UNIVERSITY PROFILES - MISSION STATEMENT

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1 Banja Luka: Bosna i Hercegovina/RS, Pere Krece 13,, PO box 51 Banja Luka 78102; ; Student Affairs Office: Phones: +387 (0) ; ; ; ; Fax: ; WEB mail: info@apeiron-uni.eu; Rector Office: Phone: +387 (0) ; Fax; ; Postgraduate and Doctoral Studies Council: : +387 (0) ; rektorat@apeiron-uni.eu; College of Modern Management: +387 (0) ; Law College: +387 (0) ; College of Information Technologies: +387 (0) ; College of Health Sciences: +387 (0) ; College of Sports Management: +387 (0) ; Management of Pan-European University Steering Board & Director +387 (0) ; Fax: ; management@apeiron-uni.eu; Library: +387 (0) ; UNIVERSITY PROFILES - MISSION STATEMENT Legal Background Pan-European University "APEIRON" for multidiscipline and virtual studies is an independent higher education institution, which is based on the principles of public and private partnership. University performs its activities according to the Law on Higher Education, based on the Act on fulfillment of conditions for starting the academic activities number /07 from 08/01/2007 and License number /07 from 12/28/2007 both issued by the Ministry of Education and Culture of Republic of Srpska, that permits the Pan-European University to perform the accredited study programs. The university is registered as an institution of higher education in the Register of the Ministry of Education and Culture of Republic of Srpska number / /08 from 06/10/2008 and the register of Main court in Banja Luka, number U/I 4847/05 from 3/17/2006. Pan-European University "APEIRON" is an institution of higher education and research, which works both independently and in cooperation with foreign partners. Within its activities it realizes studies of the first cycle (both 6 and 8 semesters-undergraduate study, equal to credit-points), specialist and master programs of the second cycle (5 years, equal to 300 credit-points) and doctorial programs of the third cycle, as well as life-long learning programs at post-secondary level. The university also performs basic and applied researches in the core study areas and researches of the improvement and development of higher education. According to the field of studies, the university performs regular and mentor studies. According to the teaching practice, it performs classroom teaching, laboratory and clinical praxes and exercises and distance-learning studying. Pan-European University includes: College of Modern Management with study programs: Business Administration & Entrepreneurship, Public Administration & Governance and Banking, Finance, Trade Management; Law College with General Law and Business Law study programs; College of Information Technologies with study programs: Information Technology Engineering and Computer Science Teaching;

2 College of Health Sciences with study programs: Health Care & Nursing, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Sanitary Engineering, Health Care Management and Laboratory Medical Engineering. College of Sports Sciences with study programs: Sports Management, Sports Training and Coaching and Sports Lecturing. History of the Institution Pan-European University was founded from College of Modern Management in the fall of the year of It was a project of both public and private sector whose founders were Publishing house VIZIJA (founded by German non-governmental organization, GESO - Society for the Development of South Eastern Europe - Gesellschaft fur die Entwicklung Sudosteuropas e.v. from Dortmund, micro-credit organization D.BH.G. Job Creation Revolving Fund from Banjaluka) and a group of like-minded experts from the academic community of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the neighboring countries. The motif was creating a private, independent, and autonomous institution of higher education based on the principles of Bologna reform of higher education, the best traditions of Anglo- Saxon colleges and European academism. The goals of the project were reengineering of specific curriculums and syllabi in the fields of management and economy, and applying didactic methods which are practiced at American and European institutions of higher education. This approach would make an alternative to the traditional programs and lack of effectiveness of studies at public universities confronting to the conservative academic environment, which have obstructed reforms of higher education. It would also offer to the young generation in Bosnia and Herzegovina the alternative values of altruism, tolerance, work, studying and acquiring of human and business capital along with hard work, and overtaking the social responsibilities for the well-being of both local and global communities. GESO-Society for the Development of South Eastern Europe has contributed to the project by bringing in the references of several dozen projects implemented in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the field of economic development, reconstruction of infrastructure and dwelling, as well as cultural, social, and political recovery. Publishing house VIZIJA is the establisher of a name-mate international magazine and several independent centers for culture and education in Banja Luka, Laktaši, and Travnik. Their goal was promotion of culture of tolerance, and creating a space for meetings and communication between members of different political, ethnic, and religious groups in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Another goal is an establishment of social and multicultural student s centers welcoming new ideas of the young people, as a specific interaction between the culture, society and the University. It was a modest contribution to peace and reconciliation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. For these purposes, historical theatre in Travnik and the health spa in Laktaši have been reconstructed. Micro-credit organization D.BH.G. Job creation Revolving Fund from Banja Luka is a founder of the project of Business Incubation Center and Agriculture Clusters in sheep and dairy production dedicated for support and promotion of small-scale enterprises, and sustainable development in Bosnia and Herzegovina. University Campus Pan-European University is the only institution of higher education which is registered on institutional level and active in both B-H entities which is given the equal trust from the students of all the constitutional nations. 1 The University is located on the address: Pere Krece 13 in Banja Luka, where the student campus is settled in the reconstructed and renovated former shoe factory Bosna. It holds 1 In the academic year of 2007, there is totally 1229 students from Republic of Srpska, 1052 students from the Federation BH and 35 students from the district of Brčko studding at the university. The university has 5 colleges - university founders, currently as organizational units in Banja Luka, and Open University APEIRON Travnik with 4 colleges registered in the area of Central-Bosnian canton with headquarters in Travnik. School of European knowledge 2

3 5.000 m 2 of indoor space and m 2 of outdoor space. Campus indoor space consists of two amphitheatres, several dozen classrooms, faculty rooms, library and library readingrooms, rector office, deans' offices, administration department and office of student affairs, classrooms for basic and medical studies, chemistry, physical-chemistry, clinical-chemistry and biochemistry labs, ICT & DL lab and two computer cabinets, equipped with the most advanced educational, computer, and telecommunication supplies. The indoor space is organized in such a manner to initiate the interactive efforts of both students and teachers, while all the classrooms are equipped with tools necessary for advanced learning, teleconferencing and video-streaming. Classrooms are equipped with IP video-cameras, stationary wide-area microphones, multimedia computers for acquisition and digitalization of input/output data, digital video projectors and projection panels and screens. All lectures and other education happenings are recorded, digitalized, and catalogued making it possible for the students to go through any lecture, in any time from distant locations. All the computers at the university are integrated in optically wired LAN with the 24/7 broadband access to the Internet capacity of 27 mbps. As a member of the APEIRON university system, there is the Open University "APEIRON" Travnik registered as an independent institution, within the area of Central- Bosnian canton, with four accredited colleges, settled its headquarters in Travnik. The university provided the interior of the old theatre in Travnik, which has been renovated, and along with the architectonic value, it gives a great inspiration for work and studying both for the faculty and students. The same standards of the technical equipment are used at the Travnik campus as in Banja Luka. Mission of Pan-European University The mission of Pan-European University is based on an assumption that the societies of Southeast and East Europe are going through the process of changes, reforms, and transition towards a civil and democratic society, which is characterized by the parliamentary pluralism, legal system, the reign of law and market economy with the domination of private property. Social and economic transition needs a new, deeper knowledge, new perspectives, and a different approach to the economics, legal system, health care, dissemination of information, and acquiring of knowledge. In all the issues stated above, Pan-European University tends to overtake the role of the educator, and the responsibility that goes along with it. With a slogan School of European knowledge, and based on the experience of socially and economically more successful and technologically developed countries, the university tends to create experts educated in multidisciplinary fields with practical knowledge, and with the focus on the development of creative skills of the students. It is to be achieved through the process of practical training applying the contemporary educational standards. Therefore, our social mission is to educate future leaders, capable of creating sustainable social, economic and technological strategies of the country, as well as valuating the human resources which will successfully qualify the young academic generation to this mission. It is the generation that is going to face its civil and economic environment and all the challenges that the future has to offer. Therefore, the university applies the dialogue system of teaching, which is mentor-supported. It is composed as a creative workshop of the faculty and the author's team of high professionals with pedagogic reputation, experienced in practical fields, and capable of overtaking the responsibility for their own accomplishments, and for the study outcomes of the young generation as well. The education of the students is realized through application of contemporary standards in the grading system, organization of studies, didactic methods and School of European knowledge 3

4 the curriculum, based on the best traditions of American colleges, and European universities, along with Bologna principles of reforms of European higher education. The optimal number of elective, major and minor courses is defined, while the students are free to choose from the courses within multidiscipline study groups. This approach enables students to acquire collateral knowledge and skills among the vocational academies, functional organization units and other institutions which are parts of the university, such as: Business Incubation Center, Career Guidance Center, Public Relation Center, Publishing Center, and University Sports Center, all of which enables the students to acquire minor and major qualifications. Theoretical and practical knowledge and skills acquired by the students during the studies are conceptualized to qualify the students for future jobs in high-tech environment, making it possible for the students to become initiative and entrepreneurial, to be able to make psychological evaluation, and to lead working groups and teams, to make decisions in a shortage of time, to continue life-long learning, to select and recognize relevant information in the abundance as well as pollution of information, to manage a number of complex projects simultaneously, and to creatively integrate theoretical and practical knowledge from different professional fields. For the purposes of educational and scientific research and development, highly competent and professional personnel are employed. They are ready to take a risk and the responsibility for the renewal of their local and global communities and transformation of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the society of knowledge, and the society of learning. Pan-European University developed multidiscipline study groups within the scientific fields neglected at public universities, even though they have the greatest potential for the future. One of its goals is implementing contemporary pedagogic technologies based on interactive teaching methods, study workshops, virtual learning environment, and application of ICT (Information and Computer Technologies) and e-learning technologies. A low drop-out percentage is a result of effectiveness and efficiency of the studies, attractiveness of multidiscipline courses corresponding to the future technological and social challenges, as well as psychological and entrepreneurial motivation of students and applying of interactive teaching methods. The university promotes the principles of life-long learning, the right on equal and democratic enrolment to the university and approach to learning and education, the European transparency and mobility of the students and professors and European dimension (the values of the united Europe) in higher education. It affirms the quality assurance of higher education, the quality management system, and quality evaluation. University develops student-centered education, promoting the publicity, transparency and accumulation of al the aspects of grading system and evaluations of student outcomes, as well as achievements and knowledge managed by the students. Contemporary development of the institution and interaction of research and business functions, represent the basis of accomplishment of the University as business, incubation and "career guidance" centre. Student Work and Knowledge Evaluation Pan-European University applies the principle of grading system, where the grade represents the overall student work and achievements managed in finalizing the specific study course, therefore several sources of evaluation and estimation are applied. The student s work includes an active interaction with a teacher, during a dialogue based lecture process. For such a lecture, student prepares questions and discussions in advance School of European knowledge 4

5 through the reading assignments for each following week. This active interaction is evaluated and included in the final grade. It measures the verbal and communication skills of a student, and his/her ability to apply the knowledge in different contextual situations. Besides the interactive lectures, additional activities are included in student s study process, such as: problem workshops and psychological workshops, VIP panels, analytical modeling and role-taken simulations, study-case analysis, summer camps, clinical and professional practice, student s professional works and projects, student s business projects within University Business Incubation Center, research, competitions, and study tours. The students are required to do seminar works, research, and policy papers, which is also included in the final grade. This way a teacher evaluates both general and specific literacy as well as student s capability of doing methodological research. Depending on a field of study, some courses include training sessions and exercises and various forms of student collaborative work. Meticulous dynamics of the curriculum, including 75% of major and 25% of elective courses selection, makes it possible for the students to choose courses according to their individual needs. The students are able to enroll in any core courses that are compatible within their major field of study. Faculty and Associates Educational and scientific activities at the university are responsibilities assigned to the faculty and associates. They maintain the vision, mission, and goals of the university in respects of the laws of non-discrimination, freedom of education and scientific creativity, freedom of speech, and the right of free and critical thinking. Pan-European faculty personnel make their pedagogic work accessible for the public to be objectively evaluated. They are responsible not only for the quality of the knowledge acquired by the students, but also for the drop-out rate, and are required to apply the code on teaching ethics. The teaching is assigned to both full-time professors and ad hoc lecturers entering from social or economic background in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and to the lecturers coming from the neighboring countries. The students are privileged to hear opinions of the leading authorities from some of the most successful corporations, public and political institutions from the wide region and countries of European Union. These engagements are organized through the seminars, individual lectures, and case-studies, covering any of the areas of studies. The teaching process is also assigned to several teachers from EU countries and former Yugoslavia. Some of them are members of both domestic and foreign Academies of Art and Science. It is a determination of the university to gradually employ domestic personnel with master and doctoral degrees contributing to the transitional process in Bosnia and Herzegovina and South-Eastern Europe. A special attention will be given to the personnel currently specializing in societal, economy and administration fields related to BiH. Pan-European University constantly invests in its own personnel, young master and doctoral candidates. That is one of the main principles of its policy. The university contributes these students to choose their study focus and in their research efforts, by financial support and by giving them an opportunity to make a research in foreign countries and finally promoting them later on to higher academic positions. That is the way for the university to accomplish its mission regarding the dissemination of young scholars, and continuous substitution of visiting professors with young domestic faculty staff. School of European knowledge 5

6 Quantifiers the University in Figures Pan-European University "APEIRON" represents in the academic year 2008/09 five founding colleges with fifteen study groups. The university is registered as a publishing house as well, and it is the third publisher in Republic of Srpska, with over 80 textbooks published in current school year. There are students enrolled in the first study cycle (3 and 4 years of undergraduate studies) in full-time studying and distance-learning, and 146 master program candidates. The university has issued bachelor degrees, 32 master degrees and 9 doctoral degrees so far. The percentage of students who passed the study in 5-year study cycle is 82.45%. The university has 55 full-time employed professors and associates, 37 visiting professors and associates and 26 engaged experts and specialists. The university has 47 staff members employed, and 21 employees working part-time jobs. The university has made 17 contracts on scientific research and business cooperation with health and professional institutions which have a status of medical centers, or official state labs, for working on clinical and lab practice by the students of Pan-European University. Those centers become the teaching bases for the curriculum in medical and bio-technical research. Pan-European University has a status of Microsoft IT Academy Partner, Prometric and Pearson VUE test center. The university has made a number of contracts on academic, scientific and technological business cooperation with several institutions of higher education from Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy and Germany, and with several companies from Bosnia and Herzegovina and some companies abroad. Banja Luka, April Rector Prof. dr Dragan DANELIŠEN, s.r. School of European knowledge 6