The Third B&H Rectors’ Conference Session was held in the University of Sarajevo on Wednesday, 17 December 2014. University of Sarajevo Rector, Prof. Dr. Muharem Avdispahic, HonDSc presided over the session.
The following representatives of public universities in B&H attended the session: Prof. Dr. Muharem Avdispahic, HonDSc, University of Sarajevo Rector, Prof. Dr. Sead Pasic, “Dzemal Bijedic” University of Mostar Rector, Prof. Dr. Enver Halilovic, University of Tuzla Rector, Ass. Prof. Dr. Dejan Bokonjic, University of East Sarajevo Vice-Rector and Prof. Dr. Ugo Vlaisavljevic, University of Sarajevo Vice-Rector. During the session’s thematic parts, representatives of the US Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Mr. Eric Catalfamo, Attaché for Culture and Education and Mrs. Elizabeta Delalic, Expert Advisor for Culture and Education, Dr. Fabio Mazzolini, CERIC-ERIC Deputy Director for European and International Affairs, Mr. Ammar Mirascija, Head of the Department of Science, BH Ministry of Civil Affairs, were present.
Under the agenda item “Cooperation with US universities “, B&H Rectors’ Conference members proposed the continuing of cooperation based on the results of the BH representatives’ visit to the US public universities in June 2014. They also expressed their gratitude to the US Embassy in B&H representatives for their support in the implementation of this important project.
Mr. Eric Catalfamo thanked for the opportunity to address the B&H Rectors’ Conference members, as well as for the proposed measures. He pointed out that one of the US Embassy’s priorities is to strengthen the cooperation in the area of higher education. During the session, it was decided to initiate the signing of a Memorandum on Cooperation between the US Embassy in B&H and the B&H Rectors' Conference. A return visit of US university representatives was discussed.
During the session, Dr. Fabio Mazzolini, CERIC-ERIC Deputy Director for European and International Affairs, Mr. Amar Mirascija, Head of the Department of Science, BH Ministry of Civil Affairs presented the CERIC-ERIC consortium. In the session, the inclusion of B&H Rectors’ Conference members in the consortium was discussed. The CERIC-ERIC is a unique multidisciplinary and multitechnological consortium for research infrastructure focused on Central Europe, aiming to provide an open and integrated approach to research infrastructures and information for researchers from the world.
It was agreed to innovate an Agreement on mutual understanding and cooperation of all public universities in Bosnia and Herzegovina with the goal of developing the all inter-university cooperation forms in the scientific areas and other forms of the academic community’s engagement.
During the session, members discussed the further operating of the BIHARNET academic network and the need for an infrastructure program for investing in science and research, in order to increase the competitiveness of B&H research institutions when applying for international funding, for which purpose B&H will allocate an entry contribution.
The strategic need for the inclusion of B&H in GEANT - the pan-European network for research and education was underlined.
The Report on the work of the B&H Rectors’ Conference Session was unanimously adopted during the University of Sarajevo’s presidency and the Decision made that will make the University of Banja Luka the presiding institution in the next mandate of the B&H Rectors’ Conference.
