The SMEQA project brought together representatives of higher education institutions, public authorities and quality assurance stakeholders at a two-day Round Table held on 29 and 30 September 2026 at the University of Sarajevo.
The first day focused on the lessons learned from piloting the procedure for internal evaluation. Following a presentation by the Agency for Development of Higher Education and Quality Assurance (HEA) on the mandatory content components of study programme self-evaluation reports, representatives of partner universities presented their experiences with conducting self-evaluations of selected study programmes. The presentations addressed practical experiences, challenges encountered during the process, and issues requiring further attention in the development and implementation of internal quality assurance mechanisms.
The programme also included a presentation on the capabilities of the eUNSA university information system, followed by a joint discussion on the conclusions and lessons learned from piloting the internal evaluation procedure.
The second day addressed two important aspects of quality assurance: the selection and appointment of experts and expert training.
The session on the criteria for the selection and appointment of experts brought together representatives of relevant ministries and higher education institutions for a panel discussion on professional qualifications, experience and competencies, as well as the composition and role of expert panels. Contributions from the Croatian Agency for Science and Higher Education (AZVO) and the Slovenian Quality Assurance Agency (NAKVIS) provided an opportunity to reflect on regional practices and consider their relevance to the context of quality assurance in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
A dedicated session was then devoted to Experts Trainings: Results, Experience and Lessons Learned. Representatives of participating universities discussed the objectives and methodology of the trainings, the main topics and competencies addressed, theoretical and practical exercises, feedback from trained experts, as well as key lessons learned and areas for further improvement.
The contributions and discussions throughout the two-day event provided an important opportunity for participating institutions and stakeholders to exchange experiences, identify practical challenges and reflect on ways to further strengthen quality assurance practices in higher education in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Round Table concluded with a wrap-up session highlighting key lessons learned, challenges and areas for further improvement, providing a basis for continued cooperation and further development of quality assurance mechanisms within the SMEQA project.
The SMEQA project, funded under the Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education programme, continues to support the strengthening of institutional capacities and quality assurance mechanisms in higher education in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
