The University of Sarajevo successfully organised the 15th International Staff Training Week
The International Relations Office of the University of Sarajevo organised the 15th International Staff Training Week, held from 18 to 22 May 2026. This year’s edition of the international week was organised in cooperation with two additional parallel events: the Fifth International Social Sciences Week organised by the Faculty of Political Sciences of the University of Sarajevo and the Third International Teaching Staff Week organised by the School of Economics and Business of the University of Sarajevo.
In this way, during the five-day programme, the University of Sarajevo hosted 95 participants representing 59 higher education institutions from 19 countries worldwide. The event gathered international relations officers, administrative and academic staff with the aim of exchanging experiences, developing international cooperation, and strengthening partnerships through the Erasmus+ programme and other international initiatives.
Participants came from universities and institutions from Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Türkiye. Partner institutions included:
- Vienna University of Economics and Business (Austria)
- KU Leuven (Belgium)
- Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” (Bulgaria)
- Masaryk University in Brno (Czech Republic)
- Mendel University in Brno (Czech Republic)
- Palacký University Olomouc (Czech Republic)
- University of West Bohemia in Pilsen (Czech Republic)
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice (Czech Republic)
- University of Zagreb (Croatia)
- Virovitica University of Applied Sciences (Croatia)
- University College Dublin (Ireland)
- Carlo Bo University of Urbino (Italy)
- Marche Polytechnic University (Italy)
- Mercatorum University (Italy)
- University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara (Italy)
- University of Bologna (Italy)
- University of Milano-Bicocca (Italy)
- Riga Technical University (Latvia)
- Kaunas University of Technology (Lithuania)
- LCC International University (Lithuania)
- Lithuanian Sports University (Lithuania)
- Vytautas Magnus University (Lithuania)
- University of Pécs (Hungary)
- Freie Universität Berlin (Germany)
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (Germany)
- Justus Liebig University Giessen (Germany)
- Marburg University (Germany)
- Saarland University (Germany)
- University of Wuppertal (Germany)
- Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń (Poland)
- Poznań University of Economics and Business (Poland)
- University of Lodz (Poland)
- University of Szczecin (Poland)
- University of Wroclaw (Poland)
- Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco (Portugal)
- Polytechnic Institute of Santarém (Portugal)
- ISCA – University of Aveiro (Portugal)
- Polytechnic Institute of Beja (Portugal)
- Porto Accounting and Business School (Portugal)
- University of Coimbra (Portugal)
- “Dunarea de Jos” University of Galati (Romania)
- Politehnica University of Timisoara (Romania)
- University of Oradea (Romania)
- Comenius University Bratislava (Slovakia)
- University of Ljubljana (Slovenia)
- University of Maribor (Slovenia)
- Campus FP (Spain)
- CIFP Audiovisual de Vigo (Spain)
- Antonio Faílde School of Art and Design (Spain)
- Mestre Mateo School of Art and Design (Spain)
- University of Granada (Spain)
- University of Jaén (Spain)
- University of Valladolid (Spain)
- Lund University (Sweden)
- İzmir Tınaztepe University (Türkiye)
- Koç University (Türkiye)
- Middle East Technical University – METU (Türkiye)
- Sakarya University (Türkiye)
- University of Ankara (Türkiye)
The programme began with the official opening of the exhibition “Erasmus España – Bosnia and Herzegovina: A Journey through Culture and Creativity”, a project implemented by the International Relations Office in cooperation with the Embassy of the Kingdom of Spain in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The audience was addressed by H.E. María Molina Álvarez de Toledo, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Prof. Dr. Kemal Durić, Vice-Rector for International Relations of the University of Sarajevo, and Prof. Dr. Tarik Zaimović, Rector of the University of Sarajevo, who officially declared the exhibition open.
In their speeches, the speakers highlighted the successful and long-standing cooperation between the University of Sarajevo and the Embassy of the Kingdom of Spain in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as its contribution to strengthening academic, educational, and cultural ties between the two countries. Particular emphasis was placed on the successful cooperation between the University of Sarajevo and Spanish universities through Erasmus+ mobility programmes, joint projects, knowledge and experience exchange, and the development of international partnerships in higher education and research.
More information about the exhibition is available on the University of Sarajevo website https://unsa.ba/novosti/svecano-otvorena-izlozba-erasmus-spanija-i-bosna-i-hercegovina-putovanje-kulture-i.
The International Week was opened with welcoming remarks by Prof. Dr. Kemal Durić, Vice-Rector for International Relations, and the team of the International Relations Office of the University of Sarajevo. During the introductory session, participants were introduced to the city of Sarajevo, the history, organisational structure, and internationalisation strategy of the University of Sarajevo, as well as the culture, language, and identity of the peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the aim of bringing the country closer to international guests.
On the second day of the programme, part of the participants visited Mostar, where they were guests of the “Džemal Bijedić” University of Mostar and took part in the activities of their international week. Through a joint international programme, participants had the opportunity to learn more about the activities and international projects of the Mostar-based university, as well as the cultural and historical heritage of the city of Mostar.
The third day of the programme focused on Erasmus+ mobility and the challenges of international cooperation. Participants attended the workshop “Mastering Erasmus+ at the University of Sarajevo + Erasmus gone wrong”, led by Adnan Rahimić, which through interactive group work opened discussions on everyday challenges in implementing Erasmus+ mobilities and possible innovative solutions. The programme continued with a presentation of the ArtCamp International Summer School of Art by the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen, as well as a presentation on promoting Erasmus+ at the University of Granada.
The fourth day focused on internationalisation at home, inclusion, and accessibility of international programmes for all students and staff members. Special emphasis was placed on the activities of the European University Alliance EUPeace, presented together with her students by Prof. Dr. Mirzana Pašić Kodrić, Professor at the Faculty of Education of the University of Sarajevo and leader of Work Package 3 within the EUPeace Alliance dedicated to the internationalisation of teacher education. The programme also included presentations of the EurIdentity Certificate at Saarland University and Erasmus+ projects promoting inclusion and adapted physical activity. Participants also exchanged experiences regarding inclusion, diversity, and top-up grants with representatives of Freie Universität Berlin and Riga Technical University. On the same day, the University of Sarajevo hosted participants of the staff week organised by the “Džemal Bijedić” University of Mostar, who enjoyed both the programme of our event and the city of Sarajevo.
The final day was dedicated to Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) projects and future forms of cooperation. Participants discussed the use of artificial intelligence in international relations offices, challenges related to low numbers of mobility applications, and ways of preparing and implementing BIP projects. The programme concluded with shared conclusions, exchange of experiences, and plans for future cooperation between partner institutions.
Through its rich academic and intercultural programme, the 15th International Staff Training Week once again confirmed the role of the University of Sarajevo as an important regional centre for international cooperation and an active partner within the European Higher Education Area.
