ESIS Extension / Bosnia / IS Promotional Activities / Update Memo 5

The ZIRA company is one of the leading companies in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the fields of software engineering. It received the ISO 9001 certificate and now announces readiness for helping in building information systems, education etc.

The privatisation process in Bosnia and Herzegovina also deals with special stocks that were issued to the public-at-large. Several institutions were established and registered for management and dealing with these issues. One of them, the "SIB - AR Invest Sarajevo", was among the first to announce the building of an information system that will be aimed towards all relevant participants (including online services for citizens), connected with other similar systems and totally incorporated to information systems of official financial institutions.

The "Media Plan Institute Sarajevo" together with its international partners will open the nine-month workshop for young experts working in the media areas. Among other topics, great emphasis is placed on themes like online journalism and communications.

The Public Enterprise PTT continues to reconstruct its offices and services for citizens. In the centre of Sarajevo a new, completely computerised place was opened for public postal services.

WUS Austria opened the CIC - Counselling and Information Center in Banja Luka (capitol of Republika Srpska). CIC is the information centre for students, assistants and professors for offering various information, including education on Internet.

The program was launched by the World University Service Austria (WUS) as the successor of very successful program "Ideas for Acrions" several years ago. Its goal is to promote practical implementation of students' projects. The tender was closed in May 2000. In June 2000 the Board announced the results. 33 projects were approved from five universities: Sarajevo, Tuzla, Bihac and Mostar (2 universities). Among them, nine are connected to IS themes: Real-time operational workstation, Laboratory practice for digital electronic, Modernisation of laboratory practise for Electric Circuit Theory and Analogue and Digital Filters, Helping students with special needs and volunteers, Equipment of computer panel for experimental analysis within modelling and optimisation of technology process, Web pages for "Basis of Electrotechnic", CD Rom-photo, Implementation of expert systems into teaching process, and EDUSOFT.

The World University Service Austria announced two tenders for applications for Network Infrastructure Projects. They see efficient use of information technology as one of the key factors in the development of the education sector. Internet technology will provide the means for efficient worldwide exchange of information which is crucial to progress in science and higher education. The support that World University Service is able to provide in this framework should help to create and improve the internet infrastructure of the universities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Here the term infrastructure should be understood in a comprehensive sense, covering not only hardware, but also software, organisation and know-how. It is assumed that the applying organisation has developed a strategy for the future use of information technology. The NIP program is intended for granting support to networking projects that help in pursuing the IT strategy of your institution.

Since emphasis will be placed on networking, no support will be given to the purchase of computer equipment. The applying organisation can either be the whole university or single faculties. Projects will be supported up to a value of 5.000 Euro per institution. As a "test-bed" for N.I.P. the World University Service Austria already donated some 5.000 Euro to the University Dzemal Bijedic in Mostar for establishment of fibre optic links in the campus.

The Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina has received a load from the International Development Association towards the cost of the Second Electric Power Reconstruction Project. The electro-distribution company of Republika Srpsjka (Elektroprivreda RS) invites bids for the supply, supervision of installation, testing and commission of the control, protective relaying and communication systems.

The conference was held in Sarajevo in May 2000. It has been organised jointly by the Independent Media Commission, the Institute for Standards, Metrology and Patents in Sarajevo and IREX. The main topics were: Protection of human rights, Government of rights, Market economy and Taxation. Key speakers came from the World Intellectual Property Organisation, European Council, Sine Qua Non (the local agency) and similar agencies from Croatia and Slovenia.

Institute for Information Science in Maribor, Slovenia, organised a special seminar/course on the internet and usage of its services for rectors and vice-rectors of all universities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The aim was to provide the key persons from universities with the relevant information of up-to-date technology and services that are necessary for new digital era. The seminar covered topics such as e-mail, www, file transfers, remote applications, seeking information etc.

The COBISS Centre in Sarajevo and Institute for Information Science in Maribor, Slovenia, organised a special course for librarians on using the internet services in cataloguing process. The internet and its services are of vital importance for shared catalogue among libraries in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which are connected to the COBISS. Co-operation in the COBISS system requires some skills for librarians, and such courses are permanent needs.

Please note that this report has been prepared under the sole responsibility of the ESIS II contractors.
It does not necessarily reflect the views of the Commission, nor does the Commission accept responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of information contained herein.
The ESIS Team of contractors welcomes any additional information or corrections.