University of Zenica makes additional efforts to increase student enrollment

(Patria) - Practice has shown in recent years that all public universities in our country are facing a negative trend in student enrollment. A declining population and a large number of private universities are partly responsible for this. To change this trend, the University of Zenica is making additional efforts to increase the number of enrolled students.

How to choose an adequate profession and how to get employed more easily and faster after graduation – this is a dilemma for high school graduates who find themselves at a crossroads in life. The labor market greatly influences future decisions when choosing a field of study.

"Graduates mostly opt for software engineering – for good reason. But I would also encourage them to enroll in what they love, not to be guided by where the job openings are," says Tarik Islamović, a student at the Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Zenica.

A call for applications has been issued for 862 places for all study programs at the eight faculties of the University of Zenica for the first cycle of the first year. However, unlike previous years, when only about 50 capacities were filled in the second enrollment period, a relatively good response has already been recorded in the first enrollment period.

"So far, we have collected 848 applications. We must take into account that some students applied to two or more faculties, and that this is not a realistic indicator. Of course, this also shows increased interest in studying in Zenica," says Prof. Dr. Jusuf Duraković, Rector of the University of Zenica.

The Faculty of Philosophy has also received more applications than its quota, so additional quotas for certain programs are being considered. The Faculty of Polytechnic, specifically the Software Engineering study program, along with Medicine, are the only ones that have filled their planned quota.

"This year, we had a somewhat interesting situation – many applicants, but many did not manage to pass the entrance exam. I see this as a consequence of the pandemic – students in primary and secondary school did not manage to master the material they need," explains Prof. Dr. Samir Lemeš, Dean of the Faculty of Polytechnic of the University of Zenica.

Nevertheless, some study programs did not have enough applicants, so it will be known after the second enrollment period whether certain departments will be launched at all. All public universities in Bosnia and Herzegovina are currently facing a shortage of students. Demographics on one hand and the widespread phenomenon of private universities on the other are partly the cause.

"Demographics are relentless. The number of inhabitants in Bosnia and Herzegovina is constantly decreasing, and of course in the region as well – this affects educational structures and higher education institutions. The University of Zenica is no exception," states
Prof. Dr. Mirza Džananović, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Zenica.

Lemeš offers further explanations as to why young people are not deciding to study: "They are looking for instant solutions, they are impatient, social networks have taught them speed, they don't have time to study for 3 or 5 years if they can finish a course in a few months... This is the attitude of new generations that the entire society must contend with. On the other hand, private universities are more flexible."

The education system is crucial for the development of social progress. Therefore, the advantage of studying at a public university is significant, considering the quality of teaching and clearly defined criteria.

"This number of inhabitants and such a small country cannot have 45 universities. We must think about competing in the market with quality," says Duraković.

One of the main goals of the University of Zenica is to retain young people to study, but also to work in Bosnia and Herzegovina. They see their vision for survival in opening new study programs for which young people show interest, such as departments of psychology, electrical engineering, and information technologies.