UNIVERSITY OF NIŠ University Strategy for implementation of BP at University of Niš

UNIVERSITY OF NIS

Facts and Figures l Founded in 1965; l Comprises 13 faculties; l Appx. 27,000 students (250 foreign citizens) l Teaching staff of 1,600; l Administrative staff of 580 l Appx. 35,600 graduates, 1,560 masters and 960 PhD. holders since foundation

Faculties of the University of Nis Civil Engineering and Architecture Economics Electronic Engineering Fine Arts Law Mechanical Engineering Medicine Occupational Safety Philosophy Physical Culture Science Technology Teacher-Training

Motives for HE Reform Low efficiency of studies (only 11% of students graduates in time; average duration doubled) Compatibility with EU educational system Change over from teacher-oriented to student- oriented education (students are engaged as partners in the teaching process improvement) Establishment of recognizable standards Teaching based on a modern education theory, with the application of IT and multimedia

Possible problems in the BP and Higher Education Low implementation i SCG Society in transition Disintegrated university for more than 50 years Difficulties with putting pieces together Extreme differences in the relation of number students : professors from faculty to faculty On some faculties 90% of the professor’s work is student examination (serious problems with work load) Different goals from faculty to faculty in study programs designs High level of unemployment Small number of students on technical faculties and high on management Financial aspects of the BP implementation

Ongoing activities in order to solve all possible problems Activities on faculty level Activities on university level Activities on interuniversity level Activities on state level

Integrated university After 1954 Faculties are almost independent institutions University is an association of Faculties Election of professors Employment policy Financial independence Self-governing system for a long time, etc.

HIGHER EDUCATION LAW – UNIVERSITY  The Statute of a higher education institution, the Founding Act of a higher education unit and general acts of a higher education unit shall determine the powers and the manner of governance that shall assure unified and coordinated activities of the higher education institution.  The university shall integrate the functions of all the institutions and units that it comprises, particularly the faculties, by conducting unified policies aimed at continual promotion of the quality of courses and improvement of scientific research and artistic creativity.  To achieve the objectives referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article, a university and/or an academy of professional career studies shall have specific competencies in the following fields: Article 48

Article 48 1.establishment of unified standards of work of departments and services and unified standards for creating data bases of all units; 2.strategic planning; 3.adoption of study programs; 4.quality assurance and control; 5.enrolment policy; 6.election of teachers; 7.issuance of diplomas and supplement diplomas; 8.international cooperation; 9.investment planning; 10.employment policy planning and the hiring of teachers and associates; 11.establishment and development of a unified information system; 12.lifelong learning.  A higher education unit shall have the right to make proposals relating to matters referred to in paragraph 3 of this Article in the manner regulated by the Statute of the university.

Comments to the text of the New Law of Higher Education The Law is written in a gentle style Many definitions are not strict, saying mostly “it is possible” or “you may” Interpretation: What is possible is NOT necessarily obligatory”

Necessary Requirements To recognize integrative functions of universities and provide funds within the state budget for their financing; To provide immediately budget in 2006 for the reform process initiated by the Higher Education Law; To urgently adopt a strategy of higher education development in Serbia. Formation of the funds for: development, capital investment and solidarity

UNIVERSITY OF NIŠ STUDY PROGRAMS Actual problems:  Old and obsolete classification of occupations  The National Council for Higher Education, which would be responsible for the accreditation of study programs, has not yet been established  Discussions with the members of the Faculty Teaching Staff Councils  The scheme 3+2+3, and exceptionally 4+1+3, is accepted

BASIC SCHEME (two ways) 1a) ACADEMIC (B – 3 years ; M – 2 years) 2) PROFESSIONAL (3 years) 1b) DOCTORAL (3 years)

ACADEMIC STUDIES Basic academic studies Problems  Excessive number of study-program proposals by the Faculties Visits to the Faculties to clarify essential principles:  Wide-ranging orientation of programs  Unambiguous recognizability, sufficient program comprehensiveness, employability  Optional subjects 20-40%  Pursuit of adjusting the number of study programs to teaching staff potentials and other capacities

ACADEMIC STUDIES Diploma academic studies (Master)  Excessive  Orientation  Greater number of programs (up to 5)  Interdisciplinary character – collaboration of several Faculties  Possible specialization  Introduction of new programs: agriculture, management in other sciences

ACADEMIC STUDIES Doctoral academic studies  In the process of formation  Interuniversity level  International level – Established agreement: Niš (Serbia) – Szeged (Hungary) – Potenza (Italy)

ACADEMIC STUDIES Professional career studies  Narrower in orientation  Oriented toward concrete professions  Possible specialization

Mobility – students Problems – lack of ECTS  One program within the CEEPUS framework in the field of mathematics (Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics)  Student exchange – in all Faculties  Physics (Faculty of Science and Mathematics) – the coordinator of the Southeastern European Network in Mathematical and Theoretical Physics

Mobility – teaching staff  visits  WUS  CEEPUS  SCOPES  FP6  Joint scientific projects ECTS  in preparation for future programs of study  Diploma supplement as a universal system of university/faculty communication within the European higher education area

Quality assurance  Preparation of the accreditation procedure  Establishment of scientific-professional councils  Selection of teachers and associates  Exploitation of all resources Programs of activities  Statutes and books of rules  Forming of bodies and elections

Lifelong learning  Faculty of Medicine – Lifelong Medical Education Center (since 2004)  Faculty of Law – Civil Law Clinic, Regular Seminar "EU Law" with distinguished foreign and domestic lecturers, advanced professional seminars  Faculty of Mechanical Engineering – retraining of military service personnel  Faculty of Economics – management, consulting,

CONSTITUTION OF UNIVERSITY BODIES TIMETABLE AND TARGET DATES The University administrative, executive and professional bodies, as well as the Students' Parliament, shall be constituted within the three- month period starting from the date of passing the official order of the University reorganization.

1. Issuing of the official order of the University organization: Target date: June 30, Constituting the University Council: Target date: September 30, Constituting the University Senate: Target date: September 30, Constituting the Student's Parliament: Target date: December 10, Issuing the order of calling elections: October 01, Holding elections: November 10, TIMETABLE AND TARGET DATES

5. Election of Teaching Staff Council members, deans and vice-deans at the faculties: Target date: September 30, Constituting other professional bodies of the University: Target date: December 10, Election of the University rector and vice-rectors: Target date: December 10, Issuing the order of opening election procedure: September 30, TIMETABLE AND TARGET DATES