Within the SMEQA project, the workshop titled “Training of Experts – Strengthening Capacities of the Quality Assurance in Higher Education System” was successfully held on 12 May 2026 in Banja Luka.
The event took place at the University of Banja Luka, hosted by the Faculty of Agriculture University of Banja Luka, and brought together representatives of the Agency for Development of Higher Education and Quality Assurance of Bosnia and Herzegovina, project partners, and international experts in the field of quality assurance in higher education.
The workshop opened with welcome remarks from representatives of the University of Banja Luka, HEA, and the project coordinator, followed by an introduction to the objectives and methodology of the training. A significant contribution was made by a representative of NAKVIS, who presented Slovenian experiences in expert training, highlighting best practices in capacity building and expert selection.
The core of the programme focused on practical, hands-on activities, including a simulation of the expert preparation phase and site visit process. Participants engaged in the analysis of selected excerpts from Self-Evaluation Reports (SER), group work based on assigned roles, and simulated interviews conducted during site visits.
Through group work and plenary discussions, participants exchanged experiences and identified key challenges in quality assurance processes, with particular emphasis on evidence collection, criteria assessment, and preparation of oral reports. The final session addressed the importance of structured and objective reporting, providing guidelines for clear, evidence-based writing.
The workshop concluded with a productive discussion and reflection on key lessons learned, reaffirming the importance of continuous training of experts for strengthening the quality assurance system in higher education in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
This event was organized in cooperation with the HERE team in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as part of synergistic efforts aimed at enhancing quality assurance capacities in higher education.
