UPDATE Higher Education Reform Progress Report BOSNIA AND

UPDATE

Higher Education Reform Progress Report

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Field Proposal 2016 State of Play 2017 State of Play 2018 State of Play

Qualification Standards of qualifications and Detailed learning outcomes for 18 Relevant developments in 2018 and occupations in HE have been qualifications of 3 cycles across 6 are related to VET and adult Competences developed for selected number of sectors (Social sciences, education, and these include: (NQF/EQF) disciplines. Biomedicine and health, Natural - 22 Standards of qualifications sciences, Biotechnical sciences, and occupations in VET have 21 trainers for development of use Technical sciences, Humanities) been developed for 8 sectors (Health; Textile and lather; of the standards of qualifications have been developed and piloted at 6 Hospitality and tourism; and occupations have been public universities in BiH. Agriculture and food trained. processing; Forestry and A working version of a self- wood processing; Geodesy Preparations for the self- certification report has been and construction; Mechanical Progress towards certification and referencing developed that would be used in the engineering and metal establishing a NQF: process are ongoing. referencing process. processing; Economics, law, administration and trade) – progress of Inter- levels 2-5 of QF in Bosnia sectorial Preparations for establishment of Activities on drafting a referencing and Herzegovina. Commissions? the new Inter-sectoral commission report for LLL that include self- - The ECVET system has been for NQF are ongoing certification part are ongoing. developed and piloted for Preparations for establishment of the qualification levels in VET (2- General Assembly of RS adopted new Inter-sectoral commission for 5). the Conclusion for the Government NQF are ongoing. In the meantime, - 30 trainers about enhancement VET of Republic of Srpska to adopt and on a temporary basis, its role is qualifications have been implement the Qualification resumed by different WGs and SBs trained. Framework. within the projects dealing with development and implementation of *** CCNURCA TEMPUS project aimed the elements of the QF BiH. ICT Auxiliary Tool for QF in to redesign study programmes of Bosnia and Herzegovina for nursing according to the Directive BHQFHE TEMPUS project Access to Web Portals has been EC 2005/36 was successfully completed. 2

finished. New Erasmus+ project developed. “Qualifications Framework as BHQFHE TEMPUS project aimed Platform for the development of Final Activities on drafting a to develop QF for BiH is still learning outcomes based curriculum referencing report for LLL that ongoing. – QFP” has started on 15 October includes self-certification is 2016 and shall run until 14 October ongoing. 2017 – Coordinator: University of Limerick, Ireland – 15 partners from Establishment of the new BiH Intersectoral commission is in process. In the meantime, on a temporary basis, its role is resumed by different WGs and SBs within the projects dealing with development and implementation of the elements of the QF in BiH.

Appoint a committee composed of different ministries (education and As of 2016 BiH has joined the EQF labour sector), AG as a full member. agencies and employers to improve development of NQF

Develop the main guidelines for development of HE based on the VET framework

Quality HEABiH prepared a revision of some Higher Education Accreditation Assurance of the legal documents (i.g. Decision Agency of Republika Srpska on norms for determining minimal (HEAARS) prepared the second Agency for standards in higher education in cycle of accreditation including Higher Bosnia and Herzegovina) related to the development of the study Education and the accreditation process within its programs review within the Take further steps Quality competences and aligned them with process of re-accreditation of in introducing a Assurance of HEA is in a process of a revision of revised ESG. It past process of public institutions. national QA system: Bosnia and some of the legal documents consultation and it not yet adopted by HEAARS Steering Board adopted appropriate legal Herzegovina related to the accreditation process Steering board of Agency. Plan for implementing frameworks at level (HEA BiH) has within its competences recommendations of ENQA panel of entities and not supplied its HEAARS improved its procedures, of experts in order to achieve full cantons contribution to rulebooks and forms according to compliance with European the State of lessons learned during the first cycle Standards and Guidelines for Play in the of accreditation and according to Quality Assurance in Higher Report for 2018. recommendations given by ENQA Education (ESG). panel of experts who had visit HEAARS in middle of February 2017.

Apply results from Fulfilment of the SHEQA TEMPUS HEAARS implemented results of HEAARS is in a process of Tempus project: project (implementing strategic BIHTEK project by establishing further development and e.g. key management in HEIs) and benchmarking as an important quality implementation of STINT performance implementation of the results of the assurance method in HEAARS (Strengthening the

indicators, strategic projects. Results of CCNURCA rulebooks and procedures. HEAARS Internationalization at Higher management of TEMPUS project implemented in is also in a process of implementing Education in BiH) project. HEIs. the Entity of Republika Srpska. of lessons learned from ongoing STINT project from ERASMUS + program.

Prepared, but not yet adopted When it comes to higher Agency for Development of Higher education system of Republika Education and Quality Assurance Srpska, responsibilities and roles B&H act Decision on norms for of different participants are determining minimal standards in completely clear and defined. higher education in Bosnia and HEAARS have established high Herzegovina clearly defined roles level of cooperation between all and responsibilities of different stakeholders in the process of participants in the external quality accreditation. However, after Clarify division of assurance process HEIs and SPs thorough analysis of the first responsibilities in Roles and responsibilities of and improvement that process. cycle of accreditation process it the accreditation different participants in the external was perceived that biggest procedures, quality assurance procedures are This area still has a lot of place for bureaucratic obstacle is relation including clear but there is an area for improvement since there is numerous with Agency on BiH level. All accreditation improvement. misunderstandings of jurisdictions other activities in different funding and responsibilities of different processes of accreditation bodies in quality assurance in higher combined took less time than education systems in BiH. HEAARS simple administrative activities of considers that a way for improvement this Agency such as appointment is in an intensive cooperation and of the panel based on the involvement of all stakeholders into proposal of jurisdictional the process of development of authorities or updating the important documents such as criteria Register of accredited institutions. for accreditation, minimal standards It is clear that this is a result of in higher education etc. but also in fact that BiH Agency refused to defining agreements on mutual sign the agreement of

understanding in processes where cooperation which would define more than one institution is involved. mutual responsibilities and deadlines for different activities.

The Agency for Development of HEAARS accredited 14 higher Higher Education and Quality education institutions so far and Assurance B&H (HEA BiH) submitted several other institutions are application for full membership in the preparing for the accreditation European Association for Quality application. More than 90% of Assurance (ENQA) at the beginning students are enrolled at the 19 higher education institutions that of 2016. accredited institutions. are registered in the National As a part of an external evaluation, HEAARS developed a plan for Register of Accredited Higher the Agency for Development of accreditation of study programs Education Institutions of BiH, whilst Higher Education and Quality from which should be realized by 12 HEIs are in procedure of Further develop QA 8th to 10th May 2017. external audits of study programs accreditation. Since the criteria for The ENQA Board will adopt a final within the procedure of mechanisms: have accreditation, inter alia, relate to decision on full membership in ENQA accreditation of institution. all HEIs enter the the introduction and 13th September 2017. QA process, finish implementation of QA procedures Five HEI’s among which both defining learning Considering that in May 2015 a public universities already applied accredited higher education outcomes, revised ESG were adopted, the numerous study programs for institutions have fully or institutional and Agency in order to improve and external audit as a previous step substantially met these simplify the criteria for accreditation in a process of re-accreditation. programme requirements of HEIs in BiH aligned them with accreditation? In the Entity of the Republika revised ESG (2015) and published in Srpska (RS) - 12 HEIs have Official Gazette of BiH No. 96/16 in December 2016. successfully finished the process of Due to the revision of the ESG, accreditation, many others are Criteria for accreditation of study expected do this procedure. programmes of I and II cycle of studies were also revised, went through a public consultation procedure and published in the Official Gazettte of BiH No 47/17. Process of accreditation of SP not yet started. 6

Until the 7th August 2017 enrolled 27 HEIs in the State Register of accredited HEIs in BiH (20 universities and 7 colleges), while the enrollment of 5 HEIs is still in the procedure.

In the Entity Republika Srpska beside 12 accredited HEIs, two are in a process of issuing decisions on accreditation. The plan on accreditation of study programs was made during 2016 and two public universities are in a process of preparing for accreditation of study programs with support of Higher Education Accreditation Agency of Republika Srpska (HEAARS).

Managing University of Sarajevo is intensively The same as in 2016 with the resources & engaged in functional integration, following remark: A new proposal of reforms in HE which is a topic that is discussed the Law on Higher Education is and the thematic sessions of the drafted in the Sarajevo Canton and a Senate and representatives of public hearing is ongoing, but is not Government of the Sarajevo acceptable for the University of Integration of Canton. A key focus is on Sarajevo. universities financing.

“Džemal Bijedić” University of Mostar: New Statute was adopted and there is a model of integration being implemented at certain pace and is legally integrated institution registered as such with the 7

competent court.

University of Mostar: is still organized as an association of faculties with absolute academic and partial financial autonomy. The first step towards integration was done by the adoption of the new Statute and basic documents are under development in order to define the relations of the University and organizational units.

Only 5 public universities are integrated in BH, out of which 3 in the entity of the Federation of BiH and 2 in the Entity of Republika Srpska.

Priorities for 2016 – 2026 Higher The same as in 2017 Education Strategic Directions of HE Development in Entity of Development in BiH, adopted by the Promote the Federation of BiH 2012-2022 Council of Ministers of Bosnia and autonomy of HEIs Herzegovina. (financial and HR) Recommendations within the Tempus FINHED project Strategic Directions of HE Development in Entity of Federation of BiH 2012-2022

The HEI determines the amount of Priorities for 2016 – 2026 Higher The same as in 2017 tuition fees paid by students who Education Development in BiH co-finance or self-finance their adopted by the Council of Ministers Improve efficiency education by a linear model of Bosnia and Herzegovina. of HE funding depending on their place in the ranking and in accordance with the Strategic Directions of HE act of an HEI. Development in the Federation of BiH 2012-2022

Develop Program to prevent corruption in HEs The same as in 2017 transparent, in the Entity Federation of BiH - standard and transparency, legality and systematic compliance with procedures for better procedures in N/a HE appointing academic staff, evaluating thesis, projects etc.

Legal Priorities for 2016 – 2026 Higher Framework Education Development in BiH, adopted by the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Improve the national Herzegovina. legal framework for

HE, introducing The Entity Republika Srpska fully proper QA policies implemented the process of and relevant bi-laws establishing all the necessary legal framework for successful implementation of quality assurance policies.

The RS National Assembly adopted the Education Development Strategy of the Republika Srpska 2016- 2021 which sets five objectives for HE in the Republika Srpska, as follows:

Strategic Objective 1. Improving the organisational structure and the quality of higher education;

Strategic Objective 2. Scientific- research oriented higher education and linking higher education with the labour market;

Strategic Objective 3 Modernising study programmes for initial training of preschool teachers, teachers and expert associates;

Strategic objective 4. Internationalisation of higher education;

Strategic Objective 5. Improving student standard.

Secure RSHEAA have developed the Besides established procedure implementation of software for monitoring of the follow- for monitoring of follow-up the Higher up activities of accredited HEIs in activities, HEAARS have Education Law, order to monitor the process of changed Rulebook on policies and fulfilment of the recommendations accreditation in order to provide

recommendation given by panel of experts in reports. supervising visit for HEI’s from Agencies by all between two accreditation cycles HEIs which is supposed to ensure that HEI has implemented the recommendations in a proper manner.

Based on the recommendations of the ENQA panel of experts regarding appeal and complaint

procedures in the process of Revise and improve accreditation, HEAARS proposed licensing and changes to the Law on Higher accreditation laws Education of Republika Srpska to for Quality Ministry of Education and Culture, Assurance and these changes were adopted by National Assembly of Republika Srpska.

Research A call for financing / co-financing A call for financing / co-financing A call for financing / co-financing scientific research and research and scientific research, and research Define clear criteria scientific research and research development projects in the Entity and development projects in the and transparent and development projects in the Federation of BiH is published in Entity Federation of BiH was procedures for Entity of Federation of BiH will be 2017 too. published in 2018. selection of published in 2016 too. The Council for Science in the research projects The Council for Science in the Entity Entity Federation of BiH is and for QA New Council for Science (at the Federation of BiH is continued to be continued to be financed by the procedures in level of Entity of Federation of BiH) financed by the Entity Federal Entity Federal Ministry of research was appointed in 2016. Ministry of Education and Science in Education and Science in 2018 2017 too. too.

The Register was established in At the level of the Entity Federation of At the level of the Entity the Entity of the Federation of BiH: the same as in 2016, currently Federation of BiH: the same as in Bosnia and Herzegovina: 2,995 research scientists and 198 2016-2017, currently 3.151 http://registar.nub.ba/ research institutions are entered in research scientists and 233 the database. research institutions are entered Ministry of Education and Science in the database. of the Entity of Federation of BiH is Establish a joint carrying out the approval register of scientific procedures of entry into the institutions; expand database and bears annual the time for maintenance costs of hardware implementation of and software. Currently, 2,092 research projects to research scientists and 128 3 years research institutions are entered in the database. As there is no legal requirement for registration, one of the criteria for application for grants in the field of science is the entry of researchers and institutions in the Register.

Ministry of Education and Sports of The same at the level of the Entity Improve the quality the Federation of BiH completed Federation of BiH as in 2016. of research; the calls under bilateral increase training of agreements on scientific and researchers; technological cooperation with the promote Republic of Slovenia and the participation in EU Republic of Montenegro. research projects; Bilateral agreement on scientific increase investment and technological cooperation between BH and the Republic of

Turkey was signed.

Develop state-wide procedures for monitoring research; Establish group at national level to monitor QA processes and support to doctoral studies

-Priorities for 2016 – 2026 Higher All competent education Education authorities and other relevant There is support to and co- Development in BiH, adopted by the actors continued further financing of public HEIs projects Council of Ministers of Bosnia and implementation of Priorities for for linking HE to the labor market in Herzegovina. 2016 – 2026 Higher Education Improve the 2016 in the Entity of the Federation Development in BiH and the relevance of HE by of BiH. Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia cooperating with and Herzegovina follow its businesses. Linking HE to In the Entity of the Republika implementation.

the labour Srpska implementation of Following the adoption of the new Develop efficient market professional study programmes is Law on HE in Sarajevo Canton, internship supported through a draft of the the University of Sarajevo has agreements Law on Higher Education. More taken the necessary steps to between universities hours of student’s practice adopt and continually adapt and companies. anticipated in it. Practical work as a curricula so that the learning part of professional study outcomes are defined and programmes is now obligatory. aligned with the qualification levels detailed in the Decision on the Approval of the Baseline of the Qualifications Framework in

Bosnia and Herzegovina. At the University of Tuzla, evaluation of the study programs is carried out over a period of four years, after which they are renewed. In all organizational units of the University of Tuzla, curricula are continually being updated, names of study programs are changing, names with similar names in the developed countries are adjusted, and adapted to the demands of the labor market. The University of Zenica regularly updates the curricula in accordance with the legal provisions and the Statute of the UNZE. The Procedure for reviewing and innovating the study programs has been adopted and the curricula have been innovated in each organizational unit. The UNZE components have excellent connections to the business environment and facilities. The business premises of the Zenica- Doboj Canton are additional laboratories for teaching (especially practical exercises) students of all faculties, with revival of summer practice for

students of higher studies in order to achieve better learning outcomes and competencies. The study programs at the University of Mostar are based on outcomes and competences and are regularly revised and harmonized at all levels, following the standards of qualifications, laws on regulated professions, etc. Representatives of the labor market also participate in quality assurance, and public hearings are organized to initiate new study programs. The study programs at the "Džemal Bijedić" University of Mostar are relatively well structured, in line with the reform requirements. The programs are constantly changing, improving and supplementing in accordance with the established procedures. Modifications and additions to the study programs are carried out according to the adopted Procedure for amending the study programs, through consultations with stakeholders until adoption. In developing a new development strategy, the University of Bihać has consulted a number of

interested parties including the employers' association and the Chamber of Commerce of Una- Sana Canton, and representatives of employers and former students are involved in the modifications of each study program.

HEAARS organised several seminars and trainings with the Chamber of Commerce for representatives of higher education and work field in order to improve mutual cooperation between them. For the same reason, representatives of the work field are appointed in every panel for accreditation of HEI’s and also in different work groups and bodies of HEAARS.

In the Entity of the Republika Integrate HEIs and Srpska cooperation between public promote active and private sector is on-going cooperation through the Rector’s Conference of between the public RS and also planned for the and private sector process of development of QF.

Enhance links between HEIs and research; Improve the quality of teaching and research

Alumni association/s have been The process of establishment of The process of establishment of established in many HEIs as Alumni associations has continued in Alumni associations has follows in the Entity of Federation the HEIs in the Entity Federation of continued in the HEIs in the Entity of BiH: BiH in 2017 too. Federation of BiH in 2018 too. University of Sarajevo launched - Alumni Center has been an alumni platform on the social established at the University of network LinkedIn with the aim of Tuzla effectively presenting its - DB University of Mostar: alumni members' professional abilities, associations exist at three and more efficiently connecting Establish alumni organizational units employers with employees. A organisations/centre - University of Mostar: Alumni large number of its graduates s and track Associations of Students exist or have been registered. graduates. are under the establishment phase - University of Zenica (UNZE): has started activities on the establishment of alumni network, and then also the Association of Alumni at the University and organizational units’ level University of Sarajevo: the majority of faculties have established alumni associations

In the Entity of Republika Srpska

the situation is not satisfying. Exceptions are some private HEI. Strategy of development of education for 2016-2020, promotes the establishing of institutional mechanisms at HEI for tracking graduates.

On 27 April 2017, At the proposal of the Entity Federal Ministry of Education and Science, the Government of the Federation of Establish summer Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted the schools for pre- Decision on the Establishment of the Proposal of university education Foundation for Student Teachers FMES for foreign students Mobility in the Federation of BiH as a ensuring a visa-free concrete step in the implementation regime of one of the priorities of the Strategic Directions of HE Development in the Federation of BiH 2012-2022. This Foundation will also be in charge for summer schools.