University

The general characteristic of the period since the founding of the University, on 11th February 1977, until 1992, had been its instituonalisation, creation of the material conditions for development, assembling of the teaching cadre, organisation of the education based on modern principles. In the period from April of 1992 until 9th May 1993 "The Džemal Bijedić" University suffered a great deal of illegal and violently executed reforms, and practically lost its autonomy.
In May of 1993, the war and taking away of the University's entire property ( its building, equipment, library, student standard buildings), which remained in the possesion of newly founded University of Mostar, caused the temporary interruption of the scientific-teaching process. This process was continued in November of 1993 when the basic conditions were created. At that time, a small numuber of teaching and administrative cadre was facing many problems, but they were menaging to solve them with the help of the authorities of that time, and their own enormous efforts and salf-sacrifice.
The University has menaged to partially solve a certain number of problems up to this day, so working conditions are better now than in the previous period.
The University today employs 111 teachers and associates, and for the purpose of conducting the teaching process 222 visiting teachers and associates have been engaged. In the academic year of 2003/2004 5287 students were enrolled in the learning process at the University.

Certain changes have been made in some of the higher-education institutions, and schools formed within the University were transformed into separate faculties. The Language School was transformed into the Faculty of Humanities, The Computer science school was transformed into The Faculty of Information Technologies, and The Agromediterranean cultures school was transformed into The Agromediterranean Faculty. The Faculty of Economy was transformed into The Faculty for business menagement, The Teacher-training college was transformed into The Teaching Faculty, The Faculty of Mechanical engineering formed the Computer engineering department, and The Law Faculty formed new departments on its two-year study course: Business administration, Public administration menagement and Business law operating.

The scientific-learning process is conducted in approximately 4500m2 of class-room, laboratory and cabinet space within the campus (former military barracks "The Northern Camp"). Such small space is one of the most limiting factors in development of the University, but this campus with its existing infrastructure is an ideal place for locating a modern University centre, and this will be the future goal of the University.

The University Library, which has been deprived of its building and entire book fund, is today located in the premises built and equiped for that purpose, with a permanent enlargement of the book fund.

Regarding the student standard buildings, instead of the former modern dormitory with 550 beds and many additional contents and the capacity for preparation of 1200 meals per day, students today have at their disposal two adapted pavilions in the campus, which are being used as a dormitory with the capacity of 60 beds, studying room and kitchen. Students living in the dormitory take their meals in "The Red Cross" restaurant which is located near by. Twenty-five female students have accomodation in the adapted "Vakuf Darulilm" Dormitory, also within the campus.

In February of 2003, the University Council enacted The Plan of Institutional Development of The University of "Džemal Bijedić" in Mostar for a period of 2003-2010.
Many weaknesses which appeared in past organisation and the menagement of the University, resulted in understanding of the necessity of reforming the higher education. By introducing the new forms of organisation and integration, and reforms in menaging, the University will meet the requirements of harmonizing the system of higher education and will be able to join, as an equal partner, the international university network.