Respected Deputy Minister of Education and Science, Mr. Ristovski,
Respected representatives of City College,
Dear scholarship beneficiaries,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today is World Science Day for Peace and Development. It is a day when we are reminded that education and science have the power to change the human world view, and thus to change the world itself. By awarding the "Boris Trajkovski" scholarships, we achieve these two objectives.

The first objective is peace among peoples and nations. For already 4 years in a row, the scholarships that bear the name of the great peacemaker, the late President Trajkovski, contribute to the deepening of the trust between the Macedonian and the Greek society.

I avail myself of this opportunity to thank the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Macedonia and City College of Thessaloniki, International Faculty of the University of Sheffield from the UK for the excellent trilateral cooperation.

As committed partners with a noble goal, we invest jointly in young people who are the future of our region. I believe this will continue in the future, too.

Respected scholars,

The second objective is development of individuals, societies and states. Education exists for the sake of the student and its goal is to help students attain wisdom and through wisdom to develop and attain their goals.

As President of the Republic of Macedonia and as a university professor, I am proud to award these 20 scholarships for master studies at City College of Thessaloniki.

I would like to assure you that you are not randomly selected. You are the best among the best candidates who have applied at the annual competition.

Excellence is never accidental but is a result of determination, sincere effort, wise decisions and good habits. Decisions and habits, not coincidence, determine your future, and thus the future of the Republic of Macedonia. Today we reward you for your excellence, which is also your responsibility.

The Republic of Macedonia needs leaders in the field of business administration, management, marketing and finance. I am convinced that these studies will help you become high-ranking entrepreneurs and managers with a successful career.

"Educating the mind without educating the heart is not a real education", Aristotle said. With this thought, which I believe the late President Trajkovski would agree, I would like to finish by saying that your future success is your responsibility to the society which has invested in you. Your success is the success of the Republic of Macedonia too.

Thank you.