Ministarstvo za obrazovanje, nauku, kulturu i sport Bosansko-podrinjskog kantona

Overview

Ministarstvo za obrazovanje, nauku, kulturu i sport Bosansko‑podrinjskog kantona (the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of the Bosnian-Podrinje Canton / BPK Goražde) is the cantonal executive body in charge of shaping and implementing policy across preschool, primary, secondary and higher education, science and research, cultural heritage, adult education and sports within the Canton. Founded in 1994 and operating under the jurisdiction of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, it is headquartered in the city of Goražde and functions under the broader budget of Bosnian‑Podrinje Canton. According to uniRank, it plays a vital role among higher‑education‑related organisations in Bosnia and Herzegovina and is a key instrument in regional education governance.

History and Legal Framework

The Bosnian-Podrinje Canton was formally established in 1996 under the Federal Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, granting cantons exclusive jurisdiction over education, culture, sports and policing. The higher education responsibilities date to the Cantonal Law on Higher Education adopted in 2010 (Official Gazette No. 2/10), later amended in 2014, 2017 and 2021 to harmonise with national and EU norms.

Since the enactment of the national Framework Law on Higher Education in 2007, the Cantonal Ministry’s regulations and statutes—including the 2015 Act on Adult Education—have been aligned with European principles such as the Bologna Process and the Lisbon Recognition Convention. A separate Cantonal Law on Adult Education (2015) and laws governing primary, secondary and cultural policy provide the Ministry with a comprehensive legal base.

Mission, Vision and Objectives and Role in Higher Education

Mission: To ensure equal access to high-quality education, research and cultural enrichment for all residents of BPK Goražde, fostering lifelong learning, scientific innovation and healthy lifestyles.

Vision: A region recognised for educational excellence, creative cultural dynamics and sport as a driver of social inclusion.

Key objectives include:

• Develop and implement cantonal curricula aligned with national Framework Law and Bologna standards;
• Support higher education institutions in securing accreditation and in developing research capacity;
• Promote adult learning, vocational training and skills matching to Canton labour market needs;
• Facilitate national and international cooperation in teaching, innovation, culture and sport.

Within higher education, the Ministry contributes to developing study programmes, overseeing recognition procedures (notably foreign degree equivalence), monitoring access conditions, administering cantonal scholarship schemes and coordinating with the Agency for the Development of Higher Education and Quality Assurance to maintain compliance with licence standards and quality protocols.

Governance, Structure and Independence

The Ministry is one of the executive departments of the Cantonal Government and is led by a Cantonal Minister—currently Adisa Alikadić‑Herić—appointed by the Premier and approved by the Cantonal Assembly.

The internal structure comprises nine sectors, including:

• Sector for Legal Affairs (regulation and legislation);
• Sector for Preschool, Primary and Secondary Education;
• Sector for Secondary, Vocational and Higher Education;
• Sector for Science, Culture, Arts and Information;
• Sector for Sports;
• Administrative‑Technical Sector; Economic Affairs Sector; Traffic Safety Sector; an Inspektorat (inspection body).

The Ministry operates with administrative autonomy within its legislative mandate and independently implements sectoral policy. Its inspectors perform regulatory supervision of education facilities and its advisory body—the Pedagoški zavod (Pedagogical Institute)—provides technical expertise in curriculum design, teacher training and pedagogy. All major decisions are made in accordance with Cantonal laws and the institutional framework defined by both state and Federation‑level laws.

Accreditation and Quality Evaluation Role in Higher Education

The Ministry does not directly award institutional accreditation—that is done at the national level by the Agency for the Development of Higher Education and Quality Assurance. However, the Ministry is authorised to:

• Submit proposed cantonal legislation aligning with national accreditation criteria;
• Review and endorse higher education study programmes before submission for national (re‑)accreditation;
• Manage recognition of foreign academic qualifications within the Canton through implementing Law No. 2/2010 and its 2021 amendments;
• Ensure compliance with pedagoški standards and space/normative requirements for university study programmes;
• Collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Education and Science to implement the Bologna Process and lifelong learning principles.

The Ministry oversees policy implementation, but the final quality assessment and license granting remain with the national accreditation agency. It participates in expert committees and regional forums that provide feedback to the state‑level body.

International Cooperation and Network Memberships

The Ministry engages in international cooperation in several ways:

• Working with foreign development partners, notably GIZ and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, to implement reforms in secondary vocational education and adult learning;
• Supporting student and staff mobility under Erasmus and vocational pathways;
• Participating in the Southeastern European education policy network (ERI‑SEE) and liaising with the national Centre for Information and Recognition of Qualifications (ENIC/NARIC) on recognition protocols;
• Taking part in Council of Europe and UNESCO‑led initiatives on inclusive, democratic education; representatives from BPK ministries attend study visits and expert boards in Strasbourg and Brussels;
• Co‑hosting regional cultural events, academic conferences and sporting events that reinforce cross‑border academic and cultural exchange.

Current or Future Impact on Higher Education

The Ministry has had significant and expanding impact on both higher education and workforce development:

• Since 2018 it has introduced a dual‑mode secondary vocational education system to prepare school‑to‑work transitions. Vocational centres coordinate apprenticeships with local business partners under new cantonal regulations;
• In the field of adult education, the inaugural Cantonal Law of 2015 established frameworks for lifelong learning, skills upgrading and non‑formal education for all age groups;
• The Ministry administers cantonal scholarships and grants designed to retain high achievers in regional universities and promote research dissemination in science, technology, humanities and arts;
• Future plans include expanding distance learning modalities, digitising assessment systems, enhancing university–industry partnerships and increasing R&D grants to inter‑cantonal institutions.

These initiatives support the Canton in gradually harmonising with broader European Higher Education Area (EHEA) targets and improving both employability and regional innovation capacity.

Summary

The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Bosnian-Podrinje Canton Goražde is a key cantonal authority with a broad legal mandate over education at all levels, culture and sports. It emerged within the constitutional framework of post‑Dayton governance and is governed by a portfolio of cantonal laws aligned with national and European frameworks. Its mission is to deliver quality education, promote lifelong learning and foster a culture of inclusive research and sport. Structurally organised into nine sectors and supported by a Pedagogical Institute, the Ministry wields both regulatory and advisory power. While national agencies handle accreditation, the Ministry shapes curriculum, recognition and scholarship policy. It actively partners with international bodies to reform curricula and strengthen administration. Through dual vocational education reforms, scholarship programmes and digital strategies, it is poised to enhance higher education capacity in line with European standards.

FAQs

• What does the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of BPK do?
  It develops and implements cantonal policy for preschool, primary, secondary and higher education, regulates cultural and sports activities, administers scholarships and ensures compliance with local laws and education standards.
• Who accredits universities in Bosnian-Podrinje Canton?
  Accreditation is granted at the national level by the Agency for the Development of Higher Education and Quality Assurance, not the Cantonal Ministry. The Ministry participates in programme endorsement and recognition procedures.
• How does the Ministry recognise foreign degrees?
  Under the Cantonal Law on Higher Education (2010, amended 2021), the Ministry oversees local procedures for foreign qualification recognition in consultation with higher education institutions and the national recognition centre.
• Is the Ministry independent of the Federation government?
  Yes. It operates as a cantonal body with autonomy within its constitutional jurisdiction, implementing laws passed by the Cantonal Assembly and not under direct control from the Federation’s executive.
• How does the Ministry support vocational training and reimbursement?
  It introduced a dual vocational education reform in 2018, issuing regulations for internships in local businesses and training guidelines to foster employment-focused learning.
• Does it support international exchange programmes?
  Yes. It collaborates with EU and Council of Europe networks, supports Erasmus mobility and works with CIP/ENIC centres to facilitate student and staff exchanges.

Organization Name

Ministarstvo za obrazovanje, nauku, kulturu i sport Bosansko-podrinjskog kantona
Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Bosnia-Podrinje Canton

Acronym

Year of Establishment

1/01/1994

Control Type

Public

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

Local or Regional

Recognized by

n.a.

Affiliations or Memberships

n.a.

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

n.a.

Address

Višegradska 2a
Goražde
73000 Federacija Bosna i Hercegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina

Phone

+387 (38) 221 212

Fax

+387 (38) 224 161

n.a.

Official Social Media Channels

Facebook

Not available

X (Twitter)

Not available

LinkedIn

Not available

YouTube

Not available

Instagram

Not available

Wikipedia Article

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