The goals set by the Student Parliament during the previous year have been achieved to the greatest extent possible.

The goals set by the Student Parliament of the University of Montenegro (SPUCG) during the previous year were achieved to the greatest extent possible, with tectonic changes implemented in the higher education system and the correction of long-standing injustices, which was clearly recognized by the students.

This was announced at the press conference "Achievements, results and plans for further work", organized by SPUCG on the occasion of the presentation of the annual report on the activities carried out for the past year.

The President of the Student Parliament, Jakov Vukčević, pointed out that during the past year they have carried out a series of activities as the umbrella student representative body, stating that some of them are traditional, "but improved to the highest possible level that has not been seen before."

"However, we also have new activities and projects, serious in character, topic and number, and in the best interest of students. The results show that the goals have been fulfilled to the maximum or fulfilled or put into operation to the point and degree of fulfillment of which we are extremely proud. For those goals that are in the process of being fulfilled, we expect them to be fulfilled by the end of this or the beginning of the next convocation," Vukčević emphasized.

According to him, the work of SPUCG has always been transparent, stating that the results have been such that they have achieved a series of significant victories for students.

"We can say that we have achieved tectonic changes in the higher education system, that long-standing injustices have been eliminated and that students recognize this. The very law we have been waiting for has been adopted and entered into force, with the solutions we have been fighting for – in the interest of students. As a result of our actions and work, lobbying, institutional and non-institutional forms of action, a series of meetings, petitions, preparation of other forms of action – we have received a new umbrella law in the field of higher education that contains numerous new solutions, for which we have actively advocated," said Vukčević.

He pointed out that these new solutions envisage a flexible study model in the format 3+1+1+3, 3+2+3 or 4+1+1, with additional, integrated studies - depending on which specific model the higher education institution opts for.

"We believe this is the most important innovation brought by the new Law - but its value would have been reduced if our proposal regarding the so-called Transitional Solution for current students had not been accepted at the very end," said Vukčević.

He said that within the Agency for Control and Quality Assurance of Higher Education, the authority to determine the methodology based on which it classifies higher education institutions has been retained.

"The right of higher education institutions to establish mediation centers for performing student affairs has been standardized. The right to perform student affairs has been standardized as one of the rights from the student standard. The first step towards legally regulating the field of student work in Montenegro has been taken," said Vukčević.

He explained that practical teaching has been redefined and set up differently than before, stating that it amounts to at least 30 ECTS per undergraduate study program, and is implemented in a real work environment or in the institution's premises, in accordance with the study program, and that it must be organized in a way that is accessible to LSI (persons with disabilities) and in accordance with their individual needs.

He also pointed out the possibility that when enrolling in the next academic year, a student can apply, take and pass up to 10 ECTS more than the 60 ECTS for courses from previous academic years, and pay a fee determined by the institution's statute.

"Also, students from the RE population, along with students with disabilities, are exempt from paying tuition fees. Additionally, at our initiative, upon the entry into force of the new Law on Higher Education, a new Rulebook on the criteria, manner, conditions and amount of fees for exercising the right to a student loan and scholarship was adopted, which more precisely regulates the exemption from the obligation to repay a student loan for students of postgraduate master's and integrated studies," said Vukčević.

Speaking about the election of student trustees and members of the SPUCG Assembly, Vukčević said that the University Election Commission (UIK) has, since the date of the announcement of the elections in all three election cycles individually, so far, undertaken all election activities prescribed by the SPUCG Statute and the Rulebook on the organization of elections for SPUCG members, presidents and members of student councils at university units, which included: collecting and then accepting/rejecting candidacies, accepting, and determining the date of holding and final results of the elections. The elections were held at all 19 university units of the University of Montenegro.

"This means that the student trustees and new members of the SPUCG Assembly for the 2026-2028 mandate period have been elected. They will soon have a constitutive session. We sincerely wish them to continue where we left off. We want to encourage them to make their voices heard even more and to make more efforts to fulfill numerous new initiatives so that the voices of students can be heard even more and their position in Montenegrin society can be even better," said Vukčević.

The Secretary General of the Student Parliament, Vedran Vujisić, recalled that one of the key initiatives presented at the first press conference of this convocation was the adoption of the Law on the Performance of Student Affairs.

"We have been advocating for this initiative for years, and it has been the subject of numerous panel discussions, roundtables, and meetings with top state officials. This initiative envisages the establishment of a student service - a mechanism that would enable students to perform temporary and occasional jobs as a special category of work engagement. In this way, students would have the opportunity to gain their first work experience, develop professional skills, and become directly acquainted with the demands of the labor market, with adequate financial compensation and a flexible legal framework adapted to their academic obligations," said Vujisić.

He pointed out that in April 2026, a multi-sectoral Working Group was formed to draft the Law on Student Affairs, in whose work representatives of the Student Parliament participate.

"We have submitted to the working group the draft law that we created, which envisages an innovative model - the existence of a Fund for the Improvement of the System of Performing Student Affairs, as a special budget fund, whose funds would, among other things, be provided from a special contribution from employers who employ foreign citizens," said Vujisić.

He explained that an employer who employs a foreign citizen would be obliged to pay a special contribution to the Fund for each foreign citizen during the monthly payment of wages in the amount of 10% of the employee's net salary.

"The aforementioned practice of paying fees for employing foreigners is in accordance with European Union directives, and such a solution also existed in the Montenegrin legal system. Countries that apply similar solutions, and are EU member states, are France and the Netherlands, and Great Britain also has a similar solution," Vujisić said.

He said that the funds from the aforementioned fund would be used to pay subsidies to employers who hire students in accordance with this law (20% of the total amount of compensation for performing student work) and compensation to student services - intermediaries.

"This model aims to further open up the labor market, encourage employers to hire domestic workers through the establishment of a cash fund, and create an environment in which students feel recognized, respected, and desirable as an important segment of the social and economic development of Montenegro. Our goal is to encourage employers to hire students through registered intermediaries - thereby contributing to the development of a sustainable and fair student employment system," said Vujisić.

Speaking about the project "Student Voice in Parliament", which was approved by the European Commission within the EU program "Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values", Vujisić said that it represents an important step forward in strengthening the participation of youth in public life, connecting Montenegrin students with parliament, giving them space to clearly and publicly express their views and propose policies for youth.

"Also, within the DTRD-ECA project, it is planned to establish student clubs for 5 thematic areas: culture and art, volunteerism, sports and health, mental health, business and innovation. The focus is on encouraging and empowering students from different fields to participate in extracurricular activities, and for this extracurricular engagement to later be appropriately converted into ECTS credits according to the model: experience + knowledge = ECTS credits," said Vujisić.

He pointed out that their goal is to motivate students as much as possible to participate in extracurricular activities.

"This is our way of "fighting" against the low passivity of students, which we are still witnessing today, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. We want students to re-develop the habit of continuous attendance and engagement at the faculty, but also on the university campus - and through this project, we will manage to accelerate everything we have achieved," said Vujisić.

Student Ombudsman Ivana Popović said that the annual report on the work of the Student Parliament of the University of Montenegro for 2025 presents the most important activities of the SPUCG, as well as the work of 19 student councils and over 30 student organizations that operate with their support on over 160 pages.

"We believe that a report like this best shows how students can be drivers of positive change when they have the space, support, and opportunity to turn their ideas into concrete activities," said Popović.

According to her, it is especially important to them that the Student Parliament, through its activities, does not only talk about student issues, but also raises topics that concern the entire society. The most important activities mentioned include: scholarships for the best students and the "Glasnik studenata UCG", scholarships "Student Solidarity", the seasonal employment fair "Summer job 2025", the Tree of Knowledge, large student forums, the youth show "Još smo mi zeleni" in co-production, as well as student picnics in cooperation with partner organizations.

"It was precisely from this need that the co-production of the podcast show "We Are Still Green", which is broadcast on RTCG, was born. Through this show, we addressed problems that are very present among young people today, but which are often not talked about enough - such as gambling, loan sharking, peer violence, youth crime, mental health, spatial planning and other social challenges. Our goal was not only to point out problems, but also to open a space for conversation, exchange of opinions and search for solutions," said Popović.

She emphasized that through scholarships for the best students, they continue to affirm academic excellence and support young researchers from the University of Montenegro.

"We award scholarships to the authors of the best master's theses at university units, with the aim of further promoting their efforts, work and results. So far, we have awarded a total of 52 scholarships to the best students, with which we want to send a clear message that knowledge, dedication and quality academic work are recognized and appreciated. In addition, three issues of the scientific and professional journal "Glasnik studenata Univerziteta Crne Gore" have been published, which today represents a serious space for the promotion of student scientific and research work," said Popović.

She said that they are particularly proud of the "Student Solidarity" program, which was launched with the idea of ​​supporting students who are in a difficult financial situation, but who nevertheless achieve good results and actively participate in social life.

"Through this program, we wanted to show that the student community should be based on mutual support, understanding and solidarity. We especially value students who, in addition to their academic obligations, participate in humanitarian activities, sports, civic activism and other socially beneficial initiatives," said Popović, stating that so far 90 students have been awarded scholarships through the project, and a new generation of scholarship recipients will soon sign contracts.

He believes that the "Summer Job 2025" project has once again shown how important it is for young people to have the opportunity for their first work experience and direct contact with employers.

"The fair was held in Podgorica and Kotor, and brought together more than 100 employers who offered over 2.000 seasonal jobs in the field of tourism, hospitality and related activities. We are particularly pleased with the great interest of young people, but also the fact that the event was supported by numerous employers from all over Montenegro," said Popović.

She pointed out that one of the most important segments of the project was providing organized transportation for more than 2.100 high school graduates from 22 Montenegrin municipalities, as well as transporting high school graduates from Podgorica to the event venue.

"During this year, we also launched a new project - KOMPASS, or the Conference of Youth Partnership, Activism and Student Cooperation. The conference was implemented in cooperation with the University of Montenegro and brought together around 200 students from different fields and cities," said Popović.

She pointed out that through workshops, panel discussions, and teamwork, students had the opportunity to discuss the problems of the student population, exchange experiences, and propose concrete solutions for improving student life.

"As an organization that wants to respond to current social developments and problems faced by young people, during 2025 we organized a series of large student forums, round tables and panel discussions. The topics of the forums related to the mental health of young people, peer violence, crime, penal policy and other issues that are particularly important for the student and wider social community," said Popović.

She pointed out that, through the prism of the idea of ​​a "green university", and with the aim of contributing to the development and protection of the environment, SPUCG, in cooperation with the University of Montenegro and the Environmental Protection Agency, has begun the implementation of the Tree of Knowledge project.

The aim of the project is to raise awareness among future academic citizens about the importance of environmental protection in the world's first ecological state. The main idea of ​​the project is that all students who graduate from one of the study cycles at the University of Montenegro plant a tree from the seedling fund provided by the Environmental Protection Agency. Permanently available photographs in the gallery of the online platform Tree of Knowledge (www.stabloznanja.ucg.ac.me) as well as a display of the locations of planted seedlings contribute to establishing a lasting connection with their university, but also with the environment," said Popović.

She reminded that so far, three planting campaigns have been implemented on the University campus, as well as in the new park in Stara Zlatica, and that support in implementing the project during the planting process, as well as in further activities related to plant maintenance, is provided by DOO Zelenilo Podgorica.