Skopje, 3 October 2025 (MIA) — Minister of Energy, Mining and Minerals Sanja Bozhinovska and state university's Faculty of Mechanical Engineering dean Zlatko Petreski signed a memorandum of cooperation on projects regarding energy, mechanical engineering and innovations as well as involving undergraduates in shaping the future of the energy sector, according to an official press release.

The document makes it possible for undergraduates to be given internships at the ministry and for the two institutions to jointly organize workshops and conferences.

"Our common goal is for young engineers to gain as much real-world experience as possible during their studies. The ministry's doors are open to them. Through internships, projects and dialogue, we want to create generations ready to meet the energy sector's future challenges," Minister Bozhinovska is quoted as saying in the release.

Petreski welcomed the new cooperation and internship opportunities for undergraduates, some of whom Bozhinovska met after the signing.

"Your voices are important," she told them. "You are the future drivers of energy and industrial development and our duty is to give you the space to grow and create."

Bozhinovska also noted that "more and more girls are deciding to become part of mechanical engineering and energy," which she said was "a strong signal that the future is in the hands of new generations who will bring fresh energy and equal perspectives."

According to the release, the Ministry of Energy, Mining and Minerals is strengthening its ties to the academic community — by signing memoranda of cooperation with institutions including the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technologies and Faculty of Computer Science and Engineering — to prevent young engineers from leaving the country and to encourage them to develop the country's energy sector. mr/