Rectors' Conference of BiH: Resolve diploma recognition issue with Slovenia and Croatia, BiH must become a full member of ENQA

(Patria) - The Rectors' Conference of Bosnia and Herzegovina held a thematic session in Banja Luka, dedicated to the problem of recognition and valorization of diplomas obtained at universities in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the countries of the region, specifically in Slovenia and Croatia.

Rectors of all public universities in Bosnia and Herzegovina and representatives of the educational authorities of the Federation of BiH and all ten cantons, Republika Srpska, and Brčko District gathered to consider the problem of non-recognition of diplomas obtained in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the region. Namely, at the end of last year, the issue of valuing diplomas obtained in Bosnia and Herzegovina was raised in Slovenia and Croatia. Croatian competent institutions singled out the University of Mostar as the only undisputed university, which caused concern. The Director of the Agency for Development of Higher Education and Quality Assurance of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Enes Hašić, stated that the problem must be resolved through direct talks with the Republic of Croatia.

"We have already had several discussions with the Agency. I think this part of the problem must be resolved, as it is in our mutual interest and a solution will be found. This is one issue, and on the other hand, we must also work on the issues they point out to us, primarily to achieve full membership in ENQA, and secondly, to improve our educational space, which has its shortcomings because it is fragmented into 12 educational authorities. The problem is not the fragmentation itself, but the lack of harmonization."

The Rector of the University of Banja Luka, Radoslav Ganjanin, explained that it is not literally about non-recognition of the diploma itself, but about a qualified opinion, which nevertheless does not prevent our students from proceeding to the next cycle of studies abroad or seeking employment:

"We cannot say that diplomas obtained at universities in BiH are not recognized. The Agency for Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Croatia and certainly the Slovenian agency issue opinions with reservations, so to speak, or appropriate opinions that are not binding on employers. I want to say that diplomas obtained at universities in BiH are absolutely relevant, and based on these diplomas, our students who have completed the appropriate level of education can adequately compete in the labor market of Croatia, Slovenia, and the European Union," says Ganjanin.

Nevertheless, the question arises whether this area is also politicized. The Minister of Education in the Government of Herzegovina-Neretva Canton, Rašid Hadžović, said that as the responsible minister, he was not informed about how the Croatian Agency for Science accredited the University of Mostar:

"It is like a normal process. I will emphasize this and point out the problem of one country entering another country, without any agreements for which we already have some information."

The Director of the Center for Information and Recognition of Documents in Higher Education, Damir Ljubić, believes that politics, although present everywhere, is not the cause of the problem in this specific case:

"Quality assurance in higher education is a continuous process. In the coming period, we must undertake activities to maximize its strengthening, and I think that is the essence of our problem, which is the result of these problems we have with the Republic of Croatia and the Republic of Slovenia."

Other participants of the meeting agree with this position. An invitation has been extended to all agencies responsible for improving higher education to strengthen cooperation, as well as an appeal to respect all norms and standards in this area.