Strengthening academic cooperation between the University of Sarajevo and the Graz University of Technology

The renewal of the Memorandum of Cooperation and discussions on potential joint projects was the reason for the delegation's visit from the Graz University of Technology (Austria) to the University of Sarajevo, which took place on Wednesday, May 17, 2023.

The TU Graz delegation consisted of representatives of the University and its Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Economic Sciences:

• Prof. Ph.D. Stefan Vorbach, vice chancellor for teaching
• Prof. Ph.D. Franz Haas, Dean of the Institute for Production Engineering
• Prof. Ph.D. Bernd Zunk, Vice Dean for Teaching, Institute for Business Administration and Industrial Sociology
• Prof. Ph.D. Vanja Subotić, coordinator for internationalization
• Prof. Ph.D. Norbert Enzinger, Institute for Materials Science, Joining and Forming
• Prof. Ph.D. Helmut Benigni, Institute for Hydraulic Turbomachines
• Prof. Ph.D. Peter Brunnhofer, Institute for Structural Durability and Rail Vehicle Technology
• MSc Amila Omazic, Institute of Business Administration and Industrial Sociology
• Mag. Patricia Götz, alumni association
   

The delegation of the University of Sarajevo consisted of:

• Vice-rector for quality, prof. Ph.D. Dušanka Bošković
• prof. Ph.D. Izet Bjelonja, Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering,
• prof. Ph.D. Muris Torlak, vice dean for research and international cooperation at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering,
• Prof. Ph.D. Haris Lulić, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
• Prof. Ph. D. Mugdim Pasic, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
• Assoc. Ph.D. Petar Tasic, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
• Assistant Faris Ferizbegovic, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
• Miroslav Živanović, Office of the Rector
• Adnan Rahimić, Senior International Relations Officer

During the meeting, both institutions were presented with an emphasis on offering study programs, international projects and mobility, and expertise in various fields of interest for both institutions, especially in engineering. A discussion was also opened on the importance of inter-university cooperation and the possibilities of expanding academic collaboration between the University of Sarajevo and the Graz University of Technology through EU funds (Erasmus+, Horizon Europe) in areas that are of interest to both institutions were considered. At the meeting, the following steps were defined to further strengthen the visibility of the University of Sarajevo among students, as well as teaching/scientific and non-teaching staff, through international mobility and participation in capacity building and research projects.

After the presentation of the institutions, the Memorandum on cooperation between these two institutions was signed, which will be an introduction to many other international collaborations.

After the Rectorate, the delegation visited the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, where the programs and projects of the Faculty, study programs, and mobility were presented. After that, they visited the Faculty's premises and learned more about Faculty's strategies and directions.

To better represent the University of Sarajevo and the host city, a tourist walk was organized for our guests, who, in addition to academic activities, also enjoyed extracurricular activities and the gastronomic, historical and cultural offers of the city.