Skopje, 29 July 2025 (MIA) - Starting next year, students will begin moving into the “Kuzman Josifovski-Pitu” student dormitory in Skopje, currently under reconstruction since spring 2024.

The government, with the support from the European Union through the German Development Bank (KfW), is financing the renovation of nine student dormitories across the country. The first phase includes “Kuzman Josifovski-Pitu” and “Stiv Naumov” dormitories in Skopje.

During Tuesday’s site visit to the “Kuzman Josifovski-Pitu” student dormitory, Minister of Education and Science Vesna Janevska, accompanied by Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, stated that the renovated facilities will be energy-efficient. She emphasized that the goal is to raise the standard of student life by providing proper, not substandard, living and learning conditions.

“The reconstruction includes major building works along with improvements to plumbing, sewage, energy, mechanical systems, and the addition of solar panels to minimize energy use and carbon emissions. Rooms for students are being equipped to the highest standards, with premium-quality windows. Additionally, smart regulation for heating and lighting is planned to optimize energy efficiency,” Janevska said.

She said that the project has three phases. The second will renovate dormitories in Ohrid, Shtip, Prilep, and the “Tome Stefanovski-Senikj” in Skopje; the third includes “Goce Delchev” in Skopje and the dormitory in Bitola. Completion is expected by the end of the government’s term.

“This means that all dormitories in the country will be covered. Each phase is estimated to cost approximately €17 million. So far, we have secured €30 million to complete the ongoing projects. The government is dedicated to improving student welfare. Although the process will take time and be carried out in phases, students in Macedonia will finally enjoy proper conditions for living and learning,” Janevska said.

PM Mickoski emphasized that this is a significant project that, as he put it, “had long been stuck in bureaucratic labyrinths and procedures.”

“It has finally been unblocked, thanks to the great effort by the Ministry. I believe everything the Minister outlined will come to pass. What matters to us is completing this project and finally providing students with more than decent accommodation conditions. From what we saw inside, compared to what it was like before, the difference is huge. I can only wish them successful academic years, and for the project to be completed quickly so that students can begin moving in. As the Minister said, we expect move-ins to begin gradually over the course of next year. As a government, our goal is to deliver projects and reforms because that’s what the citizens expect from us to build, not like in the past when governments were stealing from the people and achieved nothing,” Mickoski said.

Photo: MIA