THE FIFTH REGULAR SESSION OF THE RECTOR'S CONFERENCE/COLLEGE OF RECTORS OF BIH WAS HELD

The fifth regular session of the Rector's Conference/Rector's Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina was held today at the University of Zenica. On the agenda of today's session was an item related to the model of engagement of external collaborators in the teaching process, as well as the method of payment of contracts based on the development of domestic and international projects at public universities/universities in FBiH. This issue was also discussed at the previous session of the Rector's Conference/Rector's Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the conclusions reached at that session were presented to the public.

"We, as rectors, will probably have to sign contracts with external collaborators in the same way as last year, because this is the only way to continue with teaching processes in this academic year," said Prof. Ph.D. Jusuf Duraković, rector of the University of Zenica. The key problem in this matter is the inconsistency of laws at the state and cantonal level that regulate the field of higher education with the Law on Income Tax and the Law on Contributions that are at the entity level. Furthermore, it was pointed out that the payment of tax is not disputed, but the amount of the rate at which it is calculated is problematic. Until now, universities have settled all tax obligations, however paying taxes in the amount of 60% and more is completely unacceptable and calls into question the realization of the teaching process, scientific and research work, and the realization of domestic and international projects.

The representatives of the Rector's Conference/Rector's Assembly have already taken certain steps, and informed the higher levels of government about this problem, who showed understanding and interest in finding a model that would solve this issue.