The RCF Handovers New Computer Equipment to the “Vaso Aligrudić” School in Podgorica

April 19, 2024, Podgorica

A donation of 75 high-performance personal computers purchased as part of a grant worth 510,000 euros awarded by the Regional Challenge Fund, was officially handed over to the Secondary  Electrical Engineering School “Vaso Aligrudić” in Podgorica, for use in student training.

The Regional Challenge Fund (RCF) enhances the sustainable competitiveness of businesses in the Western Balkan 6 on the way to the EU single market by financing VET providers and addressing skill needs in cooperation with companies. Funds provided by the governments of Germany and Switzerland are invested in vocational education and training (VET) programs jointly designed by companies and vocational education and training providers from the region.

Dr. Ralf Reusch, Deputy Head of the Mission at the German Embassy in Podgorica, expressed his satisfaction with the successful implementation of the project, saying that Germany will continue to provide support to education in the country.

“I am proud that the projects are financed from the funds of the German Development Bank. Providing information and communication technologies is very important for this school. It is an initiative that takes a certain amount of time, but it opens up many potentials for the entire Montenegrin economy. As part of this project, software and applications can be developed, which is what citizens use in their daily lives,” said Reusch.

Secondary Electrical Engineering School “Vaso Aligrudić” won grants in two calls organised by the RCF. The total value of their two projects is just over one million euros, and the projects deal with training for the development of web and mobile applications, and the introduction of modern professional training programs in the solar energy industry and computing, such as 3D modelling.

Today’s donation, worth around 140,000 euros, includes computers, monitors, interactive touch boards and projectors, and the provision of hosting services will soon follow. The equipment will be used to train electronic technicians for the development of web and mobile applications, installers of electronic communication infrastructure, and electronic communications technicians.

Ersan Spahić, Director of the Secondary Electrical Engineering School “Vaso Aligrudić”, thanked the donors for the valuable donation and said that the School will now be one of the best equipped in our country.

“Imagine what kind of investment it is in Montenegro and what kind of investment it is in our children when you get equipment that is currently the most advanced in the world. This is the right moment to promote the School in a great fashion and for children to understand that only knowledge and work can contribute to a better economy and better living conditions,” said Spahić.

In addition to the purchase of equipment, funds are also invested in construction works and teaching materials. The School participates with its own funds, so the value of the entire investment exceeds 580,000 euros.

In three open calls so far, RCF has committed 3,25 million euros to support a total of 7 vocational education and training projects from Montenegro, with 40 partnering enterprises. The funds will be used to improve the infrastructure of five educational institutions and deliver training to the participants in the cooperative education program.

Balša Ćulafić, RCF Project Coordinator at the Chamber Investment Forum WB6 and a Coordinator for Cooperation with International Organizations within the Chamber of Commerce of Montenegro, congratulated the winners and reminded that the delivered equipment was the result of the implementation of the project from the first call of the Regional Challenge Fund.

“Of the 508,000 euros that the School “Vaso Aligrudić” received, some 350,000 were allocated for equipment, 115,000 will be allocated for works, while around 10,000 euros will be used to procure various types of materials necessary for conducting training. The equipment that we delivered today has a value of 140,000 euros, and I hope that we will soon be able to deliver the other equipment and services as well”, said Ćulafić.

Three new skills-building projects from Montenegro received investment commitment letters in a ceremony hosted by the Regional Challenge Fund in Podgorica last week.

A new RCF call for grants is expected to open in the fall of this year, inviting all vocational education and training institutions in Montenegro to apply in partnership with companies. All information will be available in due time on the RCF website and social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram).