FINKI is my choice

“My experience at FINKI so far has helped shape my personality. As a student from a private secondary school, I had quite high expectations regarding the quality of teaching and the organization of the Faculty itself. I can freely say that I was somewhat skeptical because this is a new faculty. However, the very fact that it is a new faculty contributed to great enthusiasm among both professors and students to improve the quality of teaching and the services used by students. We should not deceive ourselves into thinking that we are going in blindly. FINKI also nurtures the tradition of the professors who were previously at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and the Faculty of Electrical Engineering. They are recognized professors in their fields of expertise in Macedonia and abroad. It is also commendable that many professors are available for contact with students. A major advantage is that FINKI has so far published a large number of calls for scholarships, exchanges, course attendance, internships, etc. Such opportunities are rare at other faculties, and I can proudly say that FINKI is the best faculty of informatics in the country, educating leaders in the field of informatics. The programme is well designed, with many innovations that were not previously present in teaching. There are also many profiles through which students can enrich themselves and deepen their knowledge in the area that interests them.“

Stevica Bozhinovski
first-year student, KNI study programme

„My name is Mabela, and I am a student at perhaps one of the most promising faculties in our country. As time passes, I increasingly realize that all the effort I invested in becoming part of a selected group of people was truly worthwhile. It may still be too early to speak about where each of us will be in the future, but I know for certain that FINKI deserves my trust.The knowledge gained here gives me the opportunity to become a successful woman in the field of informatics, capable of facing every challenge, while membership in student organizations, social gatherings and sports competitions makes me a well-rounded person and significantly broadens my view of the world. The road to success is never easy, but I accept the challenge. They say that we decide our own future, and I am proud of my choice.“

Mabela Atanasovska
first-year student, KNI study programme

“They say that student years are among the most beautiful experiences a person can have. They also say that the contacts we make during our studies shape our future professional life; that we carry them with us, first as colleagues at the Faculty and later as collaborators and friends.In that respect, the year I have spent so far as a FINKI student has been one of the best experiences I have had. It was excellent to study with so many talented and intelligent students, among whom there was always someone to collaborate with on a project, help with studying, or simply enjoy a pleasant time and conversation. It was exciting to attend lectures on interesting topics from different fields, delivered by top-level staff.

Most of all, however, it was incredible that all of us were given the opportunity to personalize our experience at the Faculty.

The teaching itself was dynamic enough to keep the interest of advanced students, yet delivered in a way that even those who had never encountered informatics before could follow it successfully. The staff were friendly and always willing to help students who had difficulties with the material, while also involving students with greater knowledge in projects and activities that both interested them and challenged the limits of their knowledge. For example, I personally had the opportunity to participate in a project in the field of computer security, for which I received generous support and assistance from the staff responsible for that area. In addition, when a group of first-year students and I expressed the desire to work on a project that we believed would improve the student experience for all students at the Faculty, the Faculty not only supported us – it provided all the conditions we needed for work, from access to one of the computer laboratories to the infrastructure required for the application and advice on some of its more challenging parts.

Most importantly, the Faculty’s connections with industry, as well as the large number of job announcements I receive through it as a FINKI student, directly enabled me to find my current job as a software engineer in a multinational company. That same company employs a large number of students and graduates from the Faculty because it recognizes the quality of the knowledge we acquire here.”

Dino Bojadzhievski
first-year student, KNI study programme

“Given that we live in the 21st century, the century of progressive technology, computing was one of the reasons I enrolled at FINKI. It is a faculty that will enable me, on the one hand, to master computer engineering and, on the other, to use the knowledge I gain to fit into the world of informatics, which is very much present in everyday life, as an engineer in one of our advanced companies. My interest in this faculty and in the courses in my curriculum helped me pass my exams so far with a solid average. With the help of one of the opportunities made available by FINKI, I applied for an Erasmus scholarship and received it. In the next 2012/2013 academic year, I will continue my studies at one of the strongest universities in Europe, Mälardalen University in Sweden, where I expect to gain even greater experience and knowledge that will later help me further my education here and build my professional career.”

Monika Panoska
second-year student, IKI study programme

“What does FINKI mean to me, and what has it taught me this year?FINKI – a world of challenges and opportunities. Teamwork with colleagues and the availability of professors and assistants helped me overcome the obstacles I faced more easily. I realized how important it is to be part of a top team with a motivating and positive atmosphere. It inspired many ideas and enabled us, the first-year students, to realize them with the wholehearted support of the professors. That does not mean there were no problems. But the Dean’s Office was there throughout the entire academic year, continuously keeping pace with us and striving to meet all our requests and needs – we organized student forums where we raised problems, discussed them and solved them together. We kept improving and celebrated our successes. It taught me that anything can be achieved with enough passion and energy. Therefore, be INITIATORS. Be ENTHUSIASTS. Believe and create. Success is greater when the challenge is greater.

I wish you success.”

Tina Ranikj
first-year student

Jovan Andonov
First-year student, Computer Science and Engineering programme.