In the UNSA Rectorate, on Friday, 4 July 2014, the press conference was held, focused on two pressing issues:
• The process of accreditation of the University of Sarajevo
• Obligations of the founders for the implementation of the teaching and scientific process at the University of Sarajevo.
UNSA Rector, Prof. Dr. Muharem Avdispahic, Dr. h. c., Prof. Dr. Faruk Mekic, UNSA Vice-Rector for Research, Prof. Dr. Ugo Vlaisavljevic, Vice-Rector for International Relations, Prof. Dr. Dzenan Djonlagic, Vice-Rector for Finance, Samir Arnautovic, student Vice-Rector, Professor. Pjer Zalica, UNSA Academy of Performing Arts Dean, Prof. Dr. Almira Hadzovic-Dzuvo, UNSA Faculty of Medicine Dean, Prof. Dr. Nihad Fejzic, UNSA Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Dean and Ahmed Nurkovic, UNSA SPUS President attended the conference.
In address, Rector Avdispahic introduced numerous activities implemented by the University of Sarajevo in order to become an important player in the relevant higher education and participant in the European Research Area, including the conditions under which these activities are being realized.
“After the visit by the Commission for quality assessment, revision and giving recommendations on University of Sarajevo accrediting, organized from 30 June to 3 July and daylong programs filled with working meetings in which participated representatives of all stakeholders on 1 and 2 July, whose aim was to check compliance with the prescribed nine criteria, we expect that, on the submission of a written report by the Commission, the University of Sarajevo enters the 2014/2015 academic year as an accredited higher education institution“ said Rector Avdispahic.
When speaking on the issue of the founder’s debt for implementing the teaching and scientific processed at the University of Sarajevo, Vice-Rector Djonlagic stressed that the founder’s outstanding debt to the University of Sarajevo is over 20 million.
“On the basis of regular monthly subsidies from the Sarajevo Canton’s Budget to UNSA, the Sarajevo Canton Government has not fulfilled its obligations from November 2013, as well as the obligations of from April, May and June 2014" said Vice-Rector Djonlagic.
At the regular 23rd UNSA Senate Session of 25 June 2014, at the proposal of the UNSA Committee for Finance, and with positive opinion of the UNSA Sciences/Arts groups, the Proposal for a Decision on Amending the Decision on Agreement Granting to the Amount of Participation Fees, Registration Fees and Other Study Costs at the University of Sarajevo and its member institutions was confirmed.
The legal basis for establishing the draft decision is contained in Articles 128, 130 and 131 of the Law on Higher Education in Sarajevo Canton-consolidated text (KS Official Gazette no. 42/13), Articles 136, 205, 208 of the UNSA Statute.
At the press conference, it was emphasized that in accordance with the Law on Higher Education in Sarajevo Canton -consolidated text (KS Official Gazette no. 42/13), the Proposal for a Decision was established at the 23rd UNSA Senate session and forwarded to the Sarajevo Canton Government for the final approval.
The reason for establishing the draft Decision Amending is contained in the need to ensure the minimum conditions for the efficient performance of the core business of the University, which is not possible to realize from the existing budgetary resources. The current budgetary resources are sufficient to ensure a part of salary and benefits for academic staff and other employees in the higher education institution, part of the material costs, minimal technical equipping higher education institutions, working and living standard of the students. Since budget funds for these purposes are inadequate and extra-budgetary funds limited by the present Decision, as such they are not sufficient for normal implementation of curricula within registered activities.
The legal solutions are designed on sensible approach to the population of full-time students who are financed from the KS Budget. For these reasons, the price adjustments for items from 1 to 22 in the above Decision are not proposed.
In the focus of the amending Decision are self-financed students from all cycles, as well those students who have not fulfilled their obligations regularly (students who failed a year), as well as the category of students of foreign nationals. In the account were also taken the peculiarities of the Arts group that within the implementation of compulsory entrance examination has considerable material costs that have been recognized, taken into account and adjusted.
