Ministry for Information Society and Telecommunications
Nikšić and Cetinje, Montenegro, 2014, April 24
Ministry for Information Society and Telecommunications marked the international "Girls in ICT" day, which is traditionally celebrated on the last Thursday in the month of April by the member states of the International Telecommunications Union. On this occasion, representatives of the Ministry and the University of Montenegro visited the gymnasiums in Nikšić and Cetinje and held lessons about the benefits of education in the field of ICT. Lessons were held by Ms. Sandra Veličković, Secretary of the Ministry for Information Society and Telecommunications, Biljana Rondović PhD, professor at the Faculty of Economy and Mirjana Begović, Head of the Department at the Ministry.
Secretary of the Ministry for Information Society and Telecommunications Ms. Sandra Veličković indicated during the lecture that this day is celebrated across the globe with the aim to encourage young women to educate themselves and build a career in the field of ICT.
"The mission and the purpose of celebrating this day is not related to the gender equality, but in the background of the entire event lies, so called, "smart economy", and the fear that the lack of staff in ICT at one point may affect the development of technology. Technology changes our lives, but it also affects the needs of the labor market. Global deficit of ICT professionals in the next few years is estimated to exceed the figure of two million. In this sector, in the European Union, in February of this year there were more than 400 thousand of empty vacancies. Next year there will be more than 500 thousand, and in 2020 more than 900 thousand, according to a survey of the European Commission. Only 30% of the 7 million people who work in the ICT sector are women. Recently, the European Commissioner for Digital Agenda, Neelie Kroes, warned that according to the latest survey of the European Commission, small number of women in the ICT sector will cost the EU billions of euro and endanger its competitiveness", said Sandra Veličković.
"Also, recent research has shown that, if the number of women working in the ICT sector was equal to the number of men, European gross domestic product (GDP) would be increased for about nine billion euro yearly. Everyone in the labor market is well aware of the difference between being offered a job as an expert, and being forced to look for a job. In this context the choice of future profession should be rational, and along with the love for your job, it is necessary to choose a profession that will provide a safe existence for you, and ICT field offers such security" - said Veličković.
Professor of economy at the University of Montenegro, Biljana Rondović, emphasized the importance of commitment to study and build a career in the ICT sector. The need for ICT specialists is huge and still no company or institution can function without IT experts.
"You will be at crossroads regarding choice of profession, soon in the next year, and, when deciding, be sure to consider the options the job offers. Remember that a lawyer, as well as an economist, must use modern technology and keep step with the times", said Rondović.
"After finishing my studies at the Faculty of Science in Podgorica and having experience in programming and database design, I think it is completely wrong to characterize the ICT profession as strictly "male", in fact I'm sure that only "feminine principles" such as imagination, the ability to solve problems, creativity and patience, can contribute to your computer coding, for example, increasing the quality and functional application. Technology is too important to be left to men only", said Head of the Department at the Ministry for Information Society and Telecommunications, Mira Begović.
