As part of the Knowledge Transfer of Experts from the Diaspora to Bosnia and Herzegovina Program, implemented by the Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina in partnership with BHAAAS, Dr. Dina Mehmedbegović-Smith, a BHAAAS member and Professor of Education and Applied Linguistics at University College London (UCL), visited Bosnia and Herzegovina in February 2026.
During the five-day program, Dr. Mehmedbegović-Smith conducted a series of professional consultations with students from one primary and two secondary schools, English language teachers, members of the academic community, and expert teams involved in the English language curriculum reform. The focus of her engagement was to support the working group revising the English curriculum through recommendations based on insights gathered from consultations, as well as through the exchange of international experiences and best practices.
Speaking about the challenges of the education system, she particularly emphasized the importance of consistent implementation of reforms:
“One of the key challenges is the uneven implementation of the new curriculum. While some teachers are applying new approaches, a significant number still rely on previous teaching methods. Stronger systemic support is needed for reforms to truly take root in everyday classroom practice.”
She also highlighted the importance of developing practical knowledge through modern teaching approaches:“The best results are achieved through interactive methods such as projects, teamwork, and research-based assignments. Students want content that is authentic, relevant to their experiences, and that clearly demonstrates how their knowledge can be applied in further education and future careers.”
The Knowledge Transfer Program, in which BHAAAS participates as a partner, represents an important mechanism for connecting experts from the Bosnia and Herzegovina diaspora with institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the goal of strengthening the education and research systems through the transfer of international knowledge and experience.
Dr. Mehmedbegović-Smith also emphasized the importance of continuous teacher education, the exchange of good practices, and the strengthening of professional networks as key factors for the long-term improvement of education quality.
In conclusion, she stressed that consultations with students clearly demonstrate that there are already many examples of excellent teaching practices in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s schools, and that further improvements should be built on recognizing and strengthening the good practices that already exist.“Programs such as the Knowledge Transfer initiative enable direct exchange of experience and good practices from different education systems. I believe such initiatives can have a long-term positive impact on the development of education in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” Mehmedbegović-Smith stated.
Through the active engagement of its members in initiatives such as this, BHAAAS continues its mission of connecting Bosnia and Herzegovina experts from the diaspora with institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, contributing to the advancement of education, science, and professional development through concrete knowledge transfer projects and international cooperation.
Parts of the interview with Dr. Dina Mehmedbegović-Smith were sourced from:
https://dijaspora.mhrr.gov.ba
A detailed consultation report with recommendations is available at:
https://healthylinguisticdiet.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/a4_consultation_report_bosnia_and_herzegovina_110326.pdf
English
Bosanski
