University of Banja Luka

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University of Banja Luka Faculty of Electrical
Engineering
PhD in Information and Communication Technology
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Introduction
History
Faculty of Electrical Engineering (FEE) is the
oldest Faculty of the University of Banja Luka,
growing from Department of Electronics and
Telecommunications, founded in 1962, as the
Department of the Technical Faculty of Banja
Luka. In 1970s the need for electrical engineers
increased and the Department was separated from
the Technical Faculty, establishing the Faculty
of Electrical Engineering in 1975. At the
beginning, there were the Department of
Electronics and Telecommunications and Department
of Computer Science and Automatics. Since 1995
there has been the Department of Power
Engineering also.
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Introduction
History
Each year, 30-50 students received a Diploma
Engineer degree at the FEE, and there have been
about 2000 students who graduated so far. In
addition to undergraduate programs, the FEE also
offers programs at Master of Science and Doctoral
(Ph.D.) level. Postgraduate studies are organized
for specialized areas depending on student
interests. For the first time postgraduate
studies were organized in 1971/72.
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Introduction
Integration of the University
Since June 2007, University of Banja Luka is an
integrated university. The FEE as well as others
faculties joined the University. University of
Banja Luka has now 16 faculties, 53 study
programs, with about 17000 students.
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Introduction
ECTS based study programs
The FEE had started with ECTS based I cycle (8
semesters) study programs in academic 2004/05
year and with II cycle (2 semesters) study
programs in academic 2008/09 year 1. Study
program for computer science and
informatics 2. Study program for electronics and
telecommunications 3. Study program for
power engineering and industrial
systems III cycle study programPhD in
Information and Communication Technology started
in 2009/2010 academic year.
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PhD in Information and Communication Technology
(PhD in ICT)

• Implemented by University of Banja Luka,
  Faculty of Electrical Engineering,
  University of Paderborn, International
  Graduate School of Dynamic Intelligent Systems,
• as a twinning institution
• Co-founded by Degree Development Structure (DDS)
  WUS Austria, Austrian Development
  Cooperation (ADC) and ERP-Funds ( Austrian
  Support to Higher Education in Bosnia and
  Herzegovina 2008 2011)

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PhD in ICT
Mission of the programme
PhD in Information and Communication Technology,
addressing the 3rd degree (Doctoral) study in the
scientific field of ICT, would enable students to
earn highest academic degree - Ph.D. Through this
program, which should be ended with doctoral
dissertation, the students are expected to become
researchers and experts in the field of ICT,
capable to give original contribution to
scholarship or scientific knowledge, to exemplify
the highest standards in the field of ICT and to
be of lasting value to the intellectual community.
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PhD in ICT
Mission of the programme
There's a major lack of the researchers and
experts with Ph.D. degree in the field of ICT in
Bosnia and Herzegovina, for example for
university professor positions, consultants or
research and development leaders in government
departments, non-governmental organizations
(NGOs), and in the private sector. The aim of
this 3rd degree program is to strengthen the
research potential and to overcome the gap
between the existing state and actual needs.
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PhD in ICT
Structure of the programme
By the law in Bosnia and Herzegovina doctoral
study programs last 3 years (6 semesters) and are
assigned with 180 ECTS. During the first and
second semester students will be prepared for the
final thesis through selected modules and courses
(42 ECTS) and research (12 ECTS).
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PhD in ICT
Structure of the programme
In the first three semesters, each student have
to choose a topic of dissertation and prepare the
thesis proposal. The thesis proposal should be
delivered up to 18 months after starting the
programme. The next three semesters students
research closely related to the final thesis and
in the last semester have to complete the final
thesis (dissertation). Final thesis has to
present original contribution to knowledge in the
chosen research area. Each student receive
individual guidance by a mentor. Beyond the
regular mentorships, student's progress are
monitored by a PhD committee.
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PhD in ICT
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PhD in ICT
Implementation of the programme

• Preliminary activities
• Study visit at University of Paderborn (11
  professors, 7 days)
• Access to academic databases
• Literature purchase (500 EUR/course)
• Individual course preparing, teaching material
• Reorganization of the e-learning www.el.etfbl.net
  platform at Faculty of Electrical Engineering for
  doctoral study

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PhD in ICT
Implementation of the programme

• Preliminary activities
• Brochure creation, adoption the Facultys web
  page
• Workshop for DDS coordinators in WUS Austria
• EESTEC Open day in Belgrade project and
  doctoral study promotion at 23rd Congress of
  the Electrical Engineering Students' European
  Association
• Two informative meeting with potential students
• Promotion of the study half an hour informative
  program at Radio-Television of the Republic of
  Srpska

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PhD in ICT
Implementation of the programme

• Preliminary activities
• Meeting in the Ministry for education and
  culture discussion about legislative and open
  issues in double curricula organization
• The Ministry of education and culture published
  additional rules for III cycle accreditation
• Meeting with the Ministry of science and
  technology, other universities and stakeholders
  representatives
• Some changes in curricula based on International
  evaluation of academic content
• The Ministry of science and technology issued the
  license for organization of the study programme.
  

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PhD in ICT
Implementation of the programme

• Preliminary activities
• Adoption of the code on equivalence of previously
  gained higher education qualifications for
  enrolment at the University of Banja Luka, in the
  purpose of continuation of the study at the
  University of Banja Luka
• Adoption of III cycle study rules

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PhD in ICT
Implementation of the programme

• Enrollment
• A competition for enrollment, candidates
  selection, interviewing and enrollment
• prerequisites
• 300 ECTS
• 12 ECTS from scientific filed Mathematics
• 180 ECTS from scientific field Electrical,
  Electronics and Information Engineering and/or
  Computer and Information Sciences
• fundamental subjects from the specific scientific
  fields, according to the main module

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PhD in ICT
Implementation of the programme

• Enrollment
• 17 candidates applied
• Commission for realization of the 3rd study cycle
  enrollment
• Commissions for individual modules
• interviews with candidates
• 9 candidates passed the admission criteria
• 7 enrolled students

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PhD in ICT
Implementation of the programme

• Enrollment
• Students chose the main module and elective
  courses form other modules
• Each student is guided by a mentor and student's
  progress are monitored by a Commissions for
  his/her main module
• Programme started

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PhD in ICT
Implementation of the programme
International Graduate School for Dynamic
Intelligent Systems

• coordinate the joint development of the
  curriculum
• cooperate in the harmonization of management and
  administrative structures
• exchange teaching staff (send four lecturers to
  Faculty of Electrical Engineering to hold
  courses)
• take over four mentorships of final theses and
  eight memberships in dissertations commissions
• invite 11 course lecturers from Faculty of
  Electrical Engineering to carry out their study
  visits at the University of Paderborn

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PhD in ICT
Implementation of the programme
International Graduate School for Dynamic
Intelligent Systems

• coordinate
• preparing the Curriculum for accreditation by
  ASIIN
• professors specializations in the field of ICT at
  universities of Paderborn and Mälardalen
• professors education in centres of ICT competence
  for research based on accepting key competence
  (research management, knowledge management)
• professors training in the field of reform on
  graduation and research at an European university

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PhD in ICT
Implementation of the programme
International Graduate School for Dynamic
Intelligent Systems

• coordinate
• establishing joined research teams (Faculty of
  Electrical Engineering, University of Paderborn,
  University of Mälerdalen) that will serve as base
  for research at doctoral studies and the planed
  ICT center of competence at Faculty of Electrical
  Engineering supported by stakeholders and
  government
• joint writing and publishing articles and books
• publishing results of joined research at
  conferences and periodicals

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PhD in ICT
Implementation of the programme

• This programme
• internationalize the academic offer regarding
  education
• introduce more research practice at universities
  in BH
• open the possibility for exchange modules/courses
  that will be automatically recognized for
  students of the partner institution
• leads to the integration BH universities into
  the EU education and research area

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PhD in ICT
Future activities
The PhD program established through this project
should be continued for at least three academic
cycles starting from the 2009/2010. The signing
of the contract between project partners adds new
possibilities of cooperation in the field of
graduation and research in engineering science
and permanent modernization of doctoral
studies. The planned joined activities in the
future would result in internationalization in
the fields of academic education and research in
Bosnia and Herzegovina, joint degree programs, as
well as improvements and assurance of quality
regarding the program of studies for postgraduate
students.
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PhD in ICT
Future activities
The foundation and establishment of an alliance
for the Western Balkan with regard to the reform
on doctoral programs and research in engineering
and technology. The establishment of Graduate
Schools as a Center of Excellence at public
universities, they can be used as functional
platforms for the reform and permanent
modernization of doctoral studies. Internationali
zation and Europeanization in the fields of
academic education and research in Bosnia and
Herzegovina through integration and networking
with other Graduate Schools in Germany, Sweden
and Spain.
Thank you for your attention!