DUALSCI project most of all address the following relevant thematic national priority: 1. Developing the Higher Education sector within society at large: National priorities: University-enterprise cooperation. Additionally, it is in line with the priority 2. Improving management and operation of Higher Education Institutions: Internationalisation of higher education institutions.
The project is also in line with Regional Priorities for Joint & Structural Projects (Erasmus+ KA2 – Capacity Building in Higher Education) for the Region 1 (Western Balkan) and is related to: 1. Category B: Learning and teaching tools, methodologies and pedagogical approaches; 2. Category D: University-enterprise cooperation, entrepreneurship and employability of graduates. 3. Category D: Definition, implementation and monitoring the reform policies
Explanation: a. The project proposes a new educational approach in BIH in order to make HEI more professionally oriented with emphasis on offering the exact working skills to the students b. Dual higher education connects the employers that request particular set of skills with students that have strong propensity and potential to acquire that set of skills. c. Dual higher education gives the students an opportunity to acquire much needed work experience before graduation which in turn enables them to be more competitive on the labour market. d. Dual higher education implementation requires from the HEIs to develop such study programmes that are highly compatible with students’ future profession and altogether create a teaching ambience similar to that of a workplace. e. The project will provide the legislation background for establishing currently non-existent dual higher education studies in BIH. f. In long-term the project will provide a base for internationalisation due to better compatibility with HE systems in program countries.
The topic of the project application is dual education. A dual training system is characterised by a combination of company-based and school-based learning which is aligned to the needs of the labour market in a particular way and which leads to qualifications in nationally recognised training occupations” (KREKEL/WALDEN 2016, p. 55). During project it will be enhanced the relationship between the universities and companies. Universities will develop mechanisms and measures to increase participation in training and improve the companies’ ability to provide trainings for students. Also very important issue will be change in the interlinking of dual training with general education. Strategies and indicators for dual training will be introduced, and additional legislation will be developed.
There are four HEIs from four different cantons/entities of BIH, but this project application will be oriented on all other HEIs in Bosnia and Herzegovina and transferring experiences and good practices and raising awareness about dual education among students, staff and society. Model for dual education will be developed and planned for wider auditorium. Modernization of teaching process will be done through establishing competence based courses, which will be in accordance with market needs. Training of staff at companies who will be in charge of practical training of students and modernization of the existing curricula, development of different catalogues of knowledge and skills will ensure sustainability of the project activities in the longer period of time.
Few very important documents in Bosnia and Herzegovina emphasize dual education as one of the main objectives in the development of higher education. Together with quality assurance and internationalization dual education is one of the main prerequisites for successful development of higher education in BIH. Priorities for development of Higher Education in BIH 2016-2026 represents dual education as one of 7 priorities. In priority number 3 importance of connection between work-field and high education is emphasized. This document speaks about stressing on improving skills of our graduates, involving market in practical education of students and reform of our programs at all HEIs.
Strategic Directions for the Development of Higher Education in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) from 2010 to 2020 also points out dual education as strategic objectives in priority 9 with emphasize on role of the work-field in creation and running of dual programs. Education of mentors for students in the companies is also mentioned on several places. Clear objective is also modernization of all study programs in accordance with needs of the work-field, harmonization of qualifications and etc.
In Strategy of the Development of Science and Technology in the Republic of Srpska (RS) 2016-2021 dual education is one of the strategic objectives. Special accent is on changing of laws providing possibilities for this kind of education and making friendly surrounding for closer connection between companies and universities, for forming spin off and start-up companies, transfer and using scientific results in commercial purposes.
Finally, in the Strategy for Employment Republic of Srpska 2016-2020 in the strategic and operative aim one it was described importance of enhancing employment rate in BIH through rising quality of education on all levels and defining set of competences of final graduates, which will be defined in the joint cooperation between educational institutions and market.
As a conclusion, current intentions of all BIH HEIs are going in the direction of development of dual education that is in accordance with all national priorities for higher education 2016-2026, and that is in accordance with Programme priority for Bosnia and Herzegovina.