Firstly, a Workshop – focus group aimed at opening debate on the issue of researchers’ mobility was organised. The workshop gathered around 20 participants from the research community (both academic and private sector), professional associations and representatives of policy making institutions. The resource persons were Ms Slobodanka Koprivica (Deputy Minister for higher education and science), Prof Dr Sreten Skuletic (Vice-rector of the University of Montenegro) and a dear colleague from Slovene Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Ms Radojka Vercko, NCP for People programme in Slovenia. The group work was facilitated by Ms Maja Grizelj from GTZ as our supporter in this event, through Metaplan technique.

After an introduction of the resource persons a very intense and productive 3-hour session took place during which we produced a very good overview of the present situation (opportunities and obstacles) as regards geographical and inter-sectoral mobility of researchers in Montenegro, proposed solutions and identified key actors.

Present situation regarding researcher’s mobility – positive aspects:

• Many programmes / funds in offer,
• Awareness of opportunities is improved,
• Higher transparency, equal access to funds,
• Interdisciplinary connections exist in certain level,
• Younger researchers interested in mobility,
• Language knowledge,
• Individual enthusiasm,
• Potential among student population,
• National coordination for accessing European programmes,
• Helping institutions – AIC, University
• Availability of FP7 – Marie Curie programme
• Ongoing programmes have increased mobility (CEEPUS, ERA.net)
• Bilateral cooperation stimulates mobility

Problems / needs:

• Need to define benefits of mobility at institutional level, Unclear benefits
• Lack of structures for efficient realisation of mobility
• Legal obstacles (Law on employment) / Limits to mobility
• Uncoherency between national and international programmes
• Lack of motivation of younger and older researchers
• Lack of resources
• Lack of interest, psychological bareers
• Insufficient information level (the discussion showed that this is primarily related to non-existance of communication channels between knowledge and commercial sectors), poor communication flow
• Non-technological culture, Science is not a priority in social values
• Isolation, Poor collaboration aong colleagues
• Poor information flow among Ministries
• Poor or non-existing inter-sectoral mobility
• Lack of personal development plans of researchers
• Insufficient support from the University
• Non-existance of a Strategy for technological development of Montenegro
• Poor librarian funds
• Incompetence in the strategic development
• Small research community, Decrease in the number of young researchers
• Academic overload of young researchers
• No development centres recognised at national level
• Bureaucracy
• Poor perspectives at the return to the country

Proposed measures to improve mobility:

• Develop the Strategy for research activities and the Strategy for technological development
• Build an economy based on knowledge
• Develop administrative structures for mobility at the institutions involved in research
• Standardise information flows
• Better connect the existing resources
• Introduce a system of awarding mobility (eg. in the procedure of nomination of researchers)
• Defining priorities
• Include private sector in financing research
• Better cooperation with private sector
• Opening up of information
• Government to offer nationally important projects to be developed at the Universities in Montenegro
• MY PLAN – MY FUTURE
• Adjustments of the Law on employment (employer to encourage career development)
• Capacity building (Human resources, project management)
• Tax alleviation for companies that ivest in human resources
• Strategy for the development of human resources
• Career consulting services at the University
• Popularisation of science
• Internship programmes
• Promotion of the practice to work on a master thesis or doctorate in the private sector
• Improve the method of ’mentorship’ – overcoming ’psychological’ bareers by direct approach to a young researcher
• Activities on public awareness rising on benefits from science, since early childhood
• Organise information events frequently and consistently
• Inter-ministerial exchange of information (institutionally: inter-sectoral agencies)
• Detailed acquaintance with the opportunities within EU programmes
• Finding good mechanisms for networking within Europe and wider

Participants in the process are identified as follows:

• Research centres (at the Faculties and Institutes)
• University
• Ministry of Education and Science
• Ministry of Work, Health and Social Care
• Minitry for Economic Development
• Chamber of Economy
• National Agency for SMEs Development
• International organisations
• CSO and professional associations

The general conclusion of a very vibrant workshop was that mobility is a very important topic which all the stakeholders should fully dedicate to. The dominant topic was the inter-sectoral mobility. Recognised problems were within the span: institutional, personal, cultural and financial, the first of which were mentioned most frequently. The identified actors need to consider all the problems and work in collaboration to remove them. The workshop results were mentioned as a relevant participative input for future actions on improving researchers’ mobility in Montenegro.

During the rest of the Mobility days, the Department for Higher Education and Science of the Ministry of Education and Science organised a FP7 – PEOPLE Info day and a Fair of students and researchers’ mobility programmes.

Prepared by:
Branka Zizic, FP7 NCP Coordinator, Ministry of Education and Science, Montenegro