Munk School of Global Affairs University of Toronto TRINITY COLLEGE

Canada – Montenegro Education Initiative

About the Initiative

The Initiative is the result of a major gift to support collaborative projects between the Munk Centre for International Studies and the University of Montenegro. Its principal goals are to provide financial assistance to young students in the Kotor and Tivat municipalities of Montenegro to pursue higher education in Montenegro and Southeastern Europe. It also provides for teaching and library resources for the University of Montenegro’s Faculty of Tourism and Hotel Management in Kotor. Finally, the project offers a joint undergraduate/graduate workshop on issues of importance to Montenegro and Southeastern Europe in general.

The program also partners with the Canadian Embassy in Serbia and Ryerson University’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management.

The program was officially launched at a press conference in Podgorica with H.E. Slobodan Backovic, the Montenegrin Minister of Education, Mr. Peter Munk, and Program Manager Robert Austin on 15 January 2007.

2008–2009 Programs

At a press conference in Podgorica, Montenegro on 14 March 2008, Montenegrin Deputy Minister of Education and Science Marko Jokic joined Robert Austin and Oliver Corlette, Managing Director of Porto Montenegro, in announcing the 2008 – 2009 programs.

2008 -2009 Peter Munk Young Scholars Program

Our flagship program remains the Peter Munk Young Scholars Program for qualified youth in Tivat and Kotor. In the fall of 2007, we awarded 155 fellowships of 1000 Euro each at a ceremony in Tivat. In 2008 we will award 150 fellowships also valued at 1000 Euro each.

As per our pledge in 2007, these fellowships are renewable for students who received the award in the first year and who are continuing on in their education. Renewal of the awards is based on achieving academic excellence in their studies. This is determined by achieving an 8.5 Grade Point Average in their university studies and having fulfilled the criteria to move on to the next year of study. The details for this procedure will be announced in the Montenegrin media in April with a deadline for submission of documents (transcript and confirmation of continued enrolment) on 30th September.

After we award the renewals, the remaining number of fellowships will be offered to a new group of students. Those details will be announced in October in the Montenegrin media.

***Update***

Click here to read the below letter in Montenegran …

Toronto, 1 June 2008

Dear 2007 - 2008 Peter Munk Young Scholars Award Winners,

First, let me congratulate all of you again for your success in last year's compeition for the Peter Munk Young Scholars Awards. I hope that all of you had a successful year in your studies.

As many of you may have heard through the media and elsewhere, the program will renew fellowships for those students who are continuing their undergraduate studies as we pledged to you last year. We will not be renewing funds for post-graduate studies.

The process for renewal is very straightforward. In order to be eligible to receive 1000 Euro for the year 2008-2009 students must have maintained an overall average for university studies of 8.5 or higher.

You will need to submit the following original documents to the Porto Montenegro office in Tivat.

1)   Official University Transcript  (grade report)
2)   Proof from your university that you are to be enrolled in full-time studies for the 2008 - 2009 academic year.
3)   Proof of continued residency in Tivat or Kotor Municipality.

All materials must be submitted by 30th September 2008. Renewals will be announced by the end of October.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require additional details.

My best wishes to all of you for continued success.

Robert Austin
Director
Canada - Montenegro Education Initiative
Munk Centre for International Studies
University of Toronto
www.utoronto.ca/mcis/montenegro

Service and Professionalism Workshop in Kotor

In partnership with the Ted Rogers School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Ryerson University and the University of Montenegro’s Faculty of Tourism and Hotel Management in Kotor, in May/June 2008 we will again hold a 2 week intensive workshop for students on Service and Professionalism in the Tourism Sector. This course is taught by faculty members from Ryerson University. We will have 55 students enrolled. It is designed to introduce students to hands-on work in the Tourism and Service Sector. All participants receive a certificate from Ryerson University.

English for Tourism Courses in Tivat

Based on a survey of local needs in Tivat, we now offer English for Tourism classes in Tivat in partnership with the Mladost school in Tivat. In December 2007, we began offering 8-week intensive with two sections of 15 students. These courses will continue until mid July 2008. In September 2008, we will offer advanced English language courses for some of our graduates along with Business English. These courses are aimed at people working in the Tourism and Service Sector in Tivat who wish to improve their English language skills.