award, chemistry teacher at the "Dušan Korać" Elementary School, Radmila Radović, spoke about her professional work and path to success, among others. She emphasized that she feels satisfaction and success when she sees that her students understand her, believe in her, and that through her support they achieve their successes.
"Events like this are extremely important, because girls in science don't have much access and aren't as appreciated, and I'm an example of someone who worked quietly for years, and in the end it was acknowledged and my success was recognized, and my long-term work was appreciated. Even today, I emphasize that, although my work was unobtrusive and out of the spotlight, I was doing a job that I love. It's important for young people to understand that science doesn't require perfection, but persistence, curiosity, and perseverance," Radović emphasized.
Doctor of Biotechnical Sciences Jasmina Balijagić recalled her beginnings in her hometown, when she was not only a woman in science but also a single mother with a one-year-old baby.
"At that time, there were no nurseries in the city and no one to look after my child. And imagine then, a woman 'dared' to engage in science," she said, adding that she was supported at the time by teacher Gordana Knežević, who took her son into the older group and took responsibility for the baby.
That's how, Balijagić said, Knežević became part of the family and her greatest friend.
"Despite all the obstacles, I did not want to give up on science. I want to say that a woman is the pillar of the house, but that if she wants to be in science, she must give twice as much strength, and if she wants something, she will succeed in it," said Balijagić.
Among the panel participants was Majra Kasumović, a second-grade student at the "Miloje Dobrašinović" Gymnasium, who spoke about her love for mathematics, which she has loved since she was a child.
"As a child, I played logic games, did puzzles, and all of that helped me solve logical problems. In the sixth grade, I started competing in mathematics," she said, adding that panels like this are important for raising self-confidence and awareness among young people, especially because the number of girls in science is very low.
The panel also featured two young guests: Marija Kovačević, a seventh-grade student at the "Dušan Korać" Elementary School, who loves to recite, and a student at the Secondary Vocational School, majoring in health technician.
As part of the discussion, two films by successful Bijelo Polje residents Elma Hot Dervić, a researcher at the Medical University of Vienna, and Ivana Jovanović, a computer science specialist, were shown.
Bonus video:
