University of Sarajevo Rector and the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain signed a Memorandum of Understanding Academic cooperation and support for the study of the Spanish language

The memorandum of understanding for subsidizing Spanish language lecturers, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (MAEC) and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), between AECID of the Kingdom of Spain and the University of Sarajevo was signed today at the University of Sarajevo Rectorate.

The memorandum of understanding was signed by the University of Sarajevo Rector, Prof. Dr. Rifat Škrijelj and the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain in Bosnia and Herzegovina, H.E. Mrs. Teresa Lizaranzu Perinat, on behalf of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), a state agency under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of the Kingdom of Spain (MAEUEC). The signing was attended by UNSA Faculty of Philosophy Dean, Prof. Dr. Kenan Šljivo and Vice Dean for Research and International Cooperation, Prof. Dr. Minka Džanko, and adviser for culture at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Spain in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr. Zlatko Sarić.

With the signed Memorandum of Understanding, one lecturer position has been secured at the University of Sarajevo - Faculty of Philosophy from the academic year 2024/2025. year for a period of five years, whereby the University of Sarajevo receives the technical assistance of a Spanish language professor at the Department of Romance Studies of the University of Sarajevo - Faculty of Philosophy.

Providing support for the study of the Spanish language, as well as contributing to the academic-institutional development and improvement of language and literature studies at the University of Sarajevo, were the topics of the meeting. The formation of the Cervantes Classroom at the UNSA Faculty of Philosophy was also discussed, which would represent a center for independent learning of the Spanish language, intended for all those interested in the Spanish language and culture related to the Spanish spoken expression. The work of the classroom would be coordinated by the Cervantes Institute, an institution founded in Spain in 1991.

Ambassador of Spain to Bosnia and Herzegovina, María Teresa Lizaranzu Perinat, emphasized that the cooperation of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Spain with the University of Sarajevo is the longest academic cooperation they have with universities, and underlined the importance of improving cooperation. She pointed out that she believes that the greatest contribution can be made through cooperation in the fields of culture and education.

Dean Šljivo expressed openness to future cooperation, stressing that the contribution of cooperation benefits our students and teachers. He supported all initiatives that contribute to the development of the Spanish language at the Faculty of Philosophy and expressed the hope that in the future, through further cooperation, an independent department will be developed as an autonomous research unit.

Prof. Dr. Rifat Škrijelj, along with his words of welcome, expressed his gratitude for the visit and expressed intention to improve cooperation. He pointed out that the University of Sarajevo, as the oldest and largest university in Bosnia and Herzegovina and as the leader of higher education in Bosnia and Herzegovina, is interested in cooperation with universities and institutes in the Kingdom of Spain. The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding represents the beginning of a new phase of cooperation between the University of Sarajevo and the Kingdom of Spain. Also, Rector Škrijelj pointed out that the Embassy of the Kingdom of Spain is also responsible for the development of the Spanish language at the Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Sarajevo, which through its state agency AECI for cooperation and cooperation sends its lecturers and supports the teaching of the Spanish language in other ways, such as . by enriching the library fund, and for ten years it has also helped by organizing seminars for professors of Spanish language and literature in which eminent names of Spanish philology participated.

During the meeting, they discussed strengthening ties through various models of academic and cultural cooperation, as well as possible forms of cooperation between the University of Sarajevo and the Embassy of the Kingdom of Spain in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The meeting ended with expressed mutual willingness and openness to strengthen the previous cooperation, which was assessed as extremely successful.