Procedure for professional and academic recognition of foreign higher education qualifications
(Procedure for recognition of foreign educational qualifications)

Application for professional and academic recognition of a foreign higher education qualification

1. Subject of the procedure

This procedure prescribes: the way to initiate the procedure for the recognition of foreign higher education qualifications, the steps of the procedure for the recognition of foreign higher education qualifications, responsibilities and authorities in the process of recognition of foreign higher education qualifications at the University of Zenica.

2. Field of application

The procedure is applied in the quality management system from the initiation of the procedure to the realization of the recognition of the foreign higher education qualification at the University of Zenica.

3. Definitions, terms and abbreviations

3.1 Definitions and terms

Procedure - a certain way of performing the activity

Educational document - any degree, diploma or other certificate issued by the competent educational authority confirming that the holder of the educational document has completed, in whole or in part, an appropriate education, i.e. acquired a certain qualification in accordance with the regulations of the country in which it was issued.

Recognition of foreign higher education qualification - is a formal confirmation of the value of a foreign qualification from the competent ministry or educational institution for the purpose of continuing education or accessing the labor market.

Academic recognition - is a formal confirmation of the level of education achieved, acquired knowledge, skills and competencies of the applicant for the purpose of student access to further studies, which may include recognition of non-formal and informal learning and short periods of education related to mobility.

Struchbut recognition - is the confirmation of the level of education achieved, acquired knowledge, skills and competences of the holder of the higher education qualification for the purpose of accessing the labor market, i.e. for the purpose of employment.

Recognition of periods of education - is the recognition of the period of education abroad with the aim of continuing education in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Valuation - part of the recognition procedure in which the essential facts about the acquired education abroad are determined, on the basis of which a decision on recognition is made.

Formally inchenje - learning that takes place and is acquired within an organized and structured learning context, in educational institutions and according to verified programs, and ends with the issuance of a public document on the level of education obtained, that is, on the obtained and generally recognized qualification.

Informally inchenje - learning that is acquired outside the official education system, but takes place within a flexibly structured learning context, aimed at training for work and other social activities, as well as personal development. This education does not lead to the acquisition of a generally recognized public document, but it can be completed by formalized verification of learning outcomes, i.e. acquired knowledge, skills and competences, and by the acquisition of a corresponding document on this.

Informally inchenje - learning that is the result of everyday life activities related to work, family and rest. It is not structured and does not end with the acquisition of a document.

4. Jurisdiction

The Rector of the University of Zenica approves this and other procedures at the University of Zenica.

UNZE or OJ quality managers initiate and approve the initiatives of others, encourage the preparation and review the final text of quality system documents, monitor their implementation in practice and propose possible improvements.

The final decision on the adopted procedure is made by the Senate of the University of Zenica.

5. Description of the procedure - professional recognition

5.1 Flow chart

5.2 Start

The University of Zenica is obliged to implement procedures for the recognition of foreign higher education qualifications according to the current legal regulations in this area.

The procedure for the implementation of individual procedures for the recognition of foreign higher education qualifications is presented below.

5.3 Submitting a request for professional recognition

A citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina, a foreign citizen, a stateless person, an asylum seeker, a person granted refugee status and a person granted subsidiary protection status can submit a request for recognition of a foreign higher education qualification. Potential candidates are suggested to consult with the Office for International Cooperation, the vice-rector for teaching or the vice-rector for NIR before submitting the Application to the home faculty.

The request is made on the form attached to this procedure. The request is submitted in two copies. Along with the request, the applicant submits the following documents to the Faculty Secretary:

Educational document on the acquired foreign higher education, basically any other document that completely replaces the original, i.e. a document from which it is evident that the applicant has obtained an appropriate education and/or title, in accordance with the regulations of the country where the original educational document was issued, or certified copy;
Translation of a foreign educational document into one of the official languages in Bosnia and Herzegovina, certified by a court interpreter, or a certified photocopy of the educational document if it is a document in one of the official languages in Bosnia and Herzegovina;
Addendum to the diploma or other document issued by the higher education institution from which the acquired learning results are visible;
Certified copy of identity card or passport;
A certified copy of the document from which it is evident that the applicant has changed his name and/or surname;
Consent for data verification;
Proof of payment of all costs (examples of payment slips)

The following can be attached to the request:

Other documents from which the acquired learning results are visible, the curriculum, and a document that describes in more detail the content and course of education, a certificate of passed exams;
A copy of the previously completed document

5.4 Administrative Verification

The secretary of the faculty performs an administrative check related to determining whether the submitted request contains all necessary and valid documentation, and whether it was submitted by an authorized person. The secretary of the faculty submits a request to the permanent commission for professional recognition of foreign higher education qualifications of the faculty.

5.5 background check, credibility check, obtaining a prior recommendation from the Center for information and recognition of documents from the field of higher education and preparation of reports

The Permanent Commission for Professional Recognition of Foreign Higher Education Qualifications in the process of preparing the report acts in accordance with Articles 11-15. Rulebook on recognition of foreign educational qualifications ("Official Gazette of the Zenica-Doboj Canton", number: 7/19). The Commission may request from the applicant other documentation and information related to the procedure of professional recognition of a foreign higher education qualification.

5.6 Review of Reports

The report of the Commission for Professional Recognition of Foreign Higher Education Qualifications is reviewed by the Academic and Teaching Council of the Faculty of the University of Zenica and makes the appropriate decision.

5.7 Making a decision on recognition

Based on the decision of the Scientific and Teaching Council of the Faculty of the University of Zenica, the Dean of the Faculty issues a decision on the professional application of a foreign higher education qualification.

5.8 Finalization of recognition activities

The secretary of the faculty prepares a decision on the professional recognition of a foreign higher education qualification after all financial obligations of the applicant have been fulfilled, which is proven by a corresponding act of the economic and financial service of the University, and puts a recognition clause on the back of the diploma or a certified copy of the diploma certified by a court interpreter and submits them to the dean of the faculty for signature. The Faculty keeps records of professional recognition procedures carried out in electronic form, and once a year a statistical report on professional recognition procedures is submitted to the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Zenica-Doboj Canton. One copy of the decision is handed to the candidate, the second is archived at the faculty, and the third is delivered to the competent ministry.

6. Description of the procedure – academic recognition

6.1 Flow chart

6.1 Start

The University of Zenica is obliged to implement procedures for the recognition of foreign higher education qualifications according to the current legal regulations in this area.

The procedure for the implementation of individual procedures for the recognition of foreign higher education qualifications is presented below.

6.2 Applying for academic recognition

The request is made on the form attached to this procedure. The request is submitted in two copies. Along with the request, the applicant submits the following documents to the secretary of the faculty:

Educational document on the acquired foreign higher education, basically any other document that completely replaces the original, i.e. a document from which it is evident that the applicant has obtained an appropriate education and/or title, in accordance with the regulations of the country where the original educational document was issued, or certified copy;
Translation of a foreign educational document into one of the official languages in Bosnia and Herzegovina, certified by a court interpreter, or a certified photocopy of the educational document if it is a document in one of the official languages in Bosnia and Herzegovina;
Addendum to the diploma or other document issued by the higher education institution from which the acquired learning results are visible (Certificate of passed exams),
Curriculum and program, and a document that describes in more detail the content and course of education (if any);
Certified copy of identity card or passport;
A certified copy of the document from which it is evident that the applicant has changed his name and/or surname;
Consent for data verification;
Proof of payment of all costs of the procedure (examples of payment slips);
If the master's and doctoral degree is recognized, the master's or doctoral thesis is submitted on CD or printed;
A copy of the previously completed document

6.3 Administrative Verification

The secretary of the faculty performs an administrative check related to determining whether the submitted request contains all necessary and valid documentation and whether it was submitted by an authorized person. The secretary of the faculty submits the request to the Scientific and Teaching Council of the faculty.

6.4 Preparation of proposals for the composition of the recognition committee

The academic and teaching council of the faculty, based on the review of the documentation, defines the proposal for the decision on the appointment of the commission for the academic recognition of foreign higher education qualifications, and submits it to the Senate of the University of Zenica.

6.5 Formation of the recognition commission

The committee that will carry out the academic recognition of foreign higher education qualifications is appointed by the Senate on the proposal of the Scientific and Teaching Council of the faculty. The commission consists of three to five members.

6.6 Professional verification, verification of credibility, obtaining a prior recommendation from the Center for information and recognition of documents from the field of higher education and preparation of reports

In the process of preparing the report, the Commission acts in accordance with Article 16 of the Rulebook on the Recognition of Foreign Educational Qualifications ("Official Gazette of the Zenica-Doboj Canton", number: 7/19) and the Statute of the University of Zenica. The Commission may also request from the applicant other documentation and information related to the procedure of academic recognition of a foreign higher education qualification.

6.7 Review of Reports

The report of the Commission for academic recognition of foreign higher education qualifications is considered by the Senate of the University of Zenica and makes an appropriate decision.

6.8 Making a decision on recognition

Based on the decision of the Senate of the University of Zenica, the Rector of the University issues a Decision on the academic application of a foreign higher education qualification.

6.9 Finalization of recognition activities

The secretary of the faculty prepares a decision on the academic recognition of a foreign higher education qualification, and puts a clause on academic recognition on the back of the diploma or a certified copy of the diploma by a court interpreter, and submits the same to the rector of the University of Zenica for signature. The Rectorate of the University of Zenica keeps records of the academic recognition procedures carried out in electronic form and once a year submits a statistical report on the academic recognition procedures to the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports. One copy of the decision is delivered to the candidate, the second is archived at the faculty, the third is delivered to the relevant ministry and the fourth is archived at the Office for International Cooperation of the University of Zenica.

7. Documentation

7.1 Importance

The importance of the procedure

The valid procedure is stored without limitation. The invalid procedure is kept for at least 2 (two) years after its modification by the quality manager. The validity of the procedure starts from the date of its adoption by the Senate of the University of Zenica.

Documentation

The documentation created in the process of defining the procedure is kept in the documentation archive of the quality assurance system. Measures should be taken to prevent their loss or damage.

7.2. Responsibility

The persons responsible for carrying out this procedure are the Rector, the Vice-Rector for International Cooperation and Quality Assurance, the Dean, the Secretary of the Faculty, the Head of the EFP Department of the University of Zenica.

7.3. Distribution

The person responsible for issuing the new procedure, its application and modification is the quality manager University of Zenica.

8. Attachments

The following documents are attached: