STRENGTHENING OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN BOSNIA PROJECT COMPLETED

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (January 20,2008) – Representatives of the European Commission and the Council of Europe and the Bosnian state institutions marked in the Bosnian capital Sarajevo the completion of a joint project “Strengthening of Higher Education in Bosnia”.

On that occasion, an entire-day conference followed and the results of the projects were presented. The project was initiated in December 2005. It was based on the seven adopted strategy and guidelines for implementation of the Bologna reforms in Bosnia.

These documents were developed by workgroups which included all public universities and students in Bosnia, as well as state and entity ministries and six international experts from the European Council.

The documents were adopted by the Bosnian Government on December 27 2007.

The project focused on three important sectors – recognition of diplomas and study periods, ensuring quality and credentials, as well as the frame for higher education qualifications in Bosnia.

The Bosnian Minister of Civil Affairs Sredoje Novic emphasized at a press conference that this act marked the first phase of completion of the project. He holds important that the seven ministries of education in Bosnia unanimously adopted the document.

This document became obliging for all the universities in Bosnia. Novic expects that in the first four moths of 2008, agency for higher education should be formed, as well as the diploma recognition centre. Money has been ensured from the Bosnian state budget for that purpose.

He also expects that the higher education reform in Bosnia should be completed by the end of 2010 and emphasized that most of the work remains in the hands of universities and professors.

Council of Europe representative Sjur Berger is of the opinion that the implementation of this project will enable Bosnia to become a full-time member of the European system of education. Also, its importance is seen in the fact that a quality higher education is the key for progress and future of Bosnia.

He added, however, that the most difficult part of the implementation of the reform is to come and that the Bosnian state should fully support the implementation at all levels.