On Monday, October 24, at 11 a.m., in the amphitheater of the Faculty of Economics Pale at the University of East Sarajevo (Aleksa anti 3, Pale), a celebration was organized in honor of receiving the prestigious TedQual certificate for the “Tourism and Hospitality” program. Following media statements, officials from the public and private sectors, as well as representatives from academia, joined the ceremony.
Assistant Minister of the Republika Srpska Ministry of Trade and Tourism Predrag Tešić, stated on this occasion: “The Republika Srpska Government assisted the Faculty of Economics Pale in obtaining this international certification. I believe that students who graduate from this faculty will not only be capable of managing the tourism industry in Republika Srpska, but elsewhere in the world. We undoubtedly encourage students to stay and work in our tourism industry, and we anticipate that students from all over the world will begin to recognize our faculties and enroll in the University of East Sarajevo. I expect that other faculties will use this approach to improve their standards.”
The United Nations World Tourism Organization Academy (UNWTO Academy) awards the TedQual certificate, which represents the gold standard for higher education in tourism. Both students in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the tourism sector recognize the importance of TedQual-accredited study programs in ensuring a highly qualified tourism workforce according to international standards. UNWTO. TedQual is a continuous, comprehensive, and voluntary certification system for tourism education, training, and research programs that serves to recognize and support their excellence.
This is the first certificate issued in Bosnia and Herzegovina and only the fifth one in Southeast Europe. The Secretary General of the UNWTO, Zurab Pololikashvili, congratulated this achievement, stating: “I want to congratulate the University of East Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina on this recognition. It is a crucial step in promoting the sustainability of tourism, and we are delighted to welcome another TedQual certificate recipient into our family. Welcome to the family of the UNWTO…”
Dean of the Faculty of Economics Pale Marko Đogo, stated: “We are delighted to notify the public of Republika Srpska and Bosnia and Herzegovina that we are the first institution in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the fifth in the Balkans to receive this certification. The criteria we had to meet included the curriculum’s alignment with the labor market needs, the competency of our faculty and administrative staff, and the availability of a stimulating environment for the selection and advancement of experienced teachers, and their connections to other institutions of higher education offering similar programs. With this certification, we expect an increase in the number of students from the region with the aim of obtaining a diploma that is confirmed by the TedQual certification.”
UNWTO’s TedQual program recognizes young people as future leaders of sustainable tourism management and encourages talented and dedicated individuals to make significant contributions to the tourism industry. The University of East Sarajevo has embarked on a path of excellence and continuous modernization, which demonstrates that the educational system is ready to adapt to the current demands of the local and international tourism industries.
Milica Kovač, a third-year student of the Tourism and Hospitality study program, stated: “Throughout the entire certification process, the team leading this process explained its importance, both through direct involvement and through conversations. Going through each section of self-evaluation, we concluded that this is a method that places students at the center. We recognize that we can influence and actively shape the educational process. As the process continued, student passivity was replaced by activist vigor. At the very end of the certification procedure, we saw the horizon of possibilities opened up by the certification process: from cooperation with the industry on numerous levels, to the possibility of international exchange, and the opportunity to have international lecturers available to us, which we have only dreamed about until now.”
The University received this certification with the technical assistance of the USAID Turizam project, which aims to improve the study program and the environment in which it is conducted, as well as to enhance interaction with industry and the role of students and graduates of the faculty.
“USAID supports Bosnia and Herzegovina’s standing as one of the world’s most vibrant and attractive tourism destinations. Through the support of our Turizam project, we show why this country deserves that prestigious title: unique tourist attractions, the hospitality of local communities, adventure and gastronomy, intertwined with centuries-old culture. Nonetheless, at a time when the global tourism industry is experiencing an unprecedented workforce shortage, quality education becomes vital. USAID supported this important initiative, and we congratulate the Faculty of Economics at the University of East Sarajevo for being the first in Bosnia and Herzegovina to achieve the UN World Tourism Organization’s prestigious TedQual certification! We expect other universities to follow the University of East Sarajevo on the path to excellence and continuous modernization for the development of the tourism industry in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”, the Head of the USAID/BiH Office of Economic Development Karl Wurster stated.
The Faculty of Economics Pale worked diligently to attain the international quality standard TedQual and to enhance higher education in the tourism industry. In April of this year, thanks to the financial support of the RS Ministry of Trade and Tourism, the faculty officially submitted the application. To accelerate Bosnia and Herzegovina’s progress toward the development of competitive and sustainable tourism destinations, the TedQual certification will be an important milestone at a time when the global tourism sector is experiencing a severe shortage of qualified workers.
