Škrijelj: Equal treatment for both public and private universities

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - In Sarajevo Canton, alongside the state University, three private universities operate: International Burch University, International University of Sarajevo (IUS), and the Sarajevo School of Science and Technology (SSST). The American School of Economics also operates in Sarajevo.

The media also write about the private "American University in BiH", which, although registered in Tuzla, also operates in the Sarajevo area, which is a direct violation of the cantonal Law on Higher Education.

When asked by a journalist why the Ministry does not react and clarify the case of AUBiH, the rector of the University of Sarajevo, Rifat Škrijelj, stated at a recent press conference that he does not want to talk about any university individually, but agrees that the Ministry of Education of Sarajevo Canton should treat both public and private universities in the same way.

"Anyone who does not have proper documentation regarding their existence and operation in Sarajevo Canton should not be allowed to work. I do not want to comment on any individual university, but the law should be the same for everyone... If that does not happen, then we live in a country where students studying at such universities have no security," said Škrijelj. He added that the University of Sarajevo is subject to inspections, even when inspectors receive an anonymous report. He emphasizes that he has no problem with that, but the Ministry should act in the same way with private universities.