THEIR ROYAL HIGHNESSES INITIATED A MEETING ABOUT EDUCATION AND HIGH EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM

Belgrade, 4 June 2005 – HRH Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine attended yesterday a meeting about education and high educational system, which was organized in the Rector’s office at the University of Belgrade.

A great interest of Rectors and Deans of the State Universities in Serbia, who accepted the invitation to this meeting in a large number, and actively took part in the discussion, is one more proof that this is an important matter.

The meeting was attended by Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine, HE Mr. Slobodan Vuksanovic, Minister of Education and Sport, Prof Dr Dejan Popovic, rector of the University of Belgrade, Prof. Dr Miloš Đuran, rector of the University Kragujevac, Prof. Dr Radmila Marinković-Nedučin rector of the University Novi Sad, Prof. Dr Gradimir Milovanović, rector of the University Niš, Prof. Dr Radivoje Papović, rector of the University Priština, Prof. Dr Čedomir Vasić, Rector of the University of Art, Belgrade, Prof. Dr Marija Bogdanović, former rector of the Belgrade University, and 36 deans of faculties.

The meeting was initiated by Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander II and Princess Katherine and Prof Dr Dejan Popovic, rector of the University of Belgrade having in mind the great importance of education for the future of our country, on one, and the “brain-drain” and difficulties that young people experience today, on the other hand.

At the beginning of the meeting, Their Royal Highnesses introduced Mrs. Candy Rosen, a great friend who was instrumental in the success of the “Sister City” project between Chicago and Belgrade, which will be formalized next week in Chicago.

In continuation of the meeting, all participants discussed ways in helping the youth and achieve higher education by utilizing all resources available everywhere in the world, such as making college fair, scholarship centres, or job centres that will connect graduates with the business market. Prof. Nicholaos Travlos, from ALBA University, who was also at the meeting as the guest of Their Royal Highnesses, offered any assistance with both international and Greek universities.

In the evening, Their Royal Highnesses organized a reception at The Royal Palace in honour of our rectors and deans, with the presence of HE Dr Milan Parivodic, Minister for Foreign Economic Relations, and members of the Crown Council