Acting director of Higher Education Accreditation Agency of Republika Srpska Dr. Biljana Vojvodic took part in the round table on the topic "(Re) accreditation of higher education institutions and study programs in BiH - challenges and opportunities" held on May 15 in Sarajevo.
Representatives of all higher education institutions from BiH were invited to the round table organized by the Agency for Development of Higher Education and Quality Assurance of BiH (HEA).
During the discussion on the upcoming process of accreditation of higher education institutions and study programs in BiH, the HEA explicitly stated that this process cannot and will not be implemented until a new Decision on the norms determining minimum standards in the field of higher education in BiH (Decision about norms) is adopted.
Representatives of higher education institutions from the Republic of Srpska and the Agency for Accreditation of Higher Education Institutions of the Republic of Srpska reminded the HEA of the obligation to apply the current Decision on the Norms for Determining Minimum Standards in Higher Education in BiH ("Official Gazette of Bosnia and Herzegovina", No. 100/11) which has never been declared null and expressed concern over the intention of the HEA to block the forthcoming accreditation process in BiH.
Representatives of the Republika Srpska believe that the new Decision on Norms represents the transfer of jurisdiction in this area from the level of Republika Srpska to the level of BiH, contrary to the Framework Law on Higher Education in BiH, and refused to adopt conclusions that point in the direction of adopting this decision.
Higher Education Accreditation Agency of Republika Srpska will inform the Government of Republika Srpska, the Council for the Development of Higher Education and Quality Assurance of Republika Srpska and the Ministry of Education and Culture of Republika Srpska about these issues and will continue with the implementation of the jurisdictions delegated by law.
