The Minister of Public Administration and Local Self-Government, Aleksandar Martinović, PhD, has officially opened the third consecutive online Student Professional Practice in Public Administration Fair today.
On this occasion, minister Martinović has signed the “Cooperation Programme in connection with the provision of support to higher education institutions in the educational process for 2023/2024” with the rectors of state universities in Belgrade, Novi Sad, Kragujevac, Niš and Novi Pazar.
“In this academic year, we are giving students the opportunity to attain their first work experience in one of the 900 positions available to them at 73 authorities from 33 cities and municipalities throughout Serbia. We have also introduced some significant novelties. Students will be able to attend training for the development of digital, personal and communication skills free-of-charge, and we shall reward the most successful students with a study visit to one of the Member States of the European Union,” minister Martinović has said. He added that MDULS has recognized the fact that higher education has one of the key roles in reforms and positive changes, as well as that institutions need new energy and creativity, and that is why, as he stated, universities and faculties are provided to implement study programmes through the “student professional practice in public administration” instrument, which maximally ensures that students gain practical experience relevant to their future career. The minister has invited the students to apply and ensure their chance to prepare for the future.
“This is a unique opportunity to express your affinities and to gain practice in public administration bodies so that tomorrow, you can become one of the pillars of the further progress of modern Serbia, the solid foundations of which we built and which we raised to the pedestal of the most successful countries in this part of Europe, where it belongs. I believe that the responsible policy of the Government and the efforts made by the Ministry will ensure that all interested students can connect with the business community through professional practice and adequately prepare for the labour market”, minister Martinović has emphasized, and expressed his belief that the young generation will see how much work in administration bodies is important, and that they will begin to think seriously about starting their career in public administration, because, as he stated, it is important for the entire system that young and talented people are part of our institutions.
This year, for the first time ever at the Fair, the special award “Partner of the Year” was awarded, and the award was presented to the Regional School of Public Administration (ReSPA).
“This is a great recognition for the ReSPA team, because it is proof that we are building a solid partnership of trust and respect with our colleagues from MDULS – the only one possible in achieving even better joint results in Public Administration Reform. I believe that, in the coming period, ReSPA will further justify the placed trust through numerous activities and concrete results,” Maja Handjiska-Trendafilova, director of ReSPA, has said, adding that the new Strategy and the ambitious work programme of this organization for the next year contain numerous learning initiatives, as well as mobility schemes focused on networking Serbian civil servants with colleagues from the region, EU institutions and its Member States.
“Aware of the fact that state institutions are as strong as the teams that work in them are qualified and follow the development trends of modern administration, we will continue to implement activities that have a common denominator – empowered and satisfied civil servants who influence the development of state administration, develop services aligned with the needs of citizens of Serbia and encourage its overall growth,” Handjiska-Trendafilova has said upon receiving the award.
Students were able to obtain information about the Fair’s offer and communicate with authorities and universities within the Virtual Auditoriums/chat rooms, and a forum “Professional Practice in Public Administration – a chance for all students” was held.
This year, with the support of the European Union, the Fair is being held in an online environment on a specially designed digital platform, in the virtual space of the Government of the Republic of Serbia.
For more information about student professional practice in public administration and the Fair agenda, please visit the Virtual Community “Student Professional Practice in Public Administration” at the following link: https://strucnapraksa.mduls.gov.rs/, where you can also enter this year’s Fair.
Photo gallery – source: Tanjug and MDULS
