Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program
Program Plan - DRAFT
Cornell University
FELLOW’S NAME: Milica
COUNTRY: Montenegro
DATE:January, 23
INTRODUCTORY CAREER STATEMENTS:
In less than 100 words, tell us what you have been doing with your life in the last five years.
I work in Vodacom, Project Executing Agency for implementation of investment and capacity development projects financed by the German Development Bank (KfW). I worked as Financial Analyst for 5 years and I have worked for 2 years as Project manager for water utility capacity building. My duties involve daily work with water utilities on the issues related to business planning, finance, commercial improvements, benchmarking, tariff adjustments and affordability studies. Also, I am participating as a local partner to Consultants in preparation of economic part of master plans or feasibility studies and I am providing all necessary support to international financial experts.
In less than 500 words, tell us what you hope to being doing with your life in the next five years.
I would like to continue working in water and waste water sector but additionally I would like to expend my field of interest and work on all other environmental issues (waste, air, land etc.). In that manner I would like to be a partner of Government of Montenegro on our way to the European Union. I would like to present my country in the European Union as a part of the Montenegro delegation and negotiation mission responsible for Chapter 27, the environment, especially related to the topic of the Urban Waste Water Directive.
My vision is to establish NGO Young water professionals and throw that organization working on improving situation in water sector in my country. I recognize that we need institutions outside the government that will support water and waste water sector in our region. I think that it is important to involve the young people in the sector and not just engineers but other professionals too. The water sector is important for the agriculture sector, energy sector, health sector, hydrometeorology sector etc. We have to bring all these professionals in one place to get them to start talking together. That NGO can be a partner of Government related to water and waste water issues in Montenegro.
My new idea is to establish my own recycling business in Montenegro. Problem of waste is huge global problem. In Montenegro only 5% of waste is recycling, and the EU average is over 50%. I recognize huge potential for business in this area in Montenegro. This topic is new but very interesting for me and now I am thinking in the direction to find adequate institution where I can gain practical knowledge about running recycling business. For the beginning I am interested to start with composting business.
Now tell us where you’d like to be ten years from now.
I would like to lead changes in environment issues in Montenegro throw institutions which I mentioned above. Facing with huge challenges in the past such as war in Balkan region, inflation, lack of electricity, water, food etc. citizens of Montenegro do not have sense of environment protection. So, the obligation of my and future generations is to increase awareness of people about importance of environment protection.
PROGRAM GOALS:
- Update my professional knowledge: (list courses, seminars, workshops, special campus lectures, affiliations, and networking with professionals in the U.S.)
a)Courses in Cornell:
In fall semester I was auditing or visiting next courses:
-Economics and environmental policy (PAM 5970)
-Regulation and infrastructure policy (PAM 5340)
In the spring semester I would like to audit or visit next courses:
-Cost-Benefit Analysis (PAM 3300/5300)
-Infrastructure financing (PADM 5755)
- Communication course ?
- Writing course ?
b)On line courses:
1.Negotiation course provided by University of Michigan
2.Climate change leadership provided by Uppsala University
3. eCornell – Project Leadership course
4. Project Development and Entrepreneurship enhancement workshop provided by Arizona State University
c)Trainings and workshops:
-PURC/World Bank International Training Program on Utility Regulation & Strategy – University of Florida(January 9 up to January 22) – I didn’t find financial support for this training
-Finger Lake Entrepreneurship Workshop
-Agreement Writing course providing by Cornell School of Industrial and Labor Relations (December 8 and 9)
-MBA Workshop provided by American Management Association (December 12 up to December 16)
-Project Management Essentials (November 16 and 17)
- Enhance my leadership skills: (List skills you would like to acquire as you envision yourself five and ten years from now in leadership positions and experiences you feel will enable you to practice those new skills and gain greater insight about leadership in general.
-Negotiation
-Project management
-Delegation management
-Active listening
-Time management
-Self-motivation
- Broaden my understanding and knowledge of development issues: (List special workshops, Enhancement Seminars, Global Leadership Forums, and other ways you will broaden your knowledge of global issues beyond your professional field.)
-The 7 habits of for highly effective people
-Toastmaster
-NAWC (National association of water companies) – NAWC Water Summit (October 2 up to October 4)
-Global Leadership Forum (October 22 up to 27)
-Negotiation enhancement course (March 23 up to March 27)
-Meetings with representatives of Ernst&Young and Morgan Stanley with whom I will talk about infrastructure financing in water and waste water sector
- Contribute to mutual understanding through contacts with citizens of the U.S. and participation in community and professional activities. (List possible community and volunteer activities you will participate in during your Fellowship Year.)
I am volunteering in Cornell Plantations every second Friday.
- Establish and enhance long-lasting productive partnerships with U.S. my counterparts : (List potential topics or activities you would like to pursue with your American peers during your Fellowship Year.)
- Time Line and Budget: (List month by month the activities outlined above with the start and end dates where applicable. List estimated costs for each one.)
No / Name of seminar, workshop etc / Fee / Accommodation / Transportation / Other / Total
1 / The 7 habits of for highly effective people / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0
2 / Toastmaster / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 70
3 / NAWC Water Summit / 0 / 200 / 400 / 100 / 700
6 / Agreement writing course / ? / 360 / 100 / 100 / 560
7 / MBA course / ? / 340 / 100 / 100 / 540
8 / Professional development meetings – March 17 / 0 / 50 / 100 / 0 / 150
9 / Negotiation workshop / 100 / 250 / 50 / 150 / 450