The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today, in his Cabinet, received the students with the highest GPA of the second year of studies of the six social science faculties at the University “St. Kliment Ohridski”- Bitola.

The two-hour meeting with the President was an opportunity for 30 best social science students to presented their views, problems and challenges they face, as well as suggestions to improve certain processes and conditions.

The established practice of regular meetings with the best students from all universities in the country is based on the conviction of President Ivanov that the constant improvement of the quality of education is extremely important, and for that purpose, it is necessary to take into consideration the views and suggestions of the students, future academic citizens of the Republic of Macedonia, on whom the future development of our society and country directly depends.

“This meeting with President Ivanov is an unusual opportunity for us, the best students, with an average grade of 10.00. The President has given us this opportunity to present problems and challenges faced in the student life, but also to talk about the new credit transfer system, the successes that we achieve with this type of study, as well as other issues related to the educational process in our State. Macedonia deserves quality staff, and only the education reforms being undertaken we could raise our country to a higher level”, Florina Bakievska said, a student at the Faculty of Law.

President Ivanov congratulated the students for their success achieved so far, and expressed his satisfaction with the opportunity to meet successful young people who are part of the academic elite of our country. The President stressed that he is happy with the fact that the students are talking frankly about the problems and challenges, which indicates their willingness to contribute to the improvement of the overall education system. He pointed out that universities are institutions where the reforms should start and which should offer programs based on the needs of the market and society.
 
Our country needs to be competitive in the global labor market, and this can only be achieved with quality education. Macedonia need not only educated people, but people capable of applying theoretical knowledge in practice", President Ivanov said at the meeting with the best students from the University of Bitola.

At the meeting, the students had the opportunity to share their opinions on the high education system in the country and to highlight its advantages and disadvantages. The students from the Faculty of Law in Bitola and the Faculty of Economics in Prilep expressed their dissatisfaction with the lack of practice, and even if practice is included, very often they are unable to learn something relevant. They also expressed concern about the prospects for their employment after graduation.

"The responsibility for your personal success or failure is simply yours. Unfortunately, we still function according to an outdated matrix and expect the state to find a work for us. Develop your entrepreneurial skills. It is important, while you are still studying, to organize yourself well and to work. Only if you are persistent you will achieve success. Quality will eventually come to light", President Ivanov said.

The students were unanimous in the view that for them it is a great honor that the President showed interest and concern for their students' everyday lives and curriculum for upgrading their knowledge, and expressed support for future meetings of this kind.

"It is an honor and pleasure to be here today, because not everyone has such an opportunity to speak face to face with the President. This actually is recognition for the effort we invest in studies and education. It is good that we had the opportunity to present the advantages and benefits we enjoy at our faculties, but also the remarks and problems we face", Hristina Ambarovska said, a student at the Faculty of Administration and Management of Information Systems - FAMIS.

Student from Serbia with Macedonian origin, Nenad Smiljkov, who studies at the Faculty of Economics in Prilep, expressed gratitude for the scholarship and the possibility that Macedonia offers him to study here.

"I also think that such opportunities, as the meeting with the President today, are very positive at the same time for networking among students, the best of all faculties, because they are the future leaders who should lead the Republic of Macedonia", Smiljkov said.

This is the fourth in a series of planned meetings of the President with the students of all universities in the country. Throughout the year, President Ivanov received the best social science students from the University "St. Cyril and Methodius" - Skopje, University "Goce Delchev" - Stip and the South East European University in Tetovo.

The idea of these meetings is to stress that education becomes highest priority. Moreover, President Ivanov, with many activities, supports the improvement of the students as well as their successes, primarily through the School for Young Leaders, which is organized every year under his auspices and with awarding the title "The Best Youngest Scientist".