Scholarships for UMNE Doctoral Studies: a Life-Changing Opportunities
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The University of Montenegro (UMNE) continuously supports young researchers, recognizing their importance for scientific and social progress. Today, when knowledge gains increasing significance and international cooperation has become a necessity, the University provides support to doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers through dedicated programmes. These scholarships offer an opportunity for the most successful among them to move beyond local boundaries, gain valuable international experience, and return with knowledge that contributes to development of our academic community. Through their stays at prestigious European universities and institutes, more than 20 doctoral candidates who have received scholarships over the past two years have had the opportunity to develop their projects in top-tier academic environments, supported by renowned international mentors. In doing so, they have acquired new knowledge, established contacts, and gained experiences that continue to support their further research activities and professional development. In the text below, we share impressions of those who have already participated in the scholarship programme and who speak with enthusiasm about how much this opportunity has meant to them — both professionally and personally.
Experience in Trieste – Professional and Personal Step Forward
Mr. Aldin Kajević, a doctoral candidate and teaching and research associate at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, is one of the scholarship holders who spent a month at the University of Trieste, where he had "an exceptional opportunity to enhance both his technical and personal skills."
The main focus of his work during this period was gaining practical training in the industrial software Altair Flux, an advanced computational tool for the simulation of electromagnetic fields.
"With the expert guidance of my host, Professor Alberto Tesarolo, I successfully created a model of a synchronous turbogenerator, directly contributing to the research I am conducting as part of my doctoral studies, and gained valuable insights into advanced methodologies and a rigorous academic approach," said Kajević.
Beyond academic benefits, his stay in Trieste also brought significant personal experiences. He had the opportunity to become acquainted with Italian culture and traditions, broaden his horizons, and develop a deeper sensitivity to cultural differences.
"Interacting with other international doctoral students, primarily from Pakistan and India, encouraged the exchange of ideas and perspectives, helping me to establish lasting professional contacts with researchers from around the world."
Overall, as he emphasizes, the experience had a positive impact on both his professional and personal growth.
Staying on King’s College London crucial for My Progress in Science and Teaching
Research stay in a prestigious King’s College London, teaching associate on the Faculty of Economics of the University of Montenegro, dr Sunčica Vuković, describes as one of the most important experiences which „enriched her academic perspective and revealed new horizons for professional development“.
As she explains, through intensive cooperation with eminent experts from the Marketing Department (King’s Business School), she got the opportunity to deepen her knowledge and make a network of international contacts.
„Encouraged by innovative approaches in teaching on master program from digital marketing, I have developed a new model of designing and evaluating student papers which integrates responsible utilisation of artificial intelligence as tool for improving creativity as well as analytical thinking.“
According to Vuković, the particular value of this exchange lies in introducing new tools into the teaching process at the Faculty of Economics already in this semester, through the implementation of modern AI tools – Novela and BoodleBox.
"This experience has significantly enhanced my research and teaching competencies, while also inspiring new ideas and opportunities for international collaboration, which I have already begun to apply with enthusiasm within our academic community," Vuković concludes.
Scholarship Program Important Mechanism of Support to Science Excellence
Mr Ilija Knežević, associate in teaching and scholarship beneficiary of the University of Montenegro, in September 2023, stayed in a one month science mobility in the Laboratory for Electric plants and energetic electronics of the Maritime Faculty Kotor and the Maritime Faculty in Split.
During his stay, as he explains, he had the opportunity to carry out a series of experiments using modern laboratory equipment, and the results obtained represent an important contribution to his doctoral dissertation.
“I presented the joint research conducted in Split at the International Conference on Maritime Science – KIMC 2024, which further confirmed the importance of this mobility,” said Knežević.
In addition to the scientific work, he also became acquainted with the opportunities offered by European and international funding programmes for the advancement of research infrastructure during his stay in Split. The knowledge he acquired will be used to strengthen the Laboratory for Marine Electrical Engineering and Electronics at the Faculty of Maritime Studies in Kotor.
“The University of Montenegro’s scholarship programme for young researchers has proven to be an important mechanism for supporting scientific excellence and international cooperation, providing young researchers with the opportunity to develop their ideas within top-quality research environments,” Knežević assessed.
As evidenced by the experiences of the scholarship recipients, through this programme the University of Montenegro not only enhances its scientific excellence, but also increases its visibility on the international stage – encouraging young researchers to connect, collaborate, and grow within a broader academic space beyond the borders of their home institution.