The Third Knowledge Economy Forum Budapest, March 25 2004 ______________________________________________ THE UNIVERSITIES REFORMS AND COMPETITIVENESS INCREASE A CASE STUDY

24.000 students graduated and 300 students obtained doctoral degree university of tuzla today: 12.000 students 39 departments 24.000 students graduated and 300 students obtained doctoral degree 70% of anual expenses provides Tuzla Canton – the remaining 30% is coverd through tution fees and applied research

the reform context The circumstances of the 1992-1995 war led the universities in Bosnia-Herzegovina to a complete recession in terms of staffing, finances, and science. The 1995 General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia-Herzegovina did not particularly focus on higher education. Research work in Bosnia-Herzegovina is nowadays not in full operation. The only research work is done within small scientific nuclei at the universities. Public funds for research were not established following the settlement of peace in the country and do not exist today. Research institutions were severely damaged Private sector makes no investments in research. Foreign investment represents only 2.5% GDP and has not resulted in any technology transfers.

historical background The universities' organisational structure, as well as the philosophy of studying was completely incompatible with the European standards. Coupled with this, they all had the 10-year long stagnation, featuring 'brain drain', obsolete programmes of study, outdated education and research equipment, unstable funding, and, before anything else, unstable political and economic environment. Such a position called for two things: initiation of reforms, but also dynamic reforms!

historical bacground Given the simultaneous development of the higher education reform model and the creation of the unified European academic area in Europe, the idea that a group of professor of the University of Tuzla promoted in 1999 was to try and have the dynamics of the reform in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Europe coincide with the reform in the European academic area. The basic chemical-energetics industry of Tuzla region has collapsed, which lead to decrease of interest in studies focusing on that field of economy, whilst at the same time leading to the increase in new knowledges that can only be offered by the University. The concept of an undertaking university includes two issues: to offer the students such knowledges and skills on enterpreneurship, and the structure of the University on the market bases, since budgetary funds in the circumstances of transition are, in principle, insufficient for research and the teaching process.

multi-fold reforms Bologna process we have to regenerate the University thoroughly transition package

i n t e g r a t e d u n i v e r s i t y : University of Tuzla is indeed the Bosnia-Herzegovina model of an integrated university

The very essence of an integrated university lies in the division of the legal subjectivity any employment and posting must be done exclusively at the University level: only one human resources unit all appointments of teaching staff members are done at the University level there is only one bank-account: only one finance unit only one accountancy unit

research funding The creation of an integrated university meant the creation of a model of earnings distribution. Faculties keep the earnings from their research work in the 85-15% ratio. Keeping the 85% of earnings gained through research work, the University wishes to encourage teachers and researchers to deal with research to a greater extent.

curricula reform The reduction of duration of study, establishment of new departments of study and new curricula have created new prospects for students.

internationalisation and international co-operation For nine years now we have organised the Summer University, gathering hundreds of students and lecturers from around the world.

distance learning The University of Tuzla has joined this modern trend, as the leading university in this field in the country. The University of Tuzla addressed the distance learning development through a systematic approach, by establishing the University Centre for Distance Learning Development.

strategic planning Our Institutional Development Plan has shown that the reforms initiated at the University of Tuzla are headed in the right direction, and that it would be possible to fully implement the Bologna process at the University of Tuzla by 2010, meaning, at the same time as other European universities.

reform impact In the late 80s of the last century, the University of Tuzla comprised five Faculties and a College, and a total of 2,500 students. There were 7 institutes as its constituent parts. The University was fully disintegrated and more research-orientated. Today, the University is composed of 11 Faculties and some 11,500 students, and is completely integrated, without institutes, the teaching is the prevailing activity, with low research activity.

ALOCATIONS FROM TUZLA CANTON ACADEMIC YEAR NUMBER OF STUDENTS ALOCATIONS FROM TUZLA CANTON (MIL. KM) 1990. 2.500 NO FIGURE 1999./2000. 5.282 13,3 2000./2001. 7.508 10,4 2001./2002. 9.016 10 2002./2003. 10.615 11,6 2003./2004. 11.608 12,0 (plan)

reform impact The duration of study has been reduced. The programmes of study have been modernised, and students are indeed in a position to be educated through usable knowledge, including the IT knowledge, and finding a job after completion of their study. University provides scholarships for the best students

lessons learnt determination towards changes is pre-requisite for changes we must not underestimate our students Economy is highly important in terms of research If we want our universities to have a European future, we have clearly set out tasks before us as well as the dynamics of their achievement.