Faculty of Maritime Studies Kotor implements the activities for development and innovations in the economy and maritime education
In the last decade, the Faculty of Maritime Studies Kotor of the University of Montenegro has implemented about 40 national, bilateral, international, and economic projects. Vice-Dean for Development and Innovation Prof. Dr. Tatijana Dlabač says that the Faculty was a coordinator or partner in project applications of regional and international programs, out of which stand out: TEMPUS, ERASMUS+, Interreg IPA, HERD, HERIC, EUREKA. 
"Within these projects, modern equipment was successfully procured, including simulators for practical teaching of students, laboratories, a computer center, and a Seafarers' Training Center, classrooms, and other spaces necessary for uninterrupted scientific research work of teachers and associates," Dlabač said. 
However, according to Dlabač, successful implementation of these projects does not only affect the Faculty, but it is also important for the development of society. One of them is the Erasmus+ project "Sustainable development of BLUE economies through higher education and innovation in Western Balkan Countries (BLUEWBC)", which started in January 2020. 
"This project should improve the current situation in the field of blue economies, innovation, and entrepreneurship through capacity building in higher education and connecting the academic community with the economy".
In addition to this project, a project from the EUREKA program, four bilateral projects with Serbia, two bilateral projects with Slovenia, and one Interreg IPA project are underway. Implementation of three more Interreg IPA cross-border projects is planned for July 2020.
Partners in mentioned projects are universities and business entities from our country, as well as from the region and beyond. "We emphasize the excellent cooperation with project partners from Albania, Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, Norway, and Lithuania," Dlabač said.
At this moment, she points out, it is extremely important to create an interesting, innovative and dynamic environment that will attract as many young and talented students and motivate academic staff to get involved in the implementation of this and many other activities carried out at the Faculty and University.
"All our teachers and associates actively publish scientific papers both in renowned journals and at conferences that are primarily related to the maritime profession. It is good practice for our Faculty to share all information at meetings of teaching staff or in the form of announcements displayed on the website of the Faculty after each important established cooperation, participation in the conference, bilateral visits, etc. In this way, younger colleagues are informed about various forms of scientific research work that the University as a whole provides today", Dlabač states.
Development of distance education, lifelong and regular education of seafarers, organization of training for students and seafarers are in the constant focus of the Faculty of Maritime Studies Kotor.
"At the Faculty, intensive work is being done on the development of maritime education and training, as an integral part of the career of every seafarer. Our teachers and associates have been using Moodle platform and additional resources for distance learning for many years, which was extremely important, primarily ensuring regular work of students and teaching staff during the COVID-19 pandemic," Dlabač concluded.