On December 3, 2015, at the University Business Academy in Novi Sad, a press conference was held on the project entitled "Accession of Serbia to the EU", which has recently been approved by the European Commission. The project is within the framework of Jean Monnet Modules, Erasmus + program, and is co-funded by the European Union and the Education, Audiovisual and Cultural Agency.

The project was initiated in 1989 and was named after Jean Monnet, one of the "architects" of the European Union. One of its main priorities has been the introduction of European integration studies at universities by providing support for initiatives coming from HE institutions.

The "Jean Monnet" project at the University Business Academy started on September 1 and will last until 31 August 2018. During the period of three years, it will include four series of lectures, three workshops and one research project. It is important to mention that this is the only project from the Republic of Serbia approved in this Call for Proposals, so obviously this is yet another confirmation of reputation and expertise of staff at the University Business Academy, Faculty of Economics and Engineering Management, in the field of European integrations. Approved trainers on the module, who will be working with the students, are Prof. Vladimir Medović, Ph.D. (project manager) and Prof. Jelena Vapa-Tankosić, Ph.D.

At the press conference, Dr. Vladimir Medović, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Economics and Engineering Management in Novi Sad (part of the University Business Academy in Novi Sad), used the opportunity to present the project in greater detail, together with its main objectives and activities.

Dr. Medović explained that the project was envisaged as a multidisciplinary one and that it entails two main components: economic and legal. The first two series of lectures will cover legal issues of the accession of Serbia to the European Union. The other two series of lectures will be related to the effects of implementation of the agreement on stabilization, gains and losses stemming from this agreement, as well as the effects of the introduction of euro as the official currency in our neighboring countries. All these parameters will be analyzed bearing in mind the interest of the Republic of Serbia and the whole Western Balkans region.

The project aims to encourage interest among various target groups, which primarily refers to students, young professionals, journalists, employees in public companies, members of non-governmental organizations, and other organizations/associations and individuals who are in need of relevant knowledge related to the accession process of Serbia to the EU. This project will utilize interactive teaching methods rather than formal and old-fashioned academic teaching, while providing students with the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the domain of Serbia's accession to the European Union. During the course, students are expected to gain relevant and solid knowledge in this area, which can be further improved and built on in their careers, but even more importantly - they will get a sound basis in terms of relevant education and training, as opposed to the hearsay information often appearing in some media.

Dr. Medović also stressed that what sets this university apart from many others is the timely integration of all modern trends in teaching and educational work coming from world renowned higher education institutions. The examples Dr. Medović used to support his point were numerous visits of highly reputable speakers, ambassadors of foreign countries in Serbia, which all provide students, teaching assistants, university associates and professors with essential information about the process of integration of the Republic of Serbia to the European Union.

It is worth mentioning that so far the University Business Academy has also hosted many foreign students, with taken courses, exams and conducted scientific/research being recognized in their home countries.

To the question whether our community is aware of these facts, and if so - to what extent, Dr. Medović gives the following answer:

- I think that our society, as a whole, is not sufficiently aware. It is a happy circumstance that such a possibility has been well designed here (at our University) and that we have started with such activities before the others… so looking from that perspective - it is really a great pleasure to be working at the University which is the leader of such a process.