The University of Mostar participated in the world's largest education fair and the NAFSA Annual Conference, the world's largest association dedicated to international education and exchange, held in New Orleans, Louisiana. The fair brought together over a thousand international educators and representatives of educational institutions from 105 countries. Representing the University of Mostar at the fair was the Vice-Rector for International Cooperation, Prof. Dr. Sanja Bijakšić, and it is noteworthy that the University of Mostar was the only representative from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
NAFSA was an excellent opportunity for establishing and enhancing institutional partnerships. The University of Mostar negotiated cooperation agreements with representatives from Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan, Italy; National University of Arts of Bucharest in Romania; The Federal University of Paraná and Universidade Federal de Itajubá from Brazil, which is considered the first technological university in Brazil and has three campuses in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Belo Horizonte. Cooperation agreements were also made with the National University of La Matanza from Buenos Aires, Argentina, and the University of Lleida in Spain, founded in 1300.
Prof. Dr. Sanja Bijakšić, Vice-Rector for International Cooperation, also held working meetings on possible collaborations with several universities from Spain, the Czech Republic, the USA, Germany, Italy, France, and Portugal. Further discussions and steps in establishing collaborations will be undertaken by the Office for International Cooperation at the University of Mostar. Internationalization is of key importance for the development of the academic community, and the expansion of international partnerships will significantly contribute to the well-being of students and faculty.
NAFSA's goals include exploring trends in professional development and career advancement, emphasizing the global imperative for social justice and access, and highlighting the importance of inclusive internationalization for long-term impact on campuses and local and global communities. The NAFSA Annual Conference, along with the fair, presents ideas and global perspectives related to the conference theme.
The conference also includes programs that support the health and well-being of students, faculty, and staff in the international educational community, the role of leaders in enhancing inclusivity and building relationships on campus and with key stakeholders, exploring international education as a catalyst and foundation for an inclusive future, and transformative ideas that redefine the mobility of students, faculty, and staff. Additionally, there is an emphasis on the integration and creative use of technology in international educational programs and services.
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