A round table was held on the topic "Challenges and perspectives of higher education in the Zenica-Doboj Canton through the prism of the development of the University of Zenica

On the occasion of 24 years of existence and work of the University of Zenica, as well as 65 years of higher education in Zenica, a round table with a panel discussion on the topic "Challenges and perspectives of higher education in the Zenica-Doboj Canton through the prism of the development of the University of Pupils". The panelists were Prof. Dr.Sc. Jusuf Duraković, Rector of the University of Zenica, Mirza Mušija, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Zenica-Doboj Canton, Mirsad Ćeman, Judge of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ph.D. Venan Hadžiselimović, general manager of the company "HIFA OIL" doo and Aida Salkić, director of the Zenica Pedagogical Institute. The moderator was Prof. Ph.D.Sc. Larisa Velić, Chairwoman of the Senate of the University of Zenica and Dean of the Faculty of Law.

In an exhaustive discussion that lasted more than three hours, they discussed infrastructural investments, i.e. the construction of the University Campus through capital investments, the analysis of existing study programs and the need to open new ones, as well as the employment of young staff in the teaching process and the filling of vacant non-teaching staff positions. .

When it comes to the spatial capacities of the University of Zenica, a huge lack of space is evident in accordance with the Decision on standards and norms for the performance of higher education activities in the area of Zenica-Doboj Canton, which concretely means that the University of Zenica currently lacks more than 20,000 m² of space. As pointed out, only two faculties meet the criteria contained in the Decision. The government of Zenica-Doboj canton in the past period invested significant funds to heat all the buildings of the University, the Student Center was completely renovated, and by the end of the year, it is expected to finalize the work on the amphitheater and restaurant in the building of the Faculty of Law and Economics. Also, in order to solve the problem of spatial capacities, funds were approved for the development of the main project of the building of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Polytechnic. Minister Mušija announced the construction of the building of the Zenica Cantonal Hospital, within which the construction of the Faculty of Medicine building is also planned. The construction of these facilities would significantly improve the quality of teaching processes at the University.

Today, existing study programs and the need to introduce new programs were discussed. Last year, the University of Zenica submitted an elaboration on the initiation of the electrical engineering and informatics study program, and it is expected that it could soon be adopted by the ZDK Government. Also, the need to enable more hours of practical classes for students was highlighted, which would enable students to perform work tasks with high quality after obtaining a diploma. Cooperation with the economy and the social community is key in this aspect of education, agreed the participants of today's round table. It was pointed out that the University of Zenica follows the trends of market needs, and accordingly proposes the launch of new study programs.

And finally, they discussed employment procedures and the standard of employees at the University of Zenica, as well as the problem of staff shortages in teaching and University services.

In addition to the mentioned topics, there are many more open questions, which will be discussed in the future. It is important to point out the readiness of the University of Zenica to cooperate with the Government of the Zenica-Doboj Canton, with the help of the economy and the social community, to work on strengthening the quality of teaching, improving working and studying conditions, and positioning it on world lists through quality scientific research work.

The conclusions from today's round table will be delivered to all participants.