The POLICY ANSWERS team from Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) included representatives of the University of Sarajevo, headed by the Vice-Rector for Research, Prof. Mirza Dautbašić, representatives of the University of Banja Luka headed by Assistant Professor Anđela Pepić, Head of the Centre for Development and Research Support of the University of Banja Luka, as well as the representatives of the Ministry of Science, Technology Development and Higher Education of Republika Srpska, and representatives of the Ministry of Science, Higher Education, and Youth of Sarajevo Canton.

The team took part in the event Science Days, organised by the Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency (ARIS), where they also met the representatives of the Agency. The meeting was an excellent opportunity to exchange useful information on models of research financing, plans for investments in the research and innovation sector in Slovenia, and ways to secure financial resources and strengthen the capacities of all actors in the field of research and innovation.

Representatives of both ministries from Bosnia and Herzegovina had a meeting with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of Slovenia. The meeting aimed to discuss the current developments in the field of research and innovation, as well as explore possibilities for supporting activities that will help implement the Western Balkans Agenda, in the areas of cooperation in research and innovation, education, culture and sports. The discussion also involved examining models for financing research activities, as well as methods for monitoring and evaluating research projects.

On the second day of the visit, a meeting was organised with the management of the University of Ljubljana. The POLICY ANSWERS team from Bosnia and Herzegovina met with representatives of the University of Ljubljana headed by the Rector, Prof. Gregor Majdič. During this meeting, the team learned about research activities at the University of Ljubljana, active programmes to support R&D, participation in international research projects, and plans for future events. The discussion concluded with possible collaborations in research and joint participation in project activities, as well as activities to support research and innovation activities at BiH universities through international associations and forums.

The original event report in the local language is available here.