The first meeting of the Italians of Bosnia and Herzegovina

On March 15, 2018, the University of Zenica hosted the First Meeting of Italianists of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This event, significant not only for Zenica, but also for the entire region, was organized in cooperation with the Embassy of the Republic of Italy in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the University of Zenica.

The meeting was organized with the aim of valorizing the representation and level of studying the Italian language in Bosnia and Herzegovina, promoting a modern approach to studying the language in such a way as to enable people learning the Italian language to use their knowledge of the language to be useful for cooperation in the business world.

On this occasion, H.E. Nicola Minasi, Ambassador of the Republic of Italy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, met with Prof. Ph.D. Damir Kukić, rector of the University of Zenica. The meeting discussed the possibilities of cooperation between the Embassy of Italy and the University of Zenica with the aim of joint organization of cultural events, participation in joint projects, and especially the development of student exchange and internships in Italian companies, i.e. companies in Bosnia and Herzegovina that cooperate with partners from Italy .

After the opening remarks of Prof. Ph.D. Damir Kukić, NJ. E. Nicole Minasija, Emir Sokolović, Silvia Trogu, prof. and Javorke Anđelić Raić, prof. The participants discussed the following topics in four separate sections:

• Italian language and tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina,
• Italian language and Italian companies,
• Language and techniques,
• Language and Internet perspectives and adaptation of Italian language teaching in light of the diffusion of new information and communication technologies.

The participants also had the opportunity to visit the Campus of the University of Zenica, and students and professors, as well as business representatives, showed special interest during their visit to IdeaLab and the Laboratory for Metrology and Automation at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering.

And at the end of the meeting, the representatives of all sections presented the work results and conclusions, and pointed out that it is necessary:

• to establish a close and strong connection between cities, universities and students in order to fully exploit the potential of the use of the Italian language in the fields of religion, culture, culinary, natural and historical tourism,
• establish an online platform through social networks such as Facebook and Twitter for the exchange of information about business offers, which would be accessible to companies, students and various organizations and associations,
• promote new models of learning and practice that would enable students to improve their knowledge of the Italian language in specific areas: (medicine, economics, law) using IT tools and social networks.

The meeting was attended by more than 120 participants: pupils and students from Zenica, Sarajevo, Mostar, Banja Luka, Čitluk, Visoko, Trebinje, Ljubinje, Prnjavor, as well as business representatives.