The Present Situation and Mission of “St. Cyril and Methodius” University in Skopje
“St. Cyril and Methodius” University in Skopje is the first state university in the Republic of Macedonia founded in 1949. It is a university institution with 23 faculties/schools, 10 scientific institutes, and 7 associate members, while its activity is defined with the Law on University Education and with the Statute of the University.
Over 115,000 high professional graduates, 5,000 MAs, and over 2,500 Ph. Ds have been promoted in the “St. Cyril and Methodius” University in Skopje (UKIM). Foreign students from over 80 countries have taken part in its educational process.
Today, there are 37,000 students from the Republic of Macedonia studying at UKIM, which is over 60% of the total students’ population in the Republic. Around 600 foreign students are included in the students’ programs of the University at all faculties every year (137 foreign students were enrolled at the first year in 2006/2007). At the moment, there are about 2,400 educational professionals and associates engaged in the faculties and institutes, and there are over 170 pre-graduate and over 250 post-graduate profiles.
The University, that is to say its faculties and public scientific institutions are located on several campuses in the following towns: Skopje, Stip, and Strumica. This structure does not present an obstacle for its optimum capacity because there is an organic integration at every location of the faculties in the following areas: medical sciences, technical sciences, natural and bio-technical sciences, socio-political sciences, and humanistic sciences.
UKIM is developing study programs in all the scientific areas, and research work is done in independent scientific institutes that are in the frameworks of the University beside the faculties. It is one of the rare universities with a large number of traditional and modern scientific areas, while some study programs are organized only at this University as a part of the total university educational system of the Republic of Macedonia.
Today, “St. Cyril and Methodius” University in Skopje is active in several fields – institutional development, management, educational activity, personnel development and professional completion, computing, international cooperation, publishing activity, cooperation with funds and foundations, including issuing titles and highest academic titles – professor honoris causa and doctor honoris causa. With the engagement of a number of associations, unions, and clubs, UKIM organizes sport, art, computing, recreation, and other activities.
“St. Cyril and Methodius” University in Skopje is dedicated to the development and promotion of knowledge and development of culture of living. Throughout its existence, UKIM has given full contribution to the accomplishment of a sustainable development and improvement of the society in realizing its mission focused on:
- education of high professionals and responsible citizens capable of meeting the needs arising from the existential, social, and individual spheres of human manifestation;
- securing, creating, and disseminating knowledge via the development of scientific and technological researches in the technical, natural-mathematical, bio-technical, artistic, medical, and social sciences;
- helping understand, interpret, maintain, advance, and promote the national, regional, international, and historical cultures in the context of cultural pluralism and varieties;
- fostering international and affirmation of traditional characteristics and values of the Macedonian people (language, history, literature, and culture) and also fostering cultural values of the other ethnic communities;
- assisting the protection and promotion of social values via training the young and promoting values as a foundation for democratic citizenship;
- developing and realizing one’s own autonomy, ethic role, responsibility, and anticipating operations;
- harmonizing one’s own academic ability with the needs of the social surrounding and constant dynamic relationship with it;
- creating a stimulating surrounding for the employed, development of their abilities with the aim of fulfilling the mission.
UKIM, as the unique entity of the faculties and the institutions, arranges at the university level the common grounds and standards from its activities, monitors the process and degree of their realization, reporting, and responsibility, and develops creative relationship towards initiatives and proposals of the faculties and institutions that are in the function of accomplishing its strategic goals. The University bases its relations with the state on the principles of academic freedom, confidence, autonomy, reporting, responsibility, and transparency.
Transformation of University Education and Development Challenges
With its autonomy, the University has the responsibility to monitor the changes taking place in Europe and in the world and thus construct its development strategy in conformity with the requests of global integration processes.
The process of transformation of the UKIM actually started before the Bologna Declaration of 1999 and before the Law on University was passed in 2000.
On 19 September 2003 the Republic of Macedonia became an equal member of the European family of countries committed to follow-up and accomplish the recommendations of the Bologna process and the common determination to create a unique European space of university education.
By taking over the commitments from the Bologna declaration, the state placed “St. Cyril and Methodius” University in Skopje in front of new challenges in its further transformation. Beside the regular efforts for lifting the quality of the studies and their efficiency, the University is now also faced with the commitments for its own structural, organizational, and program designing that will be transparent, competitive, compatible, and recognizable on the European market of academic studies.
As one of the co-signers of the Bologna Declaration, the Republic of Macedonia (and therefore the UKIM, too) committed itself to adapt in the first decade of the 21st century its politics so as to accomplish the following goals that are considered to be of primary importance for the creation of a European market of university education:
- adoption of a system of easily recognizable and comparable degrees and introduction of a Diploma Supplement;
- introduction of a system of studies based on three cycles;
- introduction of EKTS (European System of Transfer and Credit Accumulation);
- greater mobility (of students, teachers, researchers, and administrators);
- European cooperation in ensuring quality;
- Introduction of the necessary European dimension in the university education.
The accomplishment of these goals that have to be made with a full respect for the cultural varieties, the language, the national systems of education, and autonomy of the universities should enable access to the European space of university education.
One of the concrete moves was the initiative for dispersion of the study programs of the Schools of Economy, Law, and Medicine, as well as the School of Electronics and Computing technologies in Stip, including the School of Agriculture and Food in Strumica. In 2005/2006 this was successfully completed, and in the 2006/2007 academic year the second generation of students was enrolled.
In the area of the enrollment policy some changes and supplements have been done to the Manual for the conditions and criteria for enrollment in the graduation studies at the “St. Cyril and Methodius” University, when the so-far enrollment exam was annulled after the mechanisms for the selection of candidates had been defined.
Dynamics of the Transformation
In the past period, the University accomplished its development in three phases:
2001 – 2004: The goal of this phase was to make a promotion of the Bologna process through a large number of seminars, workshops, printing of information material, and so on, which made possible the creation of a fruitful ground for accepting the Bologna recommendations on the side of the university personnel and students. As a result of this phase, in 2004 the Strategy for the UKIM development 2004 – 2010 was adopted, as well as the rule books that regulate the introduction of the EKTS in the University.
2004 – 2006: the initial implementation of the EKTS in the University and re-designing study programs and study regime. In this period, 90% of the study programs of the UKIM were transformed in conformity with the new methodology.
2007 – 2010: Based on the UKIM development Action Plan passed in 2005, we expect the completion of the UKIM transformation and full introduction of the standards and recommendations emerging from the Bologna process. We can expect the new Law on Education to create possibilities for the accomplishment of the remaining key goals from the transformation of the UKIM, like:
- Changes in the structure and organization;
- Changes in the operation and management;
- Changes in the financing;
- Reinforced autonomy with responsibility;
- Introduction of a system for securing and controlling quality;
- Reinforced scientific and research work;
- Reinforced international cooperation;
- Completion of university acts.
The challenges facing the UKIM in the period to come will be a motif for a joint handling of the problems and a joint success in raising the degree of efficiency and quality in the work. The development of the University and its affirmation on a national and international plan is our obligation and proof about our respect for the institution to which we belong.
Present and Future Activities and Priorities
The processes of self-evaluation and external evaluation of the faculties and the University are being continually accomplished. The external evaluation of the UKIM was done by an expert team of the European Association of Universities in 2003/2004. Since then, activities for introducing the recommendations made in the Report on external evaluation have been intensively in process.
Following the conclusions in the Report on self-evaluation and the conclusions and recommendations in the Report on external evaluation of the UKIM, you will find in the further text the present and the future activities and priorities of the UKIM supported by the document adopted by the bodies of the University – Development Strategy of the “St. Cyril and Methodius” University in Skopje for the period 2004 – 20010:
- The UKIM has started the process of planning a new internal structural organization. This new architecture will include a central university management and administration that will operate via modern democratic decision-making bodies, while the faculties as important integral parts of the integrated university will be the only functional system. Although this is going to be a challenge for the present legal framework, the University should initiate and develop a process of internal consensus development for the reform in the framework of the entire institution.
- The UKIM must cooperate with the entire university community in designing its long-term strategic development plan and implementing appropriate mechanisms for quality control. Priorities must be defined, the introduction must be monitored, and an accompanying budget plan for financing this development must be composed.
- Central services are needed for efficiently meeting the needs of the academic community. This may include a joint use of the library and information communication technological resources, central registration of all the students, and students’ support centers.
- The use of the students’ opinion polls is widely spread in the UKIM, which is an important initial step. The University must use them appropriately in cooperation with the students at the University level and at the level of the faculties.
- The UKIM must create a system organization for collecting data on all kinds of university activities, including registration of compensations for studying, data on completed studies, human resources, research publications, inter-university cooperation, and expenses. These figures must be collected in a center and be easily accessible to the university management.
- Modernization of curricula is a continual process. The study programs are being developed in order to meet the new challenges of the changing environment, in which educational programs must be an integrated part of the curriculum.
- The UKIM is undertaking steps for changing the system of evaluation of exams taken by students. Transparency and objectivity are the main values in the undertaken changes.
- The educational methods must be modernized and permanently evaluated in order to meet the educational needs of the students. The systems of education must provide a balance between the lectures and the interactive education so as to engage the students as active participants. The development programs of the academic personnel must be organized in such a way as to help the staff develop their educational methods.
- The transfer of new graduated students at the labor market must be even in order to reduce the outflow of brains among the Macedonian graduated students. A development program of practical work of the students is needed for them to acquire working experience after completing their studies, which has to be co-financed by the Government and the industry.
- The UKIM is undertaking activities for modernization of the scientific activities as a base for acquiring new knowledge and for connecting the University with the international academic community. It makes efforts for expanding and supporting the inter-disciplinary activity undertaken in some of its institutions.
- A project program has been made for the construction of a new space adapted for the needs of the Computing Center, the University Computer net, and MAR-net for the needs of the UKIM, as well as for the needs of cabinets and offices of the Financing and Investing Sectors.
- For the purpose of accomplishing the strategic goals, it is necessary to reform the funds distribution state system into a system based on supporting the UKIM activities and not the number of the enrolled students. In this direction, it is indispensable to increase the State funds and improve the horizon of the financing funds planning for the next few years.
- Intensification and permanent support to the cultural and sports activities. Significant sports successes have already been achieved by the University KOMETAL-League in basketball, the University soccer league, Inter-university sports games, University tennis tournament, and Championship in karate.
Scientific Research Activity of the Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje
As an illustration for the activities of the “St. Cyril and Methodius” University in Skopje as regards the scientific research work during 2006, we are presenting the following:
- Participation in the manifestations celebrating 10th November – the World’s Day of Science, when the traditional “Faculty-Economy” meeting was held at the Faculty of Agriculture and Food;
- Information material was published from the “Science in the Economy” scientific rostrum celebrating the World’s Day of Science in 2005;
- The ALUMNI-base was created containing data about the staff of “St. Cyril and Methodius” University engaged in other countries in America, Australia, and Europe. The MAR-net organized this activity;
- The Data Base for scientific research activities of the UKIM was promoted;
- An info-day for introduction to and promotion of SINTEF – an Agency of the Kingdom of Norway - was organized. SINTEF is the largest independent research organization in Scandinavia that provides scholarships, study stays for scientific projects, and so on;
- The University was included in the largest world’s data base, SCOPUS, and a presentation was organized for the purpose of introducing it to the academic public in reference to its access, contents, and possibilities it offers on a scientific base;
- In the organization of our University and the Norwegian SINTEF an international workshop was held at UKIM on the occasion of the formation of the IRC (Innovation Support Center) in Macedonia, as an integral part of the IRC-net established by the European Commission in 1995. The IRC-net consists of 71 centers for transfer of innovations throughout Europe. These centers have been created with the aim of helping the transfer of innovative technologies from and to European companies and research centers.
- The University is actively participating in the integration of the Euro-info center with the IRC-Macedonia;
- Activities for defining priority areas in the work of the IRC-Macedonia have started;
- The University participates in the preparations of the Republic of Macedonia for joining the CIP – the European Union Program that is to start in 2007;
- A tender has been publicized for scientific research activities financing the students for 2005/2006;
- It has been decided to support students’ scientific congresses with international participation, like: The Eight Summer University of the European University Association, organized by the students of the Pharmaceutical Faculty from 16 to 25 July 2006 in Ohrid and the Second International Congress of students of the Vet Faculty from 8 to 11 June 2006 in Strumica;
- A committee for the organization of Networking Meeting was formed – upon the initiative for medical researches that held its regular conference in June 2006 in the organization of the Graz University;
- The Scientific Conference in the framework of the Summer School was organized and held at the Seminar of Macedonian language, literature, and culture, as well as was the North-American Conference;
- With the purpose of efficient and quality use of the scientific potential in the University a Draft-Project was elaborated anticipating essential improvement in the work of the scientific research institutes and a debate was initiated on organizational and functional connection of the scientific research institutes with the University.
In connection with the scientific research activities of the UKIM, last year a special place was given to the international scientific meeting “St. Naum of Ohrid – Life and Work,” held in the monastery compound of “St. Naum” in Ohrid last October. This important scientific event was organized by the “St. Cyril and Methodius” University and the Macedonian Orthodox Church on the occasion of the 1100th Anniversary of the construction of “St. Naum” Monastery in Ohrid. This significant project was completed at the University Patron Day with the promotion of the Collection of Works from the Meeting as a permanent historical document from this manifestation.
Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje organized and hosted a one-day workshop on the topic: “Quality – Linking Bridge of the Universities in the Country and the World”. The purpose of the workshop was to make a review in the accomplished results of the so-far applied Bologna Declaration in order to come out with ideas and suggestions for improving the quality in the educational research processes. At the same time, the book “Ensuring Quality in University Education – Insight from Macedonia” was promoted.
Beside representatives of the faculties and the Union of UKIM students, representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science and the State University in Tetovo also took part. The participants gave their personal contribution with reports, statements, and discussions on the following sub-topics: mechanisms and instruments for ensuring quality; students’ work evaluation methods; evaluation gains and accreditation of university institutions; the students and quality evaluation of the educational process; international cooperation and students’ mobility. At the same time, the workshop gave an impetus and it is the herald for the institutional evaluation of the University that, as a process and commitment, must be made in 2008.
In the sphere of science other activities have been undertaken. The UKIM has become a member of the Medical Universities’ network. Suggestions have been already prepared by project teams for the reinforcement of the UKIM scientific research work, the role of the teaching staff in the research activities, the organizational and functional linkage of the scientific institutes, and development of scientific research regulations of the UKIM, stronger role of the students in the scientific research work, development of the IT-component in the scientific research, and further development of the MAR-net.
Based on implemented researches of competent university professors, the question about the harmful impact over the base mobile telephony stations located near teaching facilities was opened. Following a previous procedure at the University, this question was raised in the Government and some other authorities indicating that the University was willing to participate with its expert potential in the preparation of regulations that will tackle these problems
Bilateral, Regional, and Multilateral Cooperation
The international cooperation is one of the priorities of the Ss. Cyril and Methodius University. Considering the role, connection, and inter-dependence of the international academic communities, as well as the indispensable need for creating and developing scientific, technological, and educational innovations, the international cooperation of the University is more focused on a stronger participation in the programs of CARDS-TEMPUS (programs for university education support), UNESCO (UN special agency for promotion of international cooperation in several spheres), the Regional Central-East European initiative, as well as the cooperation with the neighboring, the Mediterranean, and overseas universities, especially the partners from the United States.
The long-term bilateral cooperation with the universities abroad is accomplished in areas that are directly expressing the priorities and the interests of the partners. The new vital element is the link and the mutual dependence of bilateral, regional, and multilateral forms of academic exchange and direct cooperation with the educational institutions. The bilateral cooperation is realized in the frameworks of 70 agreements on cooperation including academic and students’ mobility, common scientific research projects, joint degrees, workshops, and seminars.
The University involves particular creative energy in the multilateral cooperation that is gradually obtaining a strategic importance. We estimate that the multilateral cooperation offers a wealth of experiences and possibilities. The bilateral and multilateral activities with the universities from the EU countries are a part of the unique system of Europeanization. In this direction, the multilateral cooperation gives significant contribution to the development of a new common strategy encompassing our traditional standards and values as well. The results are the promotion of respect for the varieties, as well as the development and education of competent individuals.
The University fully supports the indispensable need for participation in joint scientific research projects for restructuring the ones already in process and for developing new curricula, for reforms in the university educational structures, university management, evaluation and quality, development of specific knowledge and skills necessary for the implementation of the economic and social reforms and cooperation with the industry.
UKIM is a member of the academic network sharing its plights for quality in the university education and research in a competitive international environment:
UNICA – Network of the Universities from the Capitals of Europe
CEEPUS – Central European Exchange Program
CEI – Central European Initiative
EUA – European University Association
IAU – International Association of Universities
EAIE – European Association for International Education
AUF – Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie
BUN – Balkan University Network
UNI-ADRION – Virtual University of the Adriatic-Ionian Basin
INTERREG III MIRES – Bologna University
CIRCEOS – Interuniversity Center for CEE Countries
NET/USEE – Network of SEE Universities
The membership in these networks and associations gives the possibility for an easier access to the EU funds intended for scientific and applicative projects first of all of a regional character.
Moreover, the UKIM has a large cooperation with regional and international governmental agencies and organizations. The University gives the title professor of honoris causa to outstanding professors and scientists who have contributed to the development of the educational and scientific process.
CARDS – TEMPUS Program – Development of a European Space of University Education
EU is making great efforts for the SEE development. The goal of the strategy is to make closer the countries from the region to the Euro-integration. The strengthening of the regional, international, and inter-border cooperation is particularly stressed by improving the social and the economic development, the development of a civil society, stronger democracy, the rule of law, education, and environment protection.
The development of the university education in conformity with the Bologna principles, as well as the development of compatibility with the European space of university education in all the parts of the curricula and research is a prerequisite for our Euro-integration.
In this context, the CARDS-TEMPUS program has proven to be the most powerful instrument for the development of a European space of university education. The TEMPUS Program is the key factor in reaching the goals set by the Bologna process and in improving the regional cooperation.
In the frameworks of the TEMPUS Program, the institutional cooperation on a national level was supported with 76 joint European projects, 27 compact, structural, and complementary measures, and 350 grants for individual mobility in the EU member countries. The financial support provided by the European Commission through the TEMPUS Program sums up to 27 million Euros.
University Students’ Network – MARnet
MARnet (Macedonian Academic Research Network) as an organizational unit of the “St. Cyril and Methodius” University in Skopje is engaged in the following more significant matters:
- Organization of and operation with the unique academic and research computing-communication network in the Republic of Macedonia;
- Operation with the Macedonian address space in the computing networks (ISO3166 code MK);
- Planning, development, organization, and operation with the communication infrastructure of the MARnet users;
- Establishment of communication links with familiar networks in other states;
- Cooperation with and membership of international organizations and associations of academic and research networks.
MARnet was organized by the example of national academic networks in Europe and in the region. For the accomplishment of its goals, it is included in TERENA (Trans-European Research and Educational Network Association) and CEENET (Central and East European Academic and Research Networks). It participates in several current projects in the region for the development of fast academic networks in South East Europe:
- Since 2003, with an international link with the capacity of 4 Mbps, the MARnet has been connected with the GEANT via the access point in Athens. The project is run via the 5th Framework Program of the European Union.
- MANI, the NATO-project (NATO Science Program) for the purchase of active network equipment for building gigabyte academic network in the region of Skopje. The project is in the phase of delivery of the equipment.
- GMON (Gigabit Metro Optical Network) – a project in cooperation with the Austrian Government for the development of an optical gigabyte academic network by setting optical cables in the region of Skopje. The main project for the construction of the network is in preparation.
All the current activities of the MARnet for the establishment of a gigabyte optical network infrastructure for linking the universities and the other scientific research institutions in the Republic of Macedonia are in connection with the following: The conclusions of the Conference in Varna in 2003 related to the development policy of the national research networks in South East Europe, the conclusions of several meetings at a ministerial level on computing academic networks development in the region, and the current projects financed by the European Union that are related to the promotion of academic networks, and thus the scientific and educational link of the academic institutions from the region of South East Europe with the European Union.
The optical link among the universities in Skopje, Bitola, and Tetovo will contribute to the further development and establishment of a progressive university and educational structure. So far, a number of studies and analyses have been made in the MARnet for its accomplishment at the universities. As a result of these activities, several solutions are possible through the already existing infrastructure.
Activities of the Students
The students, as the main participants in the educational process, take part in all the forms of operations via the Students’ Union at the faculties and the UKIM. They are present in the management bodies of the faculties (The Dean’s Management and the Educational Council), in the UKIM bodies (the University Senate, the Rector’s Administration), and in all the other UKIM commissions. Moreover, they are present in the commissions for self-evaluation and evaluation of the faculties and the UKIM, by which they are directly involved in all the activities, manifestations, and processes.
The question concerning the students’ standard is also made current, in which the UKIM makes efforts for a full improvement of the conditions by building capacities, investing, equipping the already existing facilities, founding computing centers, libraries, and so on.
Beside being included in the educational activities of the UKIM, the students participate in the creation of their own activities that are particularly intensive in the field of sports and culture, and which are supported by the UKIM. The sport activities of the “St. Cyril and Methodius” University in Skopje are developed via the University Sport Association, sport clubs, sections at the faculties, and the Academic Sport Association “Student”. On the state and international plan, sport competitions are organized by the University Sport Federation of the Republic of Macedonia, where the UKIM participates with the largest number of teams and competitors. Excellent results have been reached at individual chess championships, table tennis, mountaineering, shooting, and tennis in male and female competition. Matches of university leagues are organized in basketball, soccer, volley ball, handball, table tennis, and karate. The inter-university sport games of the Republic of Macedonia represent a possibility for scoring top sport achievements in several disciplines. Upon the invitation of the “Boasichi” University from Istanbul, Turkey, 24 students-sportsmen of the UKIM participated in the University Games “Sportfest 2006” where they won the first place in basketball in male and female competition and the third place in table tennis in individual competition.
The Students’ Union of the “St. Cyril and Methodius” University is engaged in several activities and projects that are concentrated on the improvement of the students’ standard of living. Workshops, rostra, projects, and meetings on various subjects are just a part of their engagement. On the international plan, the Students’ Union takes part in the Youth Forum, the Conference of the European Association of Students’ Unions in Brussels, and it pays study visits to other universities.
The participation of the students in international competitions in knowledge always ends with significant results and successes. The recent example is the competition in science of the European universities in Dresden, Germany, where the three-member team of students of the UKIM headed by deputy vice-chancellor Prof. Velimir Stojkovski won the prize of the audience.
The cultural activities are also present in the form of theater performances, concerts, and international folk festivals. All these activities are supported by the UKIM.
Presently, there is an initiative for re-establishing the students’ radio station.
Problems in Introducing Transformation in the University Education
The Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje was, and it still is, faced with a number of restricting factors that have a negative impact on the dynamics and the degree of the accomplishment of the set goals. We should here emphasize the following: Changes and supplements to the Law on University Education have not yet been passed, particularly in the part related to the application of the Bologna Declaration principles; there is a the trend for decreasing the financial funds necessary for following up the changes in the university education; criteria for financing the activities of the university education have not yet been adopted; there is a restriction, that is to say the state has stopped the process of staff renewal in the faculties as well as in the scientific institutions of the UKIM; the process of accreditation of new study programs for graduated and post-graduated studies has been postponed.
As a state university, “St. Cyril and Methodius” University absolutely needs the financial support of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia, which is significant for the full integration of our state in the European community. The UKIM mobilizes its potential and it is prepared to realize the commitments and to follow up the conclusions, the principles, and the priorities of the Bologna process, which anticipate the position of the university education as a social wealth and social responsibility. Although the state is obliged to, as a co-signer of the Bologna Declaration, it does not provide the necessary financial support for the fulfillment of the anticipated tasks. The financial base and employment of young staff as very important factors are extremely limited and unsuitable, which is an impediment for the realization of the strategic goals of the “St. Cyril and Methodius” University in Skopje.
The Importance of Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje
The millennium step of Macedonia from the magnificent Clement of Ohrid’s literature school, the first Slavic university, which has been radiating with knowledge literacy throughout the Macedonian and Balkan territories since the 9th century up-to-date, is fostering the Cyril and Methodius enlightening tradition with a lot of knowledge and subtle concern. Passing through elevations and temptations, in 1949 the first state university was founded – the “St. Cyril and Methodius” University in Skopje. With the proclamation of the first Law on University in Skopje the basic tasks of the University were established, such as: development of highly educated personnel of various profiles, scientific-research and cultural activities, economic and technical development of the country.
In the new millennium we are witnessing a reinforced development of the university education in the world and a greater awareness about its vital role in the economic and social development. The UKIM represents the most developed and biggest center of education, science, culture, and art in the Republic of Macedonia and it accepts the modern changes imposed by the present time from the aspect of a civilization mission of the European educational and research personnel.
In responding to the challenge of globalization and the global pluralism, the UKIM is flexible, open to changes, investments, and involvement in international associations and programs.
