University of Sarajevo Hosts 12th International Staff Training Week

From October 21 to 25, 2024, the University of Sarajevo is hosting the 12th International Staff Training Week. This event is organized with the aim of networking domestic and foreign university staff, promoting mobility programs such as Erasmus+, and increasing international mobility for students and staff.

This year, the University welcomed 21 participants from 13 higher education institutions across six European countries: Austria, France, Italy, Germany, Portugal, and Turkey. In addition to the foreign participants, the event is attended by international students currently studying at the University of Sarajevo through the Erasmus+ program.

Opening the event, Prof. Dr. Kemal Durić, Vice-Rector for International Relations at the University of Sarajevo, emphasized the importance of internationalization and the role of the University in following global trends in higher education. "We are aware of the scientific, institutional, and social significance of this event. The University of Sarajevo has always kept pace with the development of higher education, constantly adapting to respond to the challenges posed by global events," highlighted Vice-Rector Durić. He also noted the increasing need to adopt innovative organizational and management models, while building new networks and alliances with all stakeholders in the higher education system.

Mr. Adnan Rahimić, Senior Associate at the International Cooperation Office, presented the work of the Office and the international programs in which the University of Sarajevo participates.

For the Staff Week participants, a cultural and educational tour was organized, visiting several faculties within the University of Sarajevo. Participants first visited the Academy of Music, where they had the opportunity to learn about the institution's programs and history, exploring spaces that have witnessed the tumultuous history and arts of Sarajevo and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Prof. Dr. Amila Ramović, Vice-Dean for International Cooperation, presented the history of this institution, which hosted numerous concerts during the aggression against Bosnia and Herzegovina, preserving the spirit of the besieged city and its inhabitants. Academy of Music students performed a short concert for the Staff Week participants.

The tour continued with a visit to the Catholic Theological Faculty, where, accompanied by Vice-Dean for Teaching Prof. Dr. Oliver Jurišić, participants learned about the long-standing tradition of Catholic theology in the region and took a stroll through the beautiful Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius. Guests also visited the Faculty library, which boasts a rich collection of bibliographic materials.

At the Faculty of Islamic Studies, participants were welcomed by Prof. Dr. Aid Smajić, Vice-Dean for International Cooperation. Guests had the opportunity to hear lectures from Vice-Dean Smajić about the Faculty, its history, and Islam in Sarajevo and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The tour concluded at Baščaršija, where guests enjoyed Bosnian coffee and immersed themselves in the rich tapestry of cultures, religions, and infrastructure that Sarajevo proudly showcases.

The Staff Training Week offers numerous presentations, seminars, and workshops, facilitating networking and the exchange of best practices. This event also represents an excellent opportunity for promoting Sarajevo and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as strengthening the University of Sarajevo's position as a serious partner for international projects.