The workshop was organized by the National Erasmus+ Office in collaboration with the Sarajevo University and it geathered participants from competent educational ministries, higher education istitutions and educational agencies in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The aim of the Workshop was twofold: to give an overview of achievements of higher education in Europe in the context of the Bologna Process, challenges we face as well as presentation of future trends in this Process; to present impact of the Bologna Process on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s HE and current state of Play concerning priorities of higher education in the country for the period 2016-2026 as well as future plans in higher education.
Presenters at the Worksop were Michael Gaebel, EU expert and Director of EUA Department for Higher Education Policy and Aida Durić, Head of Department for European Integration and International Affairs at the Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina and member of HERE Team of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Michael Gaebel delivered presentations on the two topics:
The main discussion was led in answering the question on weather Bologna has achieved its goals?
One of the main conlusions were that the progress has been made while implementation remains uneven,both between policy areas and between countries. Furthermore, the necessity to continue to work on Paris Communique 3 Key commitments was uderlined ie:
- Recogntion – Lisbon Recognition Convention
- 3 study cycles/ qualification frameworks
- Quality Assurance – Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area” (ESG)
Growing awareness for social inclusion was pointed out as a board and complex issue.
It is constated that generally, societal issues gain importance in the EHEA and that some profiles (economically, disadvantaged, disabled, gender etc.) need attention in all systems. In addition, there are specific groups with specific challenges such as minorities, migrants. It was stressed how data is important, to raise awareness, and identify challenges, inform policy and enable enhancement measures.
- Regarding Policies and concrete measures the following were identified:
- wide range of options
- some outside of HE (schools)
- not only emphasis funding
- information and support
- consider not only access, but also retention, full participation in academic activities, and transition into work or further study
- Involve the different actors: higher education institutions and their members have an important role to play.
Aida Durić delivered presentatios on the two topics:
Within the first topic focus was put on HE Reforms in Bosnia and Herzegovina in a nutshell since Bosnia and Herzegovina's accession to Bologna Process in 2003. More precisely, the impact of accession on legal, institutional and human resorces set up.
Futhermore, obligations and repercusions delivering form various adopted international documents, processes and initiatives, as well as memberships that Bosnia and Herzegovian is part of were presented.
It was also highleted the importance and enourmous support to implementation of Bologna goals, througout years, through different EC Projects implementation as a tool for implementation of the Bologna goals.
Many of the projects resulted in strategic documents that were produced in cooperation by all relevant higher education autorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Conclusions:
- Since its accession to Bologna Process HE in Bosnia and Herzegovina has changed significantly in terms of legislative, institutional and capacity set up;
- All precondition for full integration into EHEA have been fulfilled;
Current State of play in Higher Education in Bosnia and Herzegovina was presented in the light of EU Bosnia and Hezegovina 2018 Report as well as through 13 indicators of the Bologna Process – The European Higher Education Area in 2018 Implementation Report.
Concerning plan for future development of HE in Bosnia-Herzegovina, the overall objective is full integration into European Higher Education Area.
Document „Priorities of higher education development in Bosnia and Herzegovina for the period 2016-2020“sets up 7 priorities to be fulfilled that are in full compliance with EHEA HE goals. This document is result of common work between academic community and all competent HE authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Furthermore, obligations deriving from different initiatives, processes and memberships at Regional and European level were presented and the importance of following of this path for the following decade was stressed out.
However, it was underlined that our societies are facing new and unmapped challenges, to which education need to respond bearing also in mind accomplishment of SDG 4 2030 goals.
Conclusions:
- Further implementation of the Bologna goals (Scorecard)
- Full implementation of LRC
- Full implementation of the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG )
- Development of study programs based on learning outcomes and related training of academic staff,
- Further development of NQF
- Identification and accomplishment of SDG 4
BiH priorities 2016-2026 Good Governance and Management , Resources, Connection Between Labour Market And Higher Education (QF Development), Qualification Standard (Development of Curricula), Student Experience , Internationalization, Statistics
All presentations are available at Erasmus ' Office web page.
