Emerging trends in SerbiaA recent G20 summit has given some hope and opportunity to overcome financial crisis. We would be rather skeptic on this issue at a moment but would, however, prefer to comment that it could be possible sooner or later. The continuous presence Boris Tadić's democratic government and the extradition of war criminals to Hague tribunal is a clear signal sent by Serbia to international community particularly European union members. This further paves the way for Serbia to enter in European union (http://www.vest.si/2009/06/09/ivica-dacic/). Still, there is significant percentage of the population who want Serbia to remain in neutral position to play a strategic balance between Europe and Russia. For Serbia, however there is no other option rather than joining European Union in order to bring scientific exchange, transfer of knowledge, mobility of people and so forth.
On the scientific level, new era has already begun with innovation of Nikola Tesla in the area of electromagnetic field. From time to time in the history, such great minds are born to equip the rest of the fellows with simplifying surviving. Among all the prominent figures who occupied forefront line as a revolutionary scientists, we should probably call him a super-genius. By virtue of the amazing discoveries and inventions, which he showered upon the world, Tesla becomes one of the most resplendent flashes that has ever brightened and scroll human advancement. As a remembrance of him, the government of Serbia established a marvelous monument, similar to the one in Canada and identical to the one in the USA at the Niagara Falls, in front of The Engineering Faculty. Moreover, Belgrade International Airport is called ofter him and you would also find his portrait on a 100 Serbian dinars bill and on a 20 Serbian dinars coin.
All this has inspired ample of researchers to do to something great in their lives – especially those talented professors and students that you find quite a lot around here. You would find a lot of students eager to study long periods of hours in libraries and different training institutions to acquire depth understanding and knowledge – just like in all the western countries. If you gave this people the worlds' most recent equipment and literature, it would probably be very interesting to watch how far they would come in terms of innovation. Concerning this, academic and scientific conditions are becoming more favorable in comparison to the last twenty years. Civil war and economical sanctions to Serbia were, we could say, a very unfortunate event, which had lead far more scientific progress behind.
In addition, there are certain European projects ongoing in those laboratories, which are making scientific contribution in the form of original research paper. Though, some of the research laboratories have very old equipment from the Tito's time. Still, no one could have ever imagined that Tito's Period was apparently fruitful and progressive. It really seems like that in Tito's time Serbian economy was actually in good position, which is the reason why science leaped forward at that time rapidly.
Developmental support and donations from different countries (The USA being on the top of the list) from all around the globe are one of the reasons why people on all the different areas have much better chances to reach (at least part of) their full potentials. Still, there is also a clear fraction of professors who might not be in position to agree with the idea of Serbia joining the European Union and follow the idea of capitalism. For instance, making publications using high tech equipment will need them to be extremely well familiar with new equipments and demands and they will have to work very hard. In contrast, highly educated and trained workforce is strive for success in this cutting edge of research and waiting the country to move ahead faster.
Generally, it seems like not only regional, but also international integration is becoming a very important issue nowadays. Most of the professors, however, have abroad-working experiences in their respective field. Significant number of scholarships for highly motivated scholars to pursue career in Serbia have also became available – especially in Belgrade and Novi Sad. International students (most of them coming from the neighboring countries) and foreigners in Belgrade are becoming more and more common. There are all kinds of things and events like Universiade in July of 2009 that bring them. On a long-term basis the options to undertake studies in English, are probably the most attractive. Furthermore, The University of Belgrade offers courses in pretty affordable prices. In comparison to Slovenian capitol Ljubljana, different semi formal and formal educational programs (summer schools for example), are going on very frequently as well. Overall, we could say educational options are wider in any aspect, as they probably grow with the size of the market.
One of the most prestigious and most vital roles in Serbian science plays medicine, as their main goal is attributed to improve the health care system in the country. From this reason, studies for example for masters' degree in biomedical sciences as well as different degrees of Doctor of Biomedical sciences are very complex. This offers students to create their own study program, which is, according to modern theories on education, one of the most motivating principles concerning studying.
Furthermore, The Medicine Faculty of Belgrade is excellent and widely recognized. Inviting guest lecturers from every corner of the world as a proof of scientific exchange of idea is routine work in the institute. As a result of that, large number of researchers is in position to communicate their findings in international current trend journal. Faculty also organizes large number of symposiums and conferences. One of the upcoming events is "The 1st International Symposium of Clinical and Applied Anatomy (ISCAA)". It will be held on September 17-19, 2009. This exemplifies how dedicated the faculties can be in the scientific advancement. Since faculty comes in direct contact with the patients, they should have a very good idea about cultural safety and cultural competence. The availability of most modern technology such as magnetic resonance imaging is evidence that faculties of medical sciences really are updated with recent development of technology that upgrades services for general population.
Moreover, researches on the fields of basic sciences are also contributing a major part in the field of development of science. Departments that are active for these pursuits are faculties of sciences, faculties of technology and engineering sciences. These faculties are not only producing high quality students, but they are also making every effort to find a cure for human ailments and to preserve ecosystem. Moreover, the administration of multidisciplinary science at the University of Belgrade has added a lot of value to tackle the existing problems concerning plant and animal in broader sense.
Avtor:
Jan Flac Dhruba Pathak, Msc
University of Ljubljana University of Belgrade
Podjetni raziskovalci 
