University of Sarajevo

The University of Sarajevo is a public university whose beginnings date back to 1573 when the Gazi Husrev-beg Library was founded, the oldest institution within the University of Sarajevo. It is the largest and the oldest university in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and alma mater of all public universities in the country. The modern history of the University begins in 1940 with the opening of the first secular higher education institutions. Today, the University of Sarajevo is comprised of twenty-two faculties, three academies and five research institutes with the status of full members, internally organized within six Science/Arts Groups from the fields of Social sciences, Humanities, Medical Sciences, Natural, mathematical and biotechnical sciences, Technical sciences, and Arts. Approximately 27000 students are currently enrolled at 226 Bachelor, 206 Master, and 111 Ph. D. study programs.

We are aware that TIMSS 2007 and PISA 2018 studies showed that our students have low achievements in science, but their positive attitudes towards science are promising so we can work on the improvement of the results of international studies but also on improving science education in general. Since our university is the oldest and the largest in the country, our students come from all regions of the country. There is no doubt in the need for action – to improve science education at all levels. We can do that through the continuous professional development of teachers, and investment in schools (laboratory and IT equipment). ESTA project can provide us with new competencies, dissemination of our experience, and in improving teacher education.

Dr. Ines Nuić, Assistant professor

My name is Ines. I currently hold the position of assistant professor in chemistry education. I have encountered with diversity and heterogeneity during my education, both linguistic and cultural, but there was no systematic approach to this issue, although it was addressed occasionally in existing syllabi. I hope we will gain new experience through collaborating with our international partners who also encounter similar issues. It would enable us to address these issues with our pre-service and in-service teachers and consequently enable them to deal with heterogeneity in their classrooms.

Dr. Meliha Zejnilagić-Hajrić

My name is Meliha and I am a professor of Chemistry Education. One of my research interests is the education of chemistry teachers with focus on research and application of active methods of teaching and learning for pre-service and in-service teachers. Science student-teachers at UNSA come from the entire country with different linguistic and cultural background. It is a challenge to prepare our student-teachers and teachers at schools how to manage heterogeneous classes at school. I expect that research in linguistic heterogeneity and cultural diversity in chemistry classes could be applied in our country.

Dr. Emina Dedić Bukvić, Assistant professor

My name is Emina Dedić Bukvić and I am an associate professor at the University of Sarajevo. My research interests are the education of teachers and pedagogues, professional development of teachers and pedagogues, education policy in the region and further abroad, intercultural education. I am focused on pedagogical and didactic training in the study program of teaching faculties. In this area, I am particularly interested in teaching intercultural education, peace education, and nonviolence in micro pedagogical relations.

Dr. Emira Mešanović-Meša, Assistant professor

My name is Emira Mešanović-Meša and I work as an associate professor of Bosnian, Croatian, and Serbian language at the Faculty of educational sciences in Sarajevo. I strive to teach students that multilingualism is richness in our educational system that allows everyone to feel comfortable and equally valuable. Also, it helps pupils to understand better and learn about each other and to master curricula contents more easily and quickly. Language differences are a challenge that does not have to make the teaching process in the classroom difficult – they can make everything a lot better and more fun.

Merima Mrdić

I am Merima Mrdić, currently working as a Teaching Assistant at the Division for Education in Chemistry, Faculty of Science in Sarajevo. Throughout my teacher education program, the curriculum lacked focus on addressing heterogeneity and diversity in the classroom, despite Bosnia and Herzegovina’s rich cultural and linguistic diversity. I view this project as an opportunity for my professional growth, aiming to advocate for these crucial topics among both current and future chemistry teachers. As a member of the academic staff, I aspire to actively promote strategies that embrace diversity. Collaborating with partner teams excites me as it presents a chance to innovate and share progressive ideas, ultimately contributing to the enhancement of our educational system, and emphasizing respect for heterogeneity and diversity.