Skopje, 1 October 2025 (MIA) – The state university has once again opened its doors to a new generation of students "who believe that right here they will get the knowledge, skills and support to grow into leaders who will lead Macedonia in the 21st century," Minister of Education and Science Vesna Janevska said at the Ss. Cyril and Methodius University's freshman welcoming ceremony held Wednesday.

"You are at the right place, in your own country, at the oldest university, where professors have the answers to all of your questions," Janevska said.

The education minister said 10,000 students enrolled at all state universities nationwide. She also said she was happy the freshmen did not move abroad to pursue their education elsewhere and wished them good health and success in their studies.

Janevska said the government was improving the country's higher education by drafting a new Law on Higher Education and introducing more modern curricula as well as financial support measures "so you can have the conditions for a decent life here, in your own country."

She said the government subsidized student meals, PCs, tablets and laptops as well as free public transit for students in Skopje. She also said the state was offering 3,100 scholarships and encouraged students to use the newly available to them scholarly and scientific research tools Web of Science and Scopus. 

"Work on scientific and scholarly works together with your professors. This is very important," Janevska said.

State university rector Biljana Angelova said Ss. Cyril and Methodius University had enrolled 5,100 local and 400 foreign freshmen this academic year.

Angelova also said this was the first year that the state university would offer online services like admissions and registration for exams. "The new generation enrolling today will be completely digitized," she said. 

She said the Faculty of Economy had enrolled the most new students, 707, followed by the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Computer Science and Engineering.

University Student Assembly president Aleksandar Nikolovski encouraged freshmen, besides studying and making new friends, to join the assembly or other student organizations and take part in initiatives in their own interest.

"Remember, you are not alone. We are all here for you: Your older fellow students, professors, assistants, the school administration as well as yor friends and parents. Be brave enough to reach out for help when you need it," Nikolovski said. mr/

Фото: МИА