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BOLOGNA PROCESS - BOLOGNA PROCESS - MOBILITY IN BIHMOBILITY IN BIH

Branko Vučijak & Faruk OmanovićBranko Vučijak & Faruk Omanović

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Bologna process Bologna process

• 45 countries (Montenegro 46?)• European Higher Education Area by 2010• Aims not to harmonize national systems but to

provide tools to connect them • To facilitate recognition of degrees, mobility, and

exchanges between institutions • TO BE COMPETETIVE WITH US AND JAPAN HE

• 45 countries (Montenegro 46?)• European Higher Education Area by 2010• Aims not to harmonize national systems but to

provide tools to connect them • To facilitate recognition of degrees, mobility, and

exchanges between institutions • TO BE COMPETETIVE WITH US AND JAPAN HE

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Main CharacteristicsMain Characteristics

• Three Degree Cycle (relation to existing?)• The European Credit Transfer and

Accumulation System (ECTS) • The Diploma Supplement • Recognition • Joint Degrees • Quality Assurance etc.

• Three Degree Cycle (relation to existing?)• The European Credit Transfer and

Accumulation System (ECTS) • The Diploma Supplement • Recognition • Joint Degrees • Quality Assurance etc.

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MOBILITY AS A GOALMOBILITY AS A GOAL

Three Degree Cycle• Cycles enabling higher mobility (during and/or

after cycles)• Ph.D. – 10 principles, one is Increasing

mobility (should seek to offer geographical as well as interdisciplinary and intersectoral mobility and international collaboration within an integrated framework of cooperation between universities and other partners)

Three Degree Cycle• Cycles enabling higher mobility (during and/or

after cycles)• Ph.D. – 10 principles, one is Increasing

mobility (should seek to offer geographical as well as interdisciplinary and intersectoral mobility and international collaboration within an integrated framework of cooperation between universities and other partners)

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MOBILITY AS A GOALMOBILITY AS A GOALECTS• Validating a range of learning achievements • Makes study programs easy to read and compare

for all students, local and foreign• Therefore facilitates mobility and academic

recognition • ECTS helps universities to organise and revise

their study programs • ECTS makes European higher education more

attractive for students from other continents

ECTS• Validating a range of learning achievements • Makes study programs easy to read and compare

for all students, local and foreign• Therefore facilitates mobility and academic

recognition • ECTS helps universities to organise and revise

their study programs • ECTS makes European higher education more

attractive for students from other continents

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MOBILITY AS A GOALMOBILITY AS A GOAL

The Diploma Supplement• Describes the degree’s qualification in an easily

understandable way • A diploma that is more readable and easily

comparable abroad • An easier access to opportunities of work or

further studies abroad • It aids mobility, access and lifelong learning

The Diploma Supplement• Describes the degree’s qualification in an easily

understandable way • A diploma that is more readable and easily

comparable abroad • An easier access to opportunities of work or

further studies abroad • It aids mobility, access and lifelong learning

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MOBILITY AS A GOALMOBILITY AS A GOAL

Recognition• Essential to allow students to study at different

institutions in different countries • Overcoming legal recognition and administrative

obstacles is one of the ten objectives of the reform process and a vital element in promoting mobility

Recognition• Essential to allow students to study at different

institutions in different countries • Overcoming legal recognition and administrative

obstacles is one of the ten objectives of the reform process and a vital element in promoting mobility

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MOBILITY AS A GOALMOBILITY AS A GOALJoint Degrees• Degree programs involving periods of study at

multiple institutions • Innovative examples of inter-university cooperation • Pillars of future European higher education

development • Joint development of curricula between higher

education institutions in different countries and the award of joint degrees contribute to academic and professional mobility and to the creation of EHEA

Joint Degrees• Degree programs involving periods of study at

multiple institutions • Innovative examples of inter-university cooperation • Pillars of future European higher education

development • Joint development of curricula between higher

education institutions in different countries and the award of joint degrees contribute to academic and professional mobility and to the creation of EHEA

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PRESENT MOBILITY OF STUDENTS IN(TO) BiH

PRESENT MOBILITY OF STUDENTS IN(TO) BiH

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Questions to respond to:Questions to respond to:

Three Degree Cycle

• First cycle implemented at some faculties – language of lectures?

• What are employment options (3+2)?

• Mobility to other faculties? Within the cycle or for next cycle? Ph.D. drafted?

Three Degree Cycle

• First cycle implemented at some faculties – language of lectures?

• What are employment options (3+2)?

• Mobility to other faculties? Within the cycle or for next cycle? Ph.D. drafted?

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Questions to respond to:Questions to respond to:ECTS• Faculties approving credits from incoming

students? Procedure? • Subjects/credits can be selected? Percentage of

those at 3+2? On another faculty? Or University? Or by accredited provider?

ECTS• Faculties approving credits from incoming

students? Procedure? • Subjects/credits can be selected? Percentage of

those at 3+2? On another faculty? Or University? Or by accredited provider?

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Questions to respond to:Questions to respond to:

The Diploma Supplement• First cycle diploma and its supplement –

experiences? • Lifelong learning – courses organized by faculties

for graduated students? By other accredited institutions? Economy requests?

The Diploma Supplement• First cycle diploma and its supplement –

experiences? • Lifelong learning – courses organized by faculties

for graduated students? By other accredited institutions? Economy requests?

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Questions to respond to:Questions to respond to:

Recognition• Practical experiences? (see researchers’ mobility

later)

Recognition• Practical experiences? (see researchers’ mobility

later)

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Questions to respond to:Questions to respond to:Joint Degrees• Any joint degree planned so far by different

faculties/universities (that include those from BiH? Cooperation experiences?

Joint Degrees• Any joint degree planned so far by different

faculties/universities (that include those from BiH? Cooperation experiences?

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PRESENT MOBILITY OF RESEARCHERS TO BiHPRESENT MOBILITY OF RESEARCHERS TO BiH

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Foreign Researchers in B&H (ERA?)Foreign Researchers in B&H (ERA?)

• Many obstacles prevent foreign researchers from working in Bosnia:difficulties to obtain residence permits, work permits, getting foreign academic degrees recognised...

• Almost impossible to bring someone from abroad to work on a project for one year;

• Many obstacles prevent foreign researchers from working in Bosnia:difficulties to obtain residence permits, work permits, getting foreign academic degrees recognised...

• Almost impossible to bring someone from abroad to work on a project for one year;

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Legal RequirementsLegal Requirements

• In B&H, each entity/district has its own law related to employment of foreign nationals:

- FB&H: “Law on Employment of Foreign Nationals”;- RS: “Law on Employment of Foreign Nationals and

Persons without Citizenship”;- Brčko District: “Law on Employment of Foreign

Nationals”;

• In B&H, each entity/district has its own law related to employment of foreign nationals:

- FB&H: “Law on Employment of Foreign Nationals”;- RS: “Law on Employment of Foreign Nationals and

Persons without Citizenship”;- Brčko District: “Law on Employment of Foreign

Nationals”;

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Legal RequirementsLegal Requirements

All three laws state that: • A foreign national can sign a contract with an

employer in B&H, only if he/she has a work permit; • The work permit shall be issued only if the foreign

national has a temporary or permanent resident permit and under the condition that no citizen of B&H with qualifications required by the employer is registered on the list of Employment Agency;

All three laws state that: • A foreign national can sign a contract with an

employer in B&H, only if he/she has a work permit; • The work permit shall be issued only if the foreign

national has a temporary or permanent resident permit and under the condition that no citizen of B&H with qualifications required by the employer is registered on the list of Employment Agency;

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Legal RequirementsLegal Requirements

• Work permits are issued on a determined period of time, usually one year, with possibility of extension;

• Exceptionally, for foreign nationals with permanent resident permit, the permanent work permit may be issued

• Work permits are issued on a determined period of time, usually one year, with possibility of extension;

• Exceptionally, for foreign nationals with permanent resident permit, the permanent work permit may be issued

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Recognition of Academic DegreesRecognition of Academic Degrees

• One of the preconditions to get work permit, is recognition of academic degree as an equivalent to the local one;

No state level Agency yet, the requests for recognition of foreign academic degrees are sometimes rejected;

• One of the preconditions to get work permit, is recognition of academic degree as an equivalent to the local one;

No state level Agency yet, the requests for recognition of foreign academic degrees are sometimes rejected;

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Recognition of Academic DegreesRecognition of Academic Degrees

• According to the Law, the procedure for recognition of one diploma should not take longer than 60 days;

• In practice, this procedure takes much longer since there are no penalty provisions if the procedure is not implemented in the determined period of time;

• This procedure takes approximately one year in many cases, but main constraint is that equivalent faculty should be in charge of recognition and often there is no such (i.e. Environmental management);

• According to the Law, the procedure for recognition of one diploma should not take longer than 60 days;

• In practice, this procedure takes much longer since there are no penalty provisions if the procedure is not implemented in the determined period of time;

• This procedure takes approximately one year in many cases, but main constraint is that equivalent faculty should be in charge of recognition and often there is no such (i.e. Environmental management);

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Scientific-Research Institutions in B&H

Scientific-Research Institutions in B&H

• Universities/faculties;

• Public Research Institutes;

• Private Research Companies;

• Other;

Around 150 scientific-research institutions in BiH;

• Universities/faculties;

• Public Research Institutes;

• Private Research Companies;

• Other;

Around 150 scientific-research institutions in BiH;

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SR Institutions According to TypeSR Institutions According to Type

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

Other Private ResearchCompany

Public ResearchInstitute

University

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Division of SR Institutions According to Research Area

Division of SR Institutions According to Research Area

Health

Materials and Production

Socio-economic Sciences

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Total

Agriculture

Biotechnology

Energy

Environment

Health

IT

Life Science

Materials and Production

Security

Socio-economicSciences

Transport

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Employment Options at SR Institutions in B&H

Employment Options at SR Institutions in B&H

• Very few vacancies offered;• Rarely defined exchange programs for researchers,

or for students at universities /faculties;• Links to different schools and universities that offer

scholarships for undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees;

• Very few vacancies offered;• Rarely defined exchange programs for researchers,

or for students at universities /faculties;• Links to different schools and universities that offer

scholarships for undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees;

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International CooperationInternational Cooperation

• Almost all universities have some type of International Relations Office, which is in charge of arranging cooperation with other scientific institutions;

• Most of the work in these offices is again related just to finding universities/faculties in other countries, that offer scholarship possibilities for Bosnian students or possibilities to attend different seminars and trainings;

• Almost all universities have some type of International Relations Office, which is in charge of arranging cooperation with other scientific institutions;

• Most of the work in these offices is again related just to finding universities/faculties in other countries, that offer scholarship possibilities for Bosnian students or possibilities to attend different seminars and trainings;

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State Authority in Charge of International Cooperation

State Authority in Charge of International Cooperation

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina – Department of Scientific, Technical, Educational, Cultural and Sports Cooperation;- One of the tasks of this Department is cooperation related to: “international, scientific and research projects in the areas of science, technology, education and culture”, however, not one of these projects is mentioned at the site;

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina – Department of Scientific, Technical, Educational, Cultural and Sports Cooperation;- One of the tasks of this Department is cooperation related to: “international, scientific and research projects in the areas of science, technology, education and culture”, however, not one of these projects is mentioned at the site;

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• 113 Faculties, 84.475 students in 2004/05• In 2005:

– 8127 graduated (B.Sc.)– 298 M.Sc.– 91 Ph.D.

• Estimated ~1000 Ph.D. (I Congress, Sarajevo, September 2006)

• 303 secondary schools with 164.830 pupils, 44.772 finished in 2005

• 113 Faculties, 84.475 students in 2004/05• In 2005:

– 8127 graduated (B.Sc.)– 298 M.Sc.– 91 Ph.D.

• Estimated ~1000 Ph.D. (I Congress, Sarajevo, September 2006)

• 303 secondary schools with 164.830 pupils, 44.772 finished in 2005

Agency for Statistics BiH – 2005 dataAgency for Statistics BiH – 2005 data

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QUESTIONNAIRESQUESTIONNAIRES

• Sent to 149 institutions

• Received total of 8 responses, after repeated requests

• 3 foreign researchers (plus 2 non-permanent)

• Sent to 149 institutions

• Received total of 8 responses, after repeated requests

• 3 foreign researchers (plus 2 non-permanent)

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STATISTICS OF RESPONSESSTATISTICS OF RESPONSES• Incoming mobility to BiH exists – only one positive

response, majority says NO• Incoming mobility important for development of research

potentials – 100% YES• Incoming mobility important for EU accession – 100%

YES• Is there any present offer at your institution for foreign

expert engagement –two positive responses • Would you like to increase involvement of foreign

researchers in your organization – 100% YES

• Incoming mobility to BiH exists – only one positive response, majority says NO

• Incoming mobility important for development of research potentials – 100% YES

• Incoming mobility important for EU accession – 100% YES

• Is there any present offer at your institution for foreign expert engagement –two positive responses

• Would you like to increase involvement of foreign researchers in your organization – 100% YES

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STATISTICS – RESEARCH INSTITUTIONSSTATISTICS – RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS

Major obstacles for engagement of foreign researchers are:

• Salaries level• Visa • Work permit• Diploma recognition

Major obstacles for engagement of foreign researchers are:

• Salaries level• Visa • Work permit• Diploma recognition

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STATISTICS –FOREIGN RESEARCHERS IN BIHSTATISTICS –FOREIGN RESEARCHERS IN BIH

Major obstacles for engagement of foreign researchers are:

• Long-lasting procedures and “papirology” related to getting visa and permit to stay in the country

• Inexistence of any support centre that would provide foreign researchers interested for working in BiH all information on licences and permits, diploma recognition accommodation etc.

Major obstacles for engagement of foreign researchers are:

• Long-lasting procedures and “papirology” related to getting visa and permit to stay in the country

• Inexistence of any support centre that would provide foreign researchers interested for working in BiH all information on licences and permits, diploma recognition accommodation etc.

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TIME HAS PASSEDTIME HAS PASSED

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!