Pristup visokom obrazovanjujednake anse za sve Equal Opportunities

Pristup visokom obrazovanju-jednake šanse za sve Equal Opportunities for Students With Special Needs in Higher Education

About EQOPP • EQOPP is a Tempus Project which should improve access, fulfil needs and rights and enhance studying experience of students with special educational needs in all public universities in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BH). • This project aims to support BH universities in improving quality and modernising higher education and make it open to all students, as result are expected to increasingly enrol and complete university course.

About EQOPP • This project aims to transform HEA in BH and make it open to all students, as result are expected to increasingly enrol and complete university course. • The main objective of this project is to support BH universities by creating institutional capacities and developing policies and practices which will enable all students to study in BH universities. • This objective corresponds to the achievement of European standards, the Bologna process, the Lisbon Declaration and the FLHEBIH

Specific project objectives • To provide analysis of the current situation for students with SEN in BH • To assure equal access to higher education in BH for students with SEN • To developed policies, institutional procedures and models of inclusion suitable for all BH universities • To promote equal access and opportunities in secondary and higher education in BH • To encourage and establish network mechanisms between students with and without SEN, NGO disability organization and BH universities. •

Project consortium • The duration of the TEMPUS project entitled “Equal Opportunities for Students with Special Needs in Higher Education” is three years – from 15 October 2011 to 14 October 2014, • University of Sarajevo is the project coordinator. • Web site http: //www. sus. ba/eqopp

Project consortium

Project consortium

Activities Workpackage 1 Preparation phase - research and analysis • Activity 1. 1. - Analysis of the existing policy and legislation • Activity 1. 2. - Analysis of existing assessment practice • Activity 1. 3. - Preparation of assessment tools • Activity 1. 4. - Undertaking the research and analysis • Activity 1. 5. - Conference on the research findings • Activity 1. 6. - Establishment of SO at each PP • Activity 1. 7. - Workshop PPU to EU for strategy development

Activity 1. 1. Analysis of existing policy and legislation • • Deliverable: Questionnaire for HEIs, Government etc Activities required to be implemented by UES: Filling in the Questionnaire for HEIs on its own behalf Sending Questionnaire for GO (Ministries of Health and Education of Republic of Srpska) • These activities were performed with different outcomes. • UES filled in the Questionnaire for HEIs (May 31 st 2012) • Ministry of Education sent back incompletely filled Questionnaire. Some general data are not filled in, but the comments were given. Document signed by Ms Sanela Dojčinović. • Ministry of Health sent a letter (an “Information”) in which broad comments were given about the policy of that Ministry towards persons with special needs. However, MH RS refused to fill in the proper form, declaring it “not complementary to the policy of the MH RS regarding this issue”.

Activity 1. 2. Analysis of existing assessment practice Deliverable EQOPP (2011 -2517/001 -001) Report template 2012 After completing the Questionnaire and receiving answers from relevant GO bodies, UES writes EQOPP (2011 -2517/001 -001) Report template 2012 Template for further reports and deliverables WP 1. Preparation phase - research and analysis [Deliverable 1. 1 – 2012 -02 -08] Template for further reports and deliverables Authors: Darko Djogo Ph. D, vice rector for humanistic sciencies, arts and sport, University of East Sarajevo Branislav Brojcin, Ph. D. Experts: Stevan Trbojevic, Ph. D. vice rector for University development and research, UES Contributors: Dejan Bokonjic, Ph. D. vice rector for international and interuniversitary cooperation, UES Sanela Dojcinovic, Project Assistant, Ministry of Education, Government of Republica Srpska‚; Bojana Prodanovic, M. A, lecturer, UES; Zorica Stankovic, student UES

Conclusion Since the UES is public institution opened for broader social environment, it must concern one of its main priorities to develop equal opportunities for the SSN. In order to comply that, it must undertake actions of • Data collecting and analysis • Implementing strategy of development of equal opportunities for SSN • Establishing institutional capacities for the implementation • Monitoring the process.

1. 3 Preparation of assessment tools • We fully participated in preparation of assessment tools

Activity 1. 4. Undertaking the research and analysis of results Meeting in Sarajevo May 25 th 2012. Questionnaire for students accepted by all BH participants. Other activities coordinated. Received Questionnaire May 28 th 2012 Notification sent to all faculties May 29 th 2012 Deadline for sending back filled questionnaires July 3 rd 2012 Problems regarding organization of the research: • • Dispersion of faculties Academic Calendar (exam terms and lack of students) Different approaches to the process by different faculties Not obligatory nature of the research

Activity 1. 5 Conference on research findings • Conference on the research findings at University of Sarajevo, on 7 th 8 th May 2012 Presentation on research findings; Presentation on first guide.

1. 6 Establishment of SO at each PPU • We formed SO on our University • Two staff members/ Jelena Soknic and Bojana Klacar • Approved by Senate • Placing SO in the new University sistematization

1. 7 Workshop PPU to EU for strategy development • We described best practice on some EU universities. Also we tried clearly to look over situation in BH particularly on our University concerning services and possibilities for students with special needs. • We concluded that we did not properly dealing with this issue until now and that this project was coming on proper time. We prepared together with other partners assessment tolls and questionnaires, which were distributed to students and Ministries. After collecting results from students we performed statistical analysis, which helped us to learn more about situation on our University. Concerning Ministry response was not so good like we expected. • The university took part in preparation of the guideline for identification of strengths and weaknesses of the student with special needs with respect to disability and experience from EU.

Received data from Faculties which contributed by organized filling-in/the-form process: o. Faculty of Agriculture (East Sarajevo) o. Faculty of Law (Pale) o. Faculty of Medicine (Foća) o. Orthodox Theological Faculty (Foča) o. Faculty of Pedagogy (Bijelnjina) All together 547 filled in forms were collected.

Conclusions ü It is obvious that percentage of difficulties reported by students is lower than those given in social researches. That probably indicates that much of the students still deny having problems, although survey showed that there is certain progress regarding this issue. ü Nevertheless, survey indicates that there is a great matching between difficulties in learning, special needs and heavy social situation in BH. Further investigation should provide clearer picture concerning this matching. ü It is of the extreme importance to notice that majority of students did not demand any support by HEI. EQOPP Project must continue changing this practice and establish clear institutional practices and procedures in order to provide students with special needs all necessary support.

Activities Work-package 2 CAPACITY BUILDINGRUNNING OF THE SO • Acitivity 2. 1. - Training of SO coordinators • Acitivity 2. 2. - Work plan for 3 yr • Acitivity 2. 3. - Conference on SO integration into the PPU Work-package 3 IMPROVEMENT OF THE DISABILITY SERVICE Activity 3. 1 Development of manuals/guides • Activity 3. 2 Pilot study • Activity 3. 3 Incidental travel

Work-package 2 CAPACITY BUILDINGRUNNING OF THE SO • Activity 2. 1. - Training of SO coordinators Study visit at WU Vienna, Austria on 9 th-10 th July 2012 The outcome: collected examples of good practice. • Activity 2. 2. - Work plan for 3 yr • We participated in development of work-plan for the whole project • Activity 2. 3. - Conference on SO integration into the PPU

Work-package 3 IMPROVEMENT OF THE DISABILITY SERVICE • Activity 3. 1 Improvement of disability service Development of manuals/guides • • • Office on the University formed All procedures established Register introduced Six guides Guideline for inclusive education

Work-package 3 IMPROVEMENT OF THE DISABILITY SERVICE • Activity 3. 2 Pilot studies Support office-7. 30 -15. 00 Register of students Procedure for entering SSN and for support fo registered students Existing documents, procedures and guideline for inclusive education Dislocation of equipment Unique model of functioning

Work-package 3 IMPROVEMENT OF THE DISABILITY SERVICE • Activity 3. 2 Pilot studies • Regular organization of meeting with students with special needs • Special part on the web site where SSN can find all necessary information and documents • Establishing of special fund on the University for helping those students • Organization of info days on the University level • Organization of sport and cultural events • Still a lot of issues which have to be solved!!!!

Work-package 3 IMPROVEMENT OF THE DISABILITY SERVICE • Activity 3. 3 Incidental travel • Visit to office University of Banja Luka (two staff members • Good contacts with office in Tuzla

Activities Work-package 4. Training of staff 4. 1 Training for academic and non-academic staff 4. 2 Conference of the project final results Work-package 5 Monitoring and quality control 5. 1 Ongoing internal quality control and monitoring 5. 2 Mid-term and final internal evaluation Work-package 6 Dissemination and monitoring 6. 1 Develop promotion material and a web-portal for SO 6. 2 Organizing open days at PPU

Work-package 4. Training of staff 4. 1 Training for academic and non-academic staff Three trainings at three locations 4. 2 Conference of the project final results • UNSA 19/20/03/2015

Work-package 5 Monitoring and quality control 5. 1 Ongoing internal quality control and monitoring Questionnaires and reports send to coordinator Deliverable Report Form (WP 1) (responsible University of Sarajevo) as part of the ongoing internal quality control and monitoring, project coordinators from the University of Sarajevo created and disseminated Deliverable Report Form to all partners in EQOPP project. • 5. 2 Mid-term and final internal evaluation We participated in preparation of intermediate report • 3 experts visited UES for external evaluation

Work-package 6 Dissemination and monitoring 6. 1 Develop promotion material and a web-portal for SO During project we developed different promotional material Project team together with person in the support office organized several dissemination meetings about the project results and possible solution, which will help students with special needs to study at this University in an easier way. All information can be found on the web site of the project 6. 2 Organizing open days at PPU Open day 40 participants-18. 09. 2014 Students Professors Stakeholders

Activities Work-package 7 Management of the project • Consortium meeting I (28 th-29 th November 2011) University of Sarajevo Presentations of current state of SEN at all public universities in B&H; Presentations of good practice examples; Fine-tuning of the project plan; Kick off meeting minutes • Consortium meeting II (15. 11. 2012) Alicante. Two persons UES • Consortium meeting III (20 -23. 11. 2013) Vienna Four persons UES • Additional consortium –Ghent 24 -25. 06. 2014 Two persons UES • Consortium meeting IV (Sarajevo 20. 03. 2015) Three persons • Ongoing project and financial coordination

Equipment UES • • • • Epson 3 LCD EB-W 12 USB LENOVO Think. Pad Edge E 420 14" LED LENOVO Edge 91, Windows® 7 Professional 64 -bit, LENOVO Think. Vision L 2250 p 22", Windows Microsoft Office Kyocera Copier MFP FS-3140 MFP Panasonic KX FL 613 Digital voice recorder - Olympus Dictaphone MD 420 Reader Wave – Victor Reader Wave VS 3731 Portable CCTV – Portable CCTV Candy 5 inch Color Portable Video Magnifier Radio AID – CRM 220 Kit Keyboard – Microsoft Natural Ergonomic design, 4000 Software – Braille Translation Software from Duxbury Systems Now Importing Word 2010, Excel & Open Office Files – DBT: Software – BIS govorni program za slijepe Software – Word. Reader V 3 Eng. Interactive Whiteboards – SMART Board 680 – NEC U 250 x/Panasonic Elite 78'' Printer - INDEX Braille Basic C V 4

Monitoring visit- current activities •

Monitoring visit- current activities

Monitoring UES • Support service • Currently under the Vice-Rector for culture, art and humanities. • The Senate has approved the SO as well as the staff and clear position of the SO. • There are two persons in charge and they have their own office. Besides, there is 1 student appointed to help. • Statutes of the University: 2 paragraphs that proclaim what student can use and examinations (online). • Follows the principle of integrating disabled students opinion with the development of the SO activities.

Identification of students • During the monitoring visit the identification process for disabled students was not clear to the evaluators; however the office have one. They “estimate that not all students with special needs are on the list of our office. The Reason is probably that the students do not understand the role of the office yet and that most of the students do not like that somebody else knows about their disability. There are 15 students with the official cards. • The identification process should be made clear to the student community and be available on the Office website.

Service provided • UES provided special card, so called “card of disability”, to each disabled student so that he/she can show it to the professor; it explains the disability of the student • UES provided identification form • The office works with all faculties and the QA office • Help students to make a request and meeting the vice rector of studies

Training of administrative and academic staff • 3 trainings for professors in 3 centers (Pale (28. 01. 2014), Foca (1. 12. 2014) and Lukavica (27. 01. 2014)-10 faculties) faculties or case by case + 2 professors that work with them. • Around 40 -45 staff members at each meeting • Efficient use of the guidelines for professors. • Sign-language training for peer tutors and SO coordinators +Training of local SO staff by EU trainers and presentation of 6 guide books, discussion of national standards Sarajevo, 2025/09/2014

Budget and work-plan • No Budget allocated to the SO. • The salaries are taken into account. • The governing board decides and approves extra expenses if needed. • Work-plan is created and followed by office

Best practice • Positive points about the project: raising awareness, and methodology on how to deal with students, now the office should show results. • Literature and guidelines at university level, decentralisation of the equipment and material, new teaching methodology, cooperation with a NGO on how to introduce assisting technology (on website), defectology department is developing material that should help the university. • The SO is getting integrated in the university, with more and more people using the service. • A representative from the support office in each faculty, the VR contacts the Dean of the Faculty to discuss the needs of the students. Involvement of students from the beginning of the project.

Dissemination • Dissemination is done through the faculty brochure. The brochure shows what students can expect, the same goes for the website that includes a box office for student with special needs. The office did a big campaign in the brochure and on the website making clear what student with special needs can expect. • There is a seminar on equal opportunities open for everyone in each faculty. 40 -45 people attended in each campus. • However, there is no interaction with high school, but there is cooperation with NGOs dealing with disabled students.

Social deficits

Next steps

Networking

Summary The project resulted in establishing the Support Office is the main point in addressing SSN on our university. We created educational and promotional materials, as well trained academic and non-academic staff how are able to address SEN of university students. Registered of students with special needs created with clearly defined registering procedure and forms Equipment is purchased and the most of existing equipment is in use The project created strong basis and conditions for the national orientation, standards and guidelines in fulfilling rights and needs of students with SEN All information about planned and implemented activities are published on the official web site of the project and web site of the office for student with special needs.

Opportunities • Joint work of the academia and ministries on the field • Joint work of office members on the University level with staff and students from departments of Medical and other faculties • Development of brochures, guidelines and teaching material for those students • Work with NGOs on the promotion of the rights for SSN • Joint work with secondary schools and local communities concerning this issue

Thanks for attention!!!!!!!