The Fifth Conference on Higher Education Reforming at the University of Sarajevo on topic :
“Further Trends in Reforming Higher Education in Accordance with Bologna Principles”
The two-day Fifth Conference on Higher Education Reforming at the University of Sarajevo on topic : “Further Trends in Reforming Higher Education in Accordance with Bologna Principles” was officially opened at the amphitheater of the Faculty of Machine Engineering, University of Sarajevo on April 14.
The aim of this Conference is to present experience and past work at the higher education institutions, University of Sarajevo in accordance with the Bologna principles, including coordinating of scientific-educational, artistic and educational contents to the widest area of Europe.
This Conference should point out the fact that for the full implementation of the provisions of the Bologna Declaration it is necessary to establish a system of financing higher education that will enable the harmonization of the BH higher education system and its integration into the European scientific and educational trends.
Prof. Dr Slavenka Vobornik, Vice-Rector for Teaching, University of Sarajevo, was a Chairperson of the Working Committee, who has expressed her wishes for a successful work of the Conference and confirmed the continuing commitment of the University of Sarajevo for reforms in higher education, and stated that she had was certain that this two-day Conference would help in reviewing all the problems in this area and set guidelines and priorities for future action.
Mr. Fikret Musić, Prime Minister of the Sarajevo Canton greeted the attendees and in his address said that it was evident that many of the obligations arising from the educational reforms had been carried out, but it took work to integrate the University of Sarajevo and to adopt legislation in the areas of funding and areas of criteria for funding higher education institutions.
"It is necessary to devote to politics and the optimal enrollment versus the labor market and ensure conditions for the realization of attractive programs" said Prime Minister Musić, as well as that a fundamental problem in higher education was the aforesaid of uniform legislation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as co-financing and harmonization of higher education in BiH.
Mr. Emir Suljagić, Minister of Education and Science of the Sarajevo Canton in his addressing said that when talking about higher education in the Canton of Sarajevo one must be aware that this was the most serious resource that this Canton had and that it was the most serious resource that this country had, and had stressed out three very important processes that need to be completed.
"The first is necessary changing of legislative framework and changes to the Act, perhaps even writing a completely new Act on Higher Education, then the process of integration of the University of Sarajevo and the accreditation process that should allow BiH students to be competitive in the market beyond the borders of Bosnia and Herzegovina" explained Minister Suljagić.
According to the Conference's First Day Programe, the following plenary papers were presented:
• Prof. Dr Faruk Čaklovica, Rector of the University of Sarajevo: Higher Education Financing Within the Context of Enhancing The Quality Governing And University Integration Systems • Prof. Dr Neven Budak, University of Zagreb: Doctoral Programs and The European Research Area – Experiences From The University Of Zagreb • Prof. Dr Cyntia McDermott, Antioch University, Los Angeles: The Enhancement of Learning Processes’ Quality through the Defining and Outcome Change -
• Prof. Dr Samir Arnautović, Vice-Rector of the University of Sarajevo: Ethical Integrity and Academic Communities’ Dignity in the Lights of Reforming Processes and Wider Social Movements
• Prof. Dr Bakir Mehić, Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences: Quality Assurance within the Process of Continuous University Education
• Adnan Bajrić, President of the Students Parliament : The Role of a Student within the Ongoing Bologna Process at the University of Sarajevo
In his plenary paper, Rector Prof. Dr Faruk Čaklovica was speaking about higher education financing pointing are the fact that higher education is asymmetrical and decentralized by entities and cantons in FBiH, which needs the university financing harmonization.
“Therefore, a significant attention must be paid to the university financing, even when it lacks political will, primarily out of reasons that HE in Bosnia and Herzegovina is in the stage of undergoing the Bologna Reform and demands increased transparent financing which is one of key indicators of studying quality. With actual budgetary and own revenues we should understand that it is not adequate financial support for the scientific-teaching process at the University of Sarajevo. The Bologna criteria and standards are a concrete, not abstract, and necessary financial assets for supporting this reformation should be also stabile.“ Speec - Prof. Dr Faruk Čaklovica, Rector of the University of Sarajevo
The work of the Second Day of the Conference, 15 April, will be organized according to academic council groups at following faculties:
1. Academic Council of Medical Sciences Group : Faculty of Pharmacy
2. Academic Council of Technical Sciences Group : Mutual amphitheater of Faculty of Architecture and Faculty of Civil Engineering,
3. Academic Council of Social Sciences Group: Faculty of Criminalities, Criminology and Security Studies,
4. Academic Council of Humanities: Faculty of Sports and Physical Education,
5. Academic Council of Natural and Bio-Mathematical Sciences Group: Faculty of Forestry,
6. Academic Council of Arts: Ceremonial Hall of the Rectorate.
