Bosnia and Herzegovina Agency for Development of Higher

Bosnia and Herzegovina Agency for Development of Higher Education and Quality Assurance of Bosnia and Herzegovina Prof. dr Nihad Fejzic nihad. fejzic@hea. gov. ba www. hea. gov. ba

Objectives of talk • Overview of Higher education reforms in Bosnia and Herzegovina • Role and tasks of HEA • Quality assurance in Bi. H • The way forward www. hea. gov. ba

HEI in Bosnia and Herzegovina University of Bihać University of Banja Luka University of Tuzla University of Zenica University of Sarajevo University of Mostar University of East Sarajevo University Džemal Bijedić of Mostar www. hea. gov. ba 8 public universities – about 110. 000 students 22 private HEI – about 15. 000 students

HE and Bologna Process in Bi. H • Bi. H signed Bologna Declaration (1999) in Berlin 2003, but implementation has been delayed. • The most comprehensive reform of higher education in Europe • In Bi. H: Weak national capacities, complex governmental structure and lack of funding and knowledge • Framework Law on Higher Education, as the basic act for Bologna reforms was adopted in 2007. www. hea. gov. ba

HE and Bologna Process in Bi. H • Three cycles of study (establishment in progress) • Diploma supplement (in implementation) • Establishment of HEA (Agency for Development of Higher Education and QA) and CIP (BH ENIC/NARIC Office) • Ministry of Civil Affairs took coordination role at national level • 6 % of GDP current investment in education, recognised need for increase investment in science • Quality of higher education – driving force in current decade www. hea. gov. ba

What we expect from reforms? • • • Education based on science Education based on market and society needs New structure of study programs Better connections of employers and universities Increase of number of students and restructuring of labor statistic • Improvements in international cooperation • Era of modern Universities and efficent governmental institutions www. hea. gov. ba

The Agency www. hea. gov. ba

Institutional Establishing • • Council of Ministers decision on Establishing the Agency: March 2008 Appointment of the Management: October 2008 Appointment of the Agency’s Steering board: December 2008 Agency is and independent public organisation with two main duties: – to serve as an independent state institution in charge of the development of specific provisions and recommendations for higher education such as standards, norms, etc. , and – to provide quality assurance and standards and criteria for accreditation of higher education institutions in BH. www. hea. gov. ba

Mission Statement The Agency performs its work on the entire territory of Bi. H by adopting regulations and recommendations from the field of higher education particular in establishing of new and developing the existing higher education institutions, and leading the process of external quality assurance. In this matter, the Agency is acting in cooperation with the competent ministries on all levels, higher education institutions, whole academic community and students, and all that in accordance with the general principles of legality, objectivity, transparency and non-discrimination. www. hea. gov. ba

Mission Statement Appreciating the good practice and tradition of higher education in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Agency became the key player in the quality culture and make clear standards and regulations for the higher education as a basic criteria for activities, which shall be undertaken by respective ministries and higher education institutions. The Agency encourages all higher education institutions to build their own system of quality, based on these standards, the periodic self-evaluations as a basis for external evaluation, which shall be performed by an independent and impartial national and international experts, based on clear and transparent criteria. www. hea. gov. ba

Organizational Structure Total employment: 35 Curent employment: 15 www. hea. gov. ba

Projects and International Cooperation • Straightening of HE in Bi. H III (Co. E and EC) • Support to Establishment and Functioning of Agency for Development of Higher Education and Quality Assurance of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Austrian Development Agency, total budget: 362. 000 €) • Strategic and Structural Development of Quality Assurance in Bi. H Higher Education 2008 -2009 (WUS Austria) • Study visits to Agencies or similar bodies in Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Romania, Germany, Malaysia. . • EU TEMPUS programs www. hea. gov. ba

General Plan • 2009 – institutional and capacity building and preparation for accreditation • 2010 – accreditation of all HEIs (30) and preparation for accreditation of programs (about 500) • 2011 – accreditation of programs, applaying for ENQA membership and to be listed in ERQA www. hea. gov. ba

Ongoing activities • Selection criteria and list of experts (public announcement) • Preparation of Regulations (rules) for adoption by the Steering Board • Cooperation with HEI and ministries • Training the peers • Training the ministries officers • Training the universities’ QA officers 2009 www. hea. gov. ba 2010

The Model of Accreditation PROGRAM ACCREDITATION INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITATION Evaluation on standards in chapter 1 ESG Evaluation on Bologna principles (QF, mission of the program, learning outcomes, ECTS, etc. . . ) as well as on academic values Self-evaluation report Peers: academics with strong experience in university management, students, international evaluators Output: Report – recommendationss on improvement based on SWOT elements with final recommendation: full accredit, condicional accredit, non accredit Report will be presented to the public 2010 Self-evaluation report Peers: academics and labor market representatives, international academics (3 members) Output: report with clear recommendation (full accredit, condicional accredit, non accredit) www. hea. gov. ba 2010 2011

Structure of Bi. H standards for internal quality assurance • HEI should have a clearly defined quality assurance policy and procedures • Procedures for the design and approval of study programmes • Assesment of students • Teaching staff • The efficient use of premises, equipment and facilities • Collection, analysis and use of information – efficient managment of study programmes and other activities • HEI should regularly make public impartial and objective information on all programmes • Internal Quality assurance provide reliable basis for external quality assurance processes www. hea. gov. ba

The way forward • Networking of Bosnia and Herzegovina into European Higher Education Area • Development, upgrade and implementation of the Criteria and Standards for quality assurance in Higher education • Competent human resources are the most important both national and global resource www. hea. gov. ba

Agency for Development of Higehr Education and Quality Assurance BA – 78000 Banja Luka, Blvd. Stepe Stepanovića 11 P: +387 51 462 300, F: +387 51 462 302 e-mail: info@hea. gov. ba www. hea. gov. ba