1. Assist. prof. Dijana Vučković, University of Montenegro
Managing Research Potential at the University of Montenegro – state of the art and future challenges
Final dissemination conference of project- Towards Excellence in Research: Achievements and Visions of
Assist. prof. Dijana Vučković, University of Montenegro
Belgrade, 10th September 2018

2. University of Montenegro stimulates scientific research work and researchers to a great extent
It is primarily done through rewarding researchers for their scientific contributions (which are reflected through renowned publications on the web of science lists, scientific monographs issued by renowned publishers of scientific and professional literature), but also through the mobility of academic and research staff.

3. An overview of the number of awarded papers by individual faculties and areas of research is given on the graph:

4. From the graph it can be seen that the number of scientific papers is significantly higher in natural and technical sciences compared to the number of papers in social and humanistic sciences, although these faculty units have more employees and research/teaching staff.
The reasons for this difference in the number of papers could be a number of factors, beginning with the specifics of those sciences themselves; a much longer tradition of publication and scientific research when it comes to natural and technical sciences, as well as the longer tradition of the faculties doing such research

5. The criteria for selection of academic and scientific staff are predominantly based on the fulfillment of scientific and research criteria
primarily renowned publications in scientific journals, but at the same time evaluated other forms of research and innovation activities such as e.g. patents
Limiting factor: The criteria for selection are determined by the Higher Education Council at the level of the whole country
Therefore, change, harmonization or addition of criteria is a time-consuming process

6. At the same time, there is an opinion that the specificities of certain scientific disciplines are not sufficiently taken into account.
However, the criteria are largely uniform for all scientific fields
In the coming period there will be efforts to introduce a system of equivalence for certain contributions in order to develop different segments of the scientific activity

7. The Scientific Committee of the UoM Senate is responsible for the implementation of all activities related to scientific research at the UoM, except for research domain and achievements related to PhD studies (that are under the responsibility of the Doctoral Studies Committee)
It is important to note that the Rules, Procedures and Guidelines for the implementation of the Procedures have been significantly improved by both Committees in the past several years, and contributed to the establishment of better criteria, the strengthening of quality in the field of science and doctoral studies, as well as the transparency of work within both sectors

8. One of the challenges for the next period is the establishment of a doctoral school that will be implemented within the Erasmus + CBHE project Reforming doctoral studies in Montenegro and Albania - good practice paradigm - MARDS. The objectives of the project are:
to reconsider the existing national policies/standards for doctoral studies in two countries and their compatibility with good EU practices
to develop and propose a new model of doctoral studies, adapted to the acquired experiences over past decades and current and future countires’ needs
to propose a sustainable method of financing doctoral studies in two countries on national level
to establish two Joint Doctoral Schools “Natural Sciences and Technology for Sustainable Development” and “Economy and Tourism for Sustainable Development”
to establish sustainable cooperation with EU partners and established Doctoral School in order to maintain developed standards

9. The University of Montenegro does not have a general strategy for university development, and accordingly, the research and innovative strategies are not clearly articulated
Therefore, one of the basic challenges that we expect from the beginning of this school year, in accordance with the self-evaluation and external evaluation process (IEP EUA) through which the University of Montenegro has passed in the past period, is the development of the University Development Strategy and within it, a strategic framework for the development of research and innovation at UoM .

10. Currently, development of an IP strategy and Strategy for stimulating the knowledge commercialization is under way, in cooperation with foreign experts, which will result in complete legal regulations and guidelines for stimulating innovation

11. Development of HRS4R 1. Internal analysis
Presenting the process to the UoM Senate – accomplished
Approval of the Senate for beginning the process - accomplished
Appointment of the Steering Group and Working Group, (focus groups) - accomplished
Gap Analysis - accomplished
Action plan development – under way
2. Publishing of the analysis results and of the Action Plan
3. Certificate on adoption of HRS4R by the EC and award of the logo 
4. Internal evaluation
5. External evaluation  

12. Also, in terms of development of research and innovation, the establishment of the Institute “Centre for Research and Innovation “ should be emphasized as a special organizational unit at the University of Montenegro, which will focus on the implementation of scientific and innovative projects and will include a center for transferring technologies from the academic environment to economy.

13. This Institute should be at the same time a link to the economy, and it will be partly financed by the funds of the Ministry of Science.
It is designed as a central unit for multidisciplinary research with the aim of connecting different research groups in order to achieve exponential scientific results, patent development and the commercialization of innovative products
Through this Institute, multidisciplinary research, conducted within the framework of research grants in the period from 2014 to 2018, will be continued

14. The University of Montenegro, in partnership with the Ministry of Science, will participate in the opening of the Scientific and Technological Park (STP) in Podgorica
The works on the STP is planned to be completed by 2020
The STP building is located within the UoM campus

15. UoM members are currently in the process of completing and submitting applications for obtaining a license for an innovative activity, based on the Rules on Innovative Activity in Montenegro defined by the Ministry of Science.
The licenses will provide UoM members with the opportunity to place innovations on the market, develop innovation in general, and stimulate research efforts to develop innovative products

16. In the field of development and fostering the quality culture, the development of ethical principles in the academic community, we note that apart from the Code of Ethics and the reorganized Court of Honor, we have established another additional mechanism, which is the Academic Integrity Working Group for been established for preparation of documents for the needs of certification of the UoM for the area of Academic Integrity to be submitted to IRFPA (International Institute for Research and Action on Academic and Plagiarism)
Further, in the next change each faculty will appoint a person that will be in charge of academic integrity, as well as each sector in the Rectorate

17. The process of defining the Law on Academic Integrity is initiated, and in accordance with this, amendments are made to the Code of Ethics for Researchers at the University of Montenegro

18.  During the past few months, several training courses were organized at the University of Montenegro, in the area of plagiarism prevention and ethical standards at HEIs, training in cases of non-academic behavior of students, training in strengthening academic integrity, the role of QA in strengthening academic integrity
 In addition to the professors and students, the training was attended by the top management of the University of Montenegro, including members of the Governing Board of the University of Montenegro, members of the Professional Council, the Court of Honor and the Scientific Committee

19.  Additional training for Student Parlament and the Court of Honour is planned
On-line courses concerning academic integrity will be prepared by internal staff and external experts with the support of the Council of Europe
Each participant will receive a certificate on successful completion of the course

20. In order to improve the efficiency and transparency of work at the University of Montenegro, regarding academic, scientific and research activities, as well as the availability of existing legal regulations at the UoM, significant efforts have been invested in the reorganization and modification of the website of the University of Montenegro during the previous year
Further focus was on the integration of all resources, but with much better transparency, greater ease of access to information, better interface inputs and review of research and teaching activities, etc.

21. A DMS is also established
It allows easier and more efficient access to documents and information within the UoM
A database of scientific works has been created by university units and authors, as well as by various categories of publications
In addition, a database of diaspora scientists (and potential associates at the same time) is made
It has the possibilities to search scientists by the field of research and the degree of education, country of residence, and so on.

22. Training of Young Researchers has become regular practice at the University of Montenegro by being introduced as part of the regular activities of the Career Development Centre
According to the Work plan of the Centre he following trainings will be organized once in each semester:
Training in research methodology
Training in teaching methodology
Training in communication and presentation skills
Additional training as the need arises will also be organized