1. Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education Policy and Strategy of Internationalization and Recognition Mechanisms Izabela Dankić, Vice Rector Ana Dujmović, QA Coordinator University of Mostar Banja Luka 8-9 March 2016 Logo of your organization Project number: 561874-EPP-1-2015-1-BE-EPPKA2-CBHE-SP "This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein"

2. University of Mostar (SVEMO) does not have a policy or strategy for Internationalization Certain goals on achieving higher level of internalization are included within overall SVEMO University strategy (2012-2017) Goal 3. (USVEMO STRATEGY)– University will actively participate in European Research and Higher Education Area where mobility of staff and students is encouraged, and participation in research and other projects is fostered. Since University is aware that certain goals are set as “too general” – we are already working on Strategy for the upcoming period where new goals and activities will be defined. Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education

3. Responsibility for future Policy and Strategy of Internalization lies in the hand of the Senate. Framework of this Policy and Strategy realization depend on financial resources as well on the overall University Strategy. Office for International Relations is responsible for realization of internalizations goals. It is led by the Vice Rector for International Relations. At the moment has 2 working positions. Every Faculty also has a coordinator for international cooperation who is working closely with the Office. Office (1) manages all projects that University is involved in; (2) distributes information on open calls for mobility, as well as for scholarships and other information related to international relations; (3) provides expert support to student and academic staff in applying to open calls, (4) provides advice and information to foreign students about visas, accommodation, student fees, etc. Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education

4. University of Mostar is currently working on Rulebook on Mobility, which will define rights and obligations of students participating in mobility programs. But certain provisions such as “position of guest student” already exist within our Study Rulebook, which was revised last year. Also, ECTS gained at other institutions, through mobility programs, are recognized by our Faculties. In order to achieve that, students need “Learning Agreements” signed by host and home institutions. Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education

5. More than several Agreements on International Cooperation have been signed by the Mostar University in the last decade, mostly with Universities from neighboring countries (Slovenia, Croatia) but also with other EU states (Austria, Italy, Spain). Through this cooperation, University is realizing several activities: (a) joint study programs (Faculty of Economics has a joint PhD program with Faculty of Economics from Split (Croatia); (b) Faculty of Agriculture and Food Technology is realizing its Master study program with Faculty of Food Technology from Osijek; (c) Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Computing is participating in several research projects with University of Maribor (financed by Slovenian Government) as well as in research projects with Technical University DAAM from Vienna; (d) Several Faculties have organized Summer Schools (Economics, Mechanical Engineering, Law) All international activities are financed through international projects (mostly EU and other European funds), but also through certain national funds (Federal Ministry of Education). Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education

6. The University of Mostar still does not have a centralized published reserach paper repositories, but since every Faculty has its own data, that kind of information could be easily obtained. Within several TEMPUS projects, University has developed means to integrate these data into our University Information System (ISS). Action Plan for these activities has been adopted last autumn and we expect to realize it within next year. Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education

7. Recognition Mechanisms Izabela Dankić, Vice Rector Ana Dujmović, QA Coordinator University of Mostar Banja Luka 8-9 March 2016 Logo of your organization Project number: 561874-EPP-1-2015-1-BE-EPPKA2-CBHE-SP "This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein"

8. SVEMO does not have University Service for Foreign Degree Recognition. Faculties are responsible for this process. Whole procedure is done according to provisions of the Cantonal Law on Nostrification and Foreign Credential Recognition from 2005 and B&H General Law on Higher Education. Additionally, most of Faculties have adopted various internal acts related to this matter. Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education

9. According to the Art. 5 – Recognition of foreign degree document can be done only at the request of a person who is a citizen of B&H and has a permanent residence in HN canton. The same article also defines that persons without citizenship and foreigners can also make the same request if they can show some legal interest. Recognition can be requested for two purposes: (1) further education (2) future employment Applicant is obliged to state purpuse on his/her application form. Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education

10. Application form can be found at Faculties’ web pages. Along with form, applicant is obliged to provide: (1) Original or a certified copy of Diploma (2) Diploma translation certified by the court interpretor (3) transcript of records (4) study plan and program for which recognition is requested. (5) some other supporting evidence (if needed). Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education

11. In order to complete recognition, Faculties usually form a special Committee. After reviewing the applicant’s documentation, Committee makes a proposal whether to recognize or not, which is adopted by Faculty Council. In special cases where recognition is requested for a study programs that do not exist at any of our Faculties, University forms a special Committee which decides on the matter (for example Military Academy diploma). Whole process of recognition must be completed in 60 days. In case of a rejection, applicant can apeal to HNŽ Ministry of Science and Education. Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education

12. Special procedures for cross-border education or joint-program recognition – do not exist at the moment. Current Law does not provide grounds for that. Any kind of quality revision is done by Ministry of Education in the second-degree process. So Law does not leave any space for internal revision. Since the current Law does not provide answers to many questions and situations, there is an ongoing debate related to degree recognition and work on revision of the Law. Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education