A working group has been formed to address obstacles hindering the completion of construction for the Faculty of Computer Science and Engineering (FINKI) and the Faculty of Physical Education, Sports and Health at “St. Cyril and Methodius” University in Skopje. Construction on the facilities began in 2015 but was halted in 2019.
A memorandum of cooperation was signed by key stakeholders, including the Minister of Education and Science, Prof. Dr. Vesna Janevska, the Rector of UKIM, Prof. Dr. Biljana Angelova, the Dean of the Faculty of Civil Engineering, Prof. Dr. Goran Markovski, and the Director of SOZR, Ivica Tomovski. The memorandum outlines individual and joint activities to ensure a clear path for the construction’s resumption on the university campus.
Minister Janevska highlighted the inactivity on the project for over six years, leading to expired construction documentation, changed legal solutions, and deterioration of the existing structures. The working group will assess the current situation, review technical documentation, and determine how to proceed with construction in line with the needs of the faculties.
The Ministry aims to overcome administrative hurdles by the end of the year, followed by a public procurement process to select a contractor for the revised project plans.
The Minister acknowledged the vital role the Dean of the Faculty of Civil Engineering will play in leading the working group, which may include experts from other faculties.
The original agreements from 2015 estimated the cost of FINKI at 784 million denars, with only 14% of the work completed and paid for (110 million denars). The Faculty of Physical Education, Sports and Health was projected to cost 432 million denars, with 16.8% of the project realized (73 million denars).
The Rector of UKIM and the Dean of the Faculty of Civil Engineering emphasized their commitment to assisting the ministry, stating that the unfinished facilities belong to the university, and preventing further decay and completing the investment is crucial.