The International Summer School “Sustainable Development of the Yachting and Cruise Industry” was officially closed on Saturday, 4 July 2026, at the Blue Economy Training Centre of the Institute of Marine Biology, University of Montenegro.
Organised within the Interreg IPA South Adriatic project “High LEVEL and market-respondent competences for a blue and digitalized ‘Smart and skilled South Adriatic’ - SKILLS”, the Summer School brought together students and young professionals for an intensive cross-border learning programme focused on the sustainable development of the yachting and cruise industry.
The closing ceremony included the delivery of certificates of completion to 18 participants who successfully fulfilled the programme requirements. The certificates confirm completion of a cross-border Higher Education Learning Module, with 90 learning hours and 3 ECTS credits.
The Summer School is accredited by the Agency for Quality Assurance in Higher Education of Montenegro, based on the decision of 29 April 2026, for a period of five years starting from 29 April 2026.
The accredited Special Training Programme is implemented by the Faculty of Maritime Studies Kotor, University of Montenegro, under the title “Sustainable Development of the Yachting and Cruise Industry”. The programme belongs to the scientific field of Maritime Affairs and Blue Economy and is delivered through a combined teaching format, including theoretical lectures, field teaching, demonstration exercises and independent participant work.
Upon successful completion, participants acquire a Level VI professional qualification under the Montenegrin National Qualifications Framework: Professional Associate for Sustainable Development of Nautical and Cruise Tourism Ports. The programme has a planned duration of 90 hours, carries 3 ECTS credits, and is designed for a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 40 participants.
Admission requirements include active student status and knowledge of English for students, while other participants are required to have completed at least four-year secondary education and to have knowledge of English.
The programme covered seven key thematic areas: sustainable development of nautical and cruise tourism; contemporary management of marinas and cruise ports; safety and security in marinas and cruise ports; planning and development of marina and cruise port infrastructure; assessment of main navigational parameters; smart and digital marinas and cruise ports; and green marinas and cruise ports.
During the Summer School, participants attended lectures, seminars, practical exercises, field visits and case-study activities. The programme included visits to the Port of Kotor, Porto Montenegro, Marella Explorer 2, Aquarium Boka and the laboratories of the Institute of Marine Biology, as well as practical demonstrations related to navigation, monitoring, digital technologies, environmental protection and cruise operations.
This page also serves as an online certificate verification page, allowing confirmation of issued certificates through the QR code / online check system.
The accreditation decision is available in Montenegrin, together with an unofficial English translation:
Accreditation decision in Montenegrin: LINK
Unofficial English translation: LINK
Through this final ceremony, the SKILLS project marked the successful completion of the Kotor Summer School and reaffirmed its commitment to practical, accredited and cross-border education, supporting the development of new competencies for a smarter, greener and more sustainable South Adriatic Blue Economy.
The programme of the Summer School is available at the following LINK.
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The list of graduated students (online check of the Certificate):
Alsi Taflaj
Amanda Zeqiri
Andrea Mazzeo
Andrija Grubač
Dritan Lloçi
Fabrizio Nicola De Leonardis
Francesca Orlando
Gaetano Fioriello
Gianfranco Baccarella
Iva Kljajevic
Jesmina Velaj
Maria Teresa Manchisi
Marko Sinđić
Matera Marika
Milena Simonović
Tedi Kajtalli
Thomas Francione
Vuk Roganović