Gap Analysis and Recommendation for Higher education reform in B&H Prof. dr Mirsad Djonlagić Tempus JEP “Introduction of the ECTS at B&H Universities” Workshop in Porto

Background of the project  “Assistance to the Ministry of Civil Affairs to improve capacity to undertake European integration tasks at EHEA and cooperation with the BiH Rectors’Conference”  BIH Rector conference, German Rectors’ Conference, Ministry of Civil affairs in BiH, expert groups

Project objectives and aims  Overall objective: to foster a consistent higher education refom process in line with Bologna Declartion throughout the whole of BiH; to increse active participation of BiH in the EHEA.  Strengthening the institutional and functionla capacities of RC BIH

Tematic issues  Role, tasks and structure of a rectors’ conference  Organisation and financing of the higher education sector and higher education institutions  Bologna process and its implementation  IT-based information and communication management in higher education

 National system of higher education is decentralised  Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH is only public administration with responsibilities in the field of higher education  8 public universities and 22 private HEIs Overview of the higher education system in BiH

Reforms in higher education Major problems are categorised as follow: 1.Funding and financial flexibility 2.Quality of Higher education 3.Teaching and studies 4.Research 5.Governance structure of HEIs 6.Autonomy of HEIs 7.Higher education legislation at the national level

Information and data  A broad range of written material on higher education  Evidence from interviews and discussions with actors in higher education sector of BiH

Rectors conference, role and tasks  To provide a forum for inter- university cooperation and for the formation of joint opinions and policy positions  Act as political and public voice of the HEIs  Offer services to its members  Consult politics and public administration

Functional model FORUM for inter- university cooperation and the formation of joint opinions SERVICE AGENCY to members RC BiH Political and public VOICE of the HEIs CONSULTANT to politics and public administrations

Gaps and recommendation 1.The systemic environment faced by RC BiH and its members 2.Structure of Higher education governance in BiH 3. organization of RC 4.Issues of communication 5.commitment

Gaps  Financial Resources and responsibilities  Human resources  Perceptions of the legal settings  Political influence on HEIs  Autonomy of HEIs  Governance of HEIs  Change Management at the HEIs  Organization and functioning of the RC BiH  Work flow at the RC BiH  Funding of the RC BiH  Internal communication and visibility  External communication and visibility  Commitment