Prof Zoran Tomić, PhD, re-elected as Rector of the University of Mostar

The Senate of the University of Mostar re-elected professor Zoran Tomić, PhD, for the Rector of the University of Mostar for a new four-year term. The deans were elected in March, so the election period ended, and the Senate of the University of Mostar is to be significantly changed from 1 October 2021.

Before re-election, Rector Tomić presented a programme titled "Vision of the University". "We need a new vision, a vision that includes a new dimensioning of the role of universities in society", said Rector Tomić, emphasizing that a lot has changed in society and thus in higher education.

Rector Tomić divided his program into eighteen parts, pointing out new forms of organization and use of the University resources. In the next four-year term, we will devise a new strategy, but the University is waiting for international accreditation as well as accreditation of the study programmes. The central place of the programme is dedicated to education and teaching. The programme emphasizes quality and innovative education, interdisciplinary graduate and doctoral study programmes, dual education as well as the perspective of new study programmes, primarily in music arts and theatre and film arts.

The emphasis is on the importance of research and transfer of technologies and innovations, construction of scientific infrastructure, artistic creation etc., in the field of scientific, artistic and professional development. Quality management remains a strategic area of the University's work as well as international cooperation. In terms of international relations, the focus stays on the internationalization of universities. It includes mobility of students and teachers, internationalization of study programmes, partnership through international research projects, strengthening the network of bilateral agreements, etc.

The University of Mostar will also strengthen its social role through social integration, strongly supporting the work of dislocated centres in Central Bosnia and Posavina. The focus will be on increasing projects at the University of Mostar. Project activities occupy a high place in the priorities of the University leadership in the next four years.

Rector Tomić paid special attention to students, emphasizing that students are and must be partners in decision-making, vision building and strategic action. The University Student Council will be a place where students' ideas will be discussed and implemented in dialogue with the university leadership.

In the programme, Rector Tomić also commented on the importance of the Office and Centres of the University. Especially, he emphasized the Office for Students with Disabilities and the Rehabilitation Centre, which is planned to be established at the University. The field of information technologies will continue to be a strategic area of development of the University of Mostar, and the commissioning of a super modern IT centre at SUM is expected next year.

In the next four years, the University of Mostar will significantly increase sports activities through the University Sports Federation. We will intensify work on the promotion of SUM as well as the artistic field in which students are involved.