Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the West Herzegovina Canton

Overview

The Ministarstvo prosvjete, znanosti, kulture i športa Županije zapadnohercegovačke (Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the West Herzegovina Canton) is a regional government ministry in Bosnia and Herzegovina, based in Široki Brijeg. Founded in 2004, it is mandated to oversee preschool, primary, secondary and higher education, as well as scientific research, cultural heritage and sport within the West Herzegovina Canton. According to uniRank, this Ministry plays a crucial role in advancing the education, science, culture and sports sectors locally, shaping access, regulation and development for all levels of education.

History and Legal Framework

The West Herzegovina Canton was established in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the post‑Dayton period, forming part of the decentralised cantonal system. The Ministry emerged in 2004, pursuant to the Cantonal Constitution and the law on cantonal ministries. It functions under a legal package comprising:

• the Cantonal Constitution;
• law on ministries and the civil service;
• Education Acts covering preschool, primary and secondary schooling;
• the Law on Higher Education (adopted by Cantonal Assembly in accordance with the state-level Framework Law on Higher Education);
• laws on sport, cultural heritage, libraries and diplomas recognition.

These laws empower the Ministry to adopt regional education regulations, issuing bylaws and decisions that align with national and European standards, including the Bologna Process.

Mission, Vision and Objectives in Higher Education

The Ministry’s mission centres on delivering access and quality higher education while aligning with European standards. Key objectives include:

1. Ensuring implementation of the Bologna Process, mutual recognition of qualifications and adoption of European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).
2. Promoting research and innovation, through support for university projects and cooperation initiatives.
3. Overseeing higher education curricula development in partnership with institutions.
4. Maintaining transparency in student enrolment and academic standards.

On its website, the Ministry emphasises: “Podržavamo istraživačke projekte i inicijative koje promiču izvrsnost u znanosti,” reflecting a commitment to elevate research and teaching in the Canton’s universities and colleges.

Governance, Structure and Independence

Governance is exercised through a ministerial team accountable to the West Herzegovina Cantonal Government and Assembly. The current minister is Daniela Perić, assisted by advisors for science, culture and sport. The organisational structure includes:

• Sectors for education & science; culture & sport; legal & general affairs; traffic education; accounting; and a Cantonal Inspection Service.
• Zavod za zaštitu kulturno‑povijesne baštine, a technical body for heritage protection reporting to the Ministry.

While the Ministry autonomously sets regional education strategies and approves curricula for higher education institutions, accreditation and licensing decisions follow formal recommendations from the state‑level Agency for Development of Higher Education and Quality Assurance. This arrangement preserves institutional autonomy and standardised practice across all cantons.

Accreditation and Quality Evaluation in Higher Education

The Ministry plays a central role in the accreditation process by:

• Formally submitting licensing applications to the Agency, based on Cantonal compliance with regulations;
• Participating in expert evaluation of institutional self‑assessment reports and infrastructure requirements;
• Monitoring compliance with education standards via its Inspection Service;
• Approving academic operations once licensure is granted at the national level.

Quality assurance frameworks are aligned with European quality standards (ESG) and Cantonal universities must meet criteria set in both Cantonal law and Agency norms. The Ministry also contributes to student recognition and diploma validation procedures.

International Cooperation and Network Memberships

The Ministry actively engages in the broader European education and research community. Notable collaborations include:

• A bilateral MoU signed in March 2025 with the German agency GOPA/OeAD as part of the national “TVET BiH” project, aimed at strengthening vocational education and work‑based learning systems.
• Participation in the Bologna Follow‑up Group through the Conference of Ministers of Education in Bosnia and Herzegovina, advocating European harmonisation.
• Engagement with UNESCO initiatives such as media literacy and teacher capacity‑building programmes in West Herzegovina.
• Networking with similar cantonal ministries via the Western Balkans Info Hub and EU‑funded regional R&I platforms.

Current and Future Impact on Higher Education

Across 2024–2025 the Ministry has:

• Launched Cantonal “Centri izvrsnosti” for gifted students and prospective academics, supporting enrolment and talent development.
• Commissioned expert working groups to draft secondary vocational education bylaws and integrate work‑based learning within mainstream schooling.
• Opened public tenders to co‑fund applied research, student mobility and infrastructure development in higher education facilities.
• Updated legal framework for curriculum design in universities to better align with EHEA objectives.

These initiatives are expected to raise academic standards, expand opportunities for international cooperation and strengthen the regional vocational‑to‑university learning pathways.

Summary

The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the West Herzegovina Canton serves as the principal regional authority managing education policy, higher education programming, research promotion and cultural‑sporting life. Operating within a well‑defined legal and administrative structure, it ensures harmonisation with European norms while enabling Cantonal responsiveness. Through targeted programmes—such as the Centre of Excellence initiative, the 2025 TVET MoU and Bologna compliance strategies—it drives both qualitative and quantitative growth in university education and vocational training.

FAQs

• What is this Ministry responsible for?
  It oversees preschool, primary, secondary and higher education in the West Herzegovina Canton, plus science, culture, sport and cultural heritage protection.
• When was it established?
  The Ministry was founded in 2004 following the Canton’s formation and the adoption of the cantonal constitution.
• Who governs the Ministry?
  It is headed by the Minister (currently Daniela Perić), who reports to the Cantonal Government and Assembly.
• How is higher education regulated?
  Institutions and programmes must be licensed by the national Agency on recommendation from the Ministry, under the state‑level Framework Law and Cantonal Higher Education Laws.
• What role does the Ministry play in quality assurance?
  It monitors compliance through inspections, approves regional implementation of higher‑education curricula and collaborates with the national Quality Assurance Agency.
• How does it support international collaboration?
  It participates in EU and UNESCO initiatives and has signed MoUs—such as with GOPA/OeAD—to develop vocational and research systems in cooperation with international partners.

Organization Name

Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the West Herzegovina Canton
Ministarstvo prosvjete, znanosti, kulture i športa Županije zapadnohercegovačke

Acronym

Year of Establishment

2004

Control Type

Public

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

Local or Regional

Recognized by

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Affiliations or Memberships

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Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

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Address

Stjepana Radića 37b
Široki Brijeg
88220 Federacija Bosna i Hercegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina

Phone

+387 (39) 703 230

Fax

+387 (39) 703 235

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Official Social Media Channels

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Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the West Herzegovina Canton's Facebook page

X (Twitter)

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LinkedIn

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YouTube

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Instagram

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Wikipedia Article

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