Nikšić, 29.10.2026.
The second final conference within the HAWKING project was held on October 28 and 29, 2026 at the Faculty of Philosophy in Nikšić, Montenegro. During the two-day conference, the key results of the three-year implementation of the project aimed at improving access to higher education were presented, with a special focus on supporting students with disabilities and creating a more accessible and inclusive academic environment. Special emphasis of the conference was placed on the sustainability of the achieved results and their long-term application after the end of the project.
The conference brought together representatives of partner institutions and organizations, as well as students of the Faculty of Philosophy in Nikšić, who had the opportunity to learn about the achieved results of the project, their importance for the improvement of inclusive higher education and the possibilities of their long-term application.
In the introductory part of the conference, Prof. Veselin Mićanović, Ph.D., vice-chancellor for teaching at the University of Montenegro, presented the most significant achievements of the project, particularly emphasizing the importance of preserving and long-term implementation of the achieved results after the completion of its implementation. It was pointed out that the improvement of accessibility and inclusive education is a continuous process that requires institutional responsibility, commitment and joint action in removing the obstacles faced by students with disabilities.
The participants were also addressed by Danilo Leković, director of the Office for Support of Students with Disabilities (KAPSIN), whose establishment is one of the results of the HAWKING project. He emphasized the importance of this mechanism of institutional support, which will provide current and future students with disabilities easier access to information, educational opportunities and appropriate forms of support during their studies. The continuity of the Office's work is an important element of the project's sustainability, as it enables support for students with disabilities to be permanently available and institutionally organized.
The conference was also addressed by representatives of partner institutions: Adriatic University from Herceg Novi, "Bijeljina" University from Bijeljina, College of Vocational Studies for Educators and Business Informatics "Sirmium" from Serbia, University of Vlora from Albania, as well as the Organization of Amputees UDAS Banja Luka, BiH.
In front of the Faculty of Management of the "Adriatik" University, Prof. Dr. Irena Petrušić, who presented the contribution of this institution to the sustainability of the results of the HAWKING project. In her presentation, she spoke about five key areas of institutional development: improving the transition of students with disabilities from secondary to higher education, adopting institutional policies and strategic commitment to inclusion, improving digital accessibility, developing digitally optimized student services, as well as strengthening the competence of teaching staff for the application of inclusive teaching methods. She particularly emphasized the importance of the Inclusive Digital Education Strategy, which was officially adopted at the Faculty level, as well as the need for project activities and achieved results to become part of regular institutional practice. She emphasized that the long-term value of the project is reflected in the opportunities students have to access higher education on an equal basis, actively participate in academic life and successfully complete their studies.
In their speeches, the representatives of the partner institutions emphasized the importance of the joint implementation of the project, the exchange of knowledge and experience, as well as the established partnership cooperation, which represents an important basis for the continuation of joint action and the development of sustainable, systemic solutions in the field of inclusive higher education.
As part of the program of the second day of the conference, a visit to the NI Day Center for Children with Disabilities and Persons with Disabilities Nikšić was organized. This institution represents a significant social care service that provides comprehensive support to children with developmental disabilities and people with disabilities through day care. During the visit, the participants got acquainted with the work of the institution, its programs and approaches in providing support to users. The work of this institution represents an important example of comprehensive support aimed at improving the quality of life of users and their families, as well as strengthening social inclusion in the local community.
Although the implementation of the HAWKING project is nearing completion, its real value and long-term success will be reflected in the extent to which the achieved results will continue to be applied, developed and contribute to the improvement of the position of students with disabilities in the years to come.
It is especially important to ensure that developed educational materials and digital resources remain publicly available, that university websites are accessible to people with disabilities, that established support mechanisms continue to work and that acquired knowledge is transferred to teaching and administrative staff.
The key message of the HAWKING project is that success is not measured only by realized activities and achieved results, but primarily by their sustainability and positive changes that remain after the end of the project. Accessibility and inclusive education must become permanent commitments of higher education institutions, so that current and future generations of students with disabilities have equal opportunities for education, academic development and full participation in university life.
The last, final conference of the HAWKING project will be held on November 10 and 11, 2026 in Vlora, Albania, which will officially mark the end of its three-year implementation.
The HAWKING project brings together 15 institutions from the region and Europe, and is coordinated by the University of Montenegro. The goal of the project is to improve inclusion and digital accessibility in higher education, with a special focus on creating equal opportunities for students with disabilities. Universities and organizations from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Turkey, Slovenia, Cyprus, Portugal and Serbia participate in its implementation.