On March 16, 2023, an Open Day was held at the Vocational Educational and Medical School in Vršac, which is the only educational institution of this type that conducts the program in the Romani language.
The event was organized by REF Serbia and aimed to promote education among Roma students, as well as encouraging them to enrol in higher education institutions in Serbia. It was organized in cooperation with the Office for Roma Inclusion, and was intended for high school students of Roma ethnicity, as well as for the other young Roma from the territory of AP Vojvodina, who are interested to pursue their education.
Potential students had the opportunity to learn about the program, to meet the lecturers, as well as to visit school premises, including the students’ dormitory. Moreover, they’ve received detailed information about the school, the program, as well as about the requirements for the enrolment from Dr. Danica Veselinov, the principal of the school, as well as from professor Dr. Marija Aleksandrović, Head of the Romani language program. On the top of that, they were informed about the great opportunities ahead of them, in case they successfully complete the program. Additionally, Ms Mihajlović explained the details about the scholarships offered by the Serbian Government and Mr. Adi Sinani, the Program Manager, encouraged them to follow their dreams and pursue a better future, while emphasizing the importance of education and maintenance of the Roma culture and the Roma tradition, all in line with the modern world.
The participants had the opportunity to hear testimonies of successful students and alumni of the School, who are now highly respected members of the academic society of the Republic of Serbia, working as journalists and editors at the Public Broadcasting service, educators or coordinators for the Roma matters, etc.
“Being a woman in the Balkans is difficult, and being a Roma woman is even more difficult. We are all aware of that. I successfully completed the program of the Vocational College in Vršac and it completely changed my life. This is an opportunity that is available to all the Roma men and women. Let’s use it!” – said Đulizara Ramadanović, a student, while Zius Šaćirović, an alumni of the School, pointed out that it is very important that every Roma man and woman who gets an education should be an example to other members of the Roma community.
This initiative was the part of the project “Employment Empowerment of Young Roma – phase II” which is supported through the program of the German financial cooperation, and is implemented by the German Development Bank, KfV, on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Germany – the Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
