American University in BiH loses accreditation, three investigations with no indictments against Prcić yet

SARAJevo, (Patria) - The American University in BiH (AU in BiH), based in Tuzla where it has a license to operate, is no longer on the list of accredited higher education institutions in BiH.

AU in BiH had a valid accreditation until November 26, 2021.

According to reports published on the website of the Agency for Development of Higher Education and Quality Assurance of BiH, the conditional accreditation of AU in BiH was issued by the Ministry of Education and Science of Tuzla Canton based on the recommendation of the Higher Education Agency, i.e., the Commission of Experts, on November 26, 2015.

AU in BiH was registered in the State Register of Accredited Higher Education Institutions on February 9, 2016.

Given that AU in BiH had conditional accreditation, the Commission submitted a new report to the Agency in April 2019, and the relevant ministry was recommended to issue a Decision on Accreditation of the higher education institution until the expiry of the six-year period, which also included the period from the date of issuance of the Decision on Conditional Accreditation.

The American University in BiH ceased operations in March 2020, leaving students unable to continue their education, retrieve their submitted documents, and with unresolved status, and some without diplomas.

Criminal charges have been filed against the founder and owner of AU in BiH, Denis Prcić, with the Cantonal Prosecutor's Office of Tuzla and the Cantonal Prosecutor's Office of Sarajevo. Groups of students reported Prcić for extortion, specifically for charging 1,500 KM that was not defined in the study agreement. Prcić demanded money from students for alleged American reaccreditation, even though it was valid until the end of that year. After the students filed complaints, Prcić voluntarily withdrew the accreditation from ACICS at the end of October 2020.

While the Cantonal Prosecutor's Office of Tuzla suspects Prcić of the criminal offense of abuse of position and authority, and he was questioned as a suspect in June this year, activities in the Cantonal Prosecutor's Office of Sarajevo are proceeding at a slower pace.

It should be noted that for years, Prcić enrolled students in the Sarajevo Canton in the faculties of AU in BiH, where they attended classes, took exams, and were awarded diplomas, even though AU in BiH never had a license to operate in the Sarajevo Canton.

The Prosecutor's Office of BiH is also conducting an extensive investigation into AU in BiH, and the indictment will include several individuals involved in the irregularities. The Prosecutor's Office of BiH is investigating falsely issued diplomas from AU in BiH, one of which was issued to Osman Mehmedagić, the director of OSA. It was determined that there is no evidence of his studies, and names were altered in the registry books, with the name Osman Mehmedagić added, and that page was subsequently glued into the book.

Numerous employees of state institutions, mostly from the security and military sectors, were engaged as lecturers at AU in BiH. Many of them are still active in service and hold leadership positions in institutions.

The Cantonal Prosecutor's Office of Sarajevo and the Prosecutor's Office of BiH should investigate who enabled Prcić to operate illegally in Sarajevo, and who lobbied lecturers and students to enroll in AU in BiH, promising them American diplomas and quick employment.

The US Embassy in BiH responded to Patria in October 2020 regarding its connection to AU in BiH.

“The American University in BiH is a private educational institution not affiliated with the US Embassy. All inquiries on this matter should be directed to the relevant institutions in BiH,” stated the Public Affairs Section of the US Embassy.