In the last two years, European Union donation worth 30 million euros supported the modernisation of infrastructure in 27 faculties in all five public universities in Serbia, according to the closing ceremony of the EU HETIP project, held in the Rectorate of the University of Belgrade.
With the support from the European Union through a two-year project worth 30 million euros, 27 faculties in all five public universities in Serbia obtained renewed and modernised equipment, aiming to improve teaching and develop higher education.
The project “Improving higher education infrastructure in Serbia” – EU HETIP, in partnership with Ministry of Education, funded the renewal of laboratories, research cabinets, study rooms and communal facilities in public faculties in Belgrade, Novi Sad, Kragujevac, Nis, Kraljevo, Novi Pazar, Bor, Vrnjacka banja, Cacak and Leskovac.
“After two years of hard work, we can see the results. The most striking results are reflected on smiling faces of students and professors whom I met in Belgrade, Novi Sad and other cities. But project’s final results are further development of higher education and making it connected to economy, allowing society to economically develop and prosper,” said Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Michael Davenport at the project’s closing ceremony.
As of 2013 school year, students and teachers at these 27 faculties have started to use renovated spaces and modern equipment, such as multimedia classroom of 400 square metres in size within the building of the Rectorate of the University of Belgrade, and a modern research laboratory for genetics analysis at the Faculty of Medicine in Nis.
Through HETIP, teaching space of the Faculty of Sciences in Novi Sad was increased by 2.000 square metres, new building of Faculty of Forestry was built in Goc, Faculty of Medicine in Nis got a Laboratory for functional genomics and proteomics, whereas the Faculty of Physics in Belgrade got 10 laboratories.
Also, Botanical Garden in Belgrade was reconstructed via these funds, where not only students, professors and researchers of the Faculty of Biology would be able to enjoy themselves, but the residents and visitors of the capital as well.
A modern, multi-purpose teaching equipment will significantly improve practical skills and competences of Serbian students and will help the Ministry to improve scientific and technical innovation and research, that should in turn affect the economic prosperity.
Ultimate goal of the project is further development and linking of higher education with economy, which will in turn ensure prosperity of the society, in line with the vision of Serbian Government, Davenport said.
Minister without portfolio in charge with European integration Jadranka Joksimovic said that Serbia learned its lessons from Europe – investments in education were key to overcoming crisis.
“European Union will surely continue to act as your main partner and donor for modernisation of Serbian education system with the aim of prosperity of Serbian society,” said Davenport.
For more information, visit: www.hetip.rs
