Who failed in the system: A review of all private universities and their accreditations is needed

By Amra Vrabac

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After the action of the BiH Prosecutor's Office in which ten people were arrested, mostly responsible persons at private universities in BiH for issuing fake diplomas, and about which the investigation of the BiH Prosecutor's Office lasted for several years, a stain has been cast on the entire higher education in BiH.

"As part of the activities, several employees and high-ranking officials of university and faculty institutions in BiH were brought in. As part of the searches, a large amount of money originating from illegal activities was seized, and in accordance with the order of the BiH Court, extensive documentation and items are being confiscated in a number of institutions," stated the BiH Prosecutor's Office.

Resolving the problem of non-recognition of diplomas from BiH in Croatia and Slovenia, which students face, could be further complicated by the new situation. After this action, there is a fear that the list of countries that check graduates from BiH and stop the recognition of their diplomas could grow.

The action of the BiH Prosecutor's Office included several universities and higher education institutions, and a review of the list of the Agency for Development of Higher Education and Quality Assurance in BiH shows that these are accredited institutions. Some received accreditation during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, when the work of institutions was difficult, and classes were conducted online, which raises new doubts.

The Rector of the University of Sarajevo, Rifat Škrijelj, in a recent reaction to the problems with the recognition of diplomas from BiH, cited "the easy granting of accreditations" to certain private universities as one of the causes. Although he did not specify which private institutions he meant at the time, the action of the BiH Prosecutor's Office provided the answer.

However, the problem also lies with the commissions that granted accreditations to some private universities. Very often, professors from public universities are among them. The European University Brčko is under investigation by the BiH Prosecutor's Office. The Accreditation Commission consisted of Džemal Najetović, Lazo Roljuć, Sabahudin Hadžijalić, Branko Rafajac, Dragana Bizić-Filipović.

The College of Applied and Legal Sciences "Prometej" was registered in the State Register of Accredited Higher Education Institutions in 2016. The accreditation is valid for five years. In July 2021, this institution was re-accredited.

The University of Modern Sciences – CKM Mostar is also under investigation, and the Commission consisted of Selma Čorbo, Davor Alagić, Ferdo Bašić, Božo Vukoja, Ljubica Janjetović. The recommendation for accreditation is from February 2020.

Also, fake diplomas were issued to students of the Independent University Banja Luka, and the Commission for Quality Review and Recommendation for Accreditation consisted of: Marko Đogo, Boško Borojević, Nevenka Maher, Mirza Oruč. In August 2021, this university was registered in the State Register of Accredited Higher Education Institutions.

The University for Business Studies Banja Luka is also a subject of investigation for investigators, and the Commission consisted of Zdravko Todorović, Branko Rakita, Božo Vukoja, and Leila Hairlahović. The recommendation for accreditation was issued in November 2020.

The International University Travnik is also under investigation, and it was accredited in 2020. The Commission consisted of Edin Berberović, Ivo Čolak, Ivan Balta, Venera Simonović, Dajana Đurašinović.

When it comes to the presidents of the Commissions that evaluated private universities, they are mostly professors from public universities. A detailed list of all accredited institutions, commission members, and reports can be found on the website of the Agency for Development of Higher Education and Quality Assurance of BiH.

The Case of the American University

When the American University in BiH abruptly suspended classes for students in March 2020, the web of politics, corruption, and vested interests began to unravel.

The Cantonal Inspectorate of Tuzla Canton pointed out that the Ministry of Education of Tuzla Canton, which issues operating permits, never conducted supervision over the work of the American University in BiH. What is an even bigger problem is that this university in Sarajevo enrolled hundreds of students even though it never had a permit to operate in the Sarajevo Canton. The investigation in this case has been ongoing for three years and is being conducted in three different prosecutor's offices. The BiH Prosecutor's Office has not yet concluded the investigation in this case, given that the investigation is being conducted in multiple directions. The founder of this university is Denis Prcić.

Given that BiH is a candidate country for membership in the European Union, the institutions of BiH face a difficult task. The relevant ministries in the cantons in FBiH and RS also have great responsibility, and they should initiate changes to the laws on higher education, and carry out control and review of all higher education institutions in BiH, but also tighten the criteria for establishing new universities.

If the devaluation of higher education continues, universities in BiH will soon have no students, and those who have the opportunity will continue their education outside of BiH.