At the University of Sarajevo, we believe that internationalisation isn’t just paperwork – it’s people, ideas, and experiences that travel! ✈️🌍 The International Relations Office (IRO) is your gateway to the world of opportunities: from Erasmus+ exchanges and international projects, to new partnerships and student support. We connect UNSA with universities across Europe and beyond — turning international dreams into real experiences.
What We Do:
💼 Mobility
We help students, teachers, and staff pack their academic bags and discover new horizons through Erasmus+ and other mobility programmes.
🤝 Building Bridges
We develop partnerships, sign Memorandums of Understanding, and maintain strong ties with universities, embassies, and organisations all over the world. With over 500 cooperation agreements and membership in prestigious international organizations, our goal is to further enhance mobility, enabling students and academic staff to improve their skills, exchange knowledge, and become recognized on the global stage.
📚 Project Playground
We coordinate and support certain international projects — from capacity building and digital innovation to multilingualism and intercultural learning.
💬 Your Go-To People
Whether you’re applying for an exchange, writing a proposal, or hosting a guest from abroad — we’re the team that makes it easier, clearer, and more enjoyable. Or, at least, appoint to to the right person(s).
Who we are:
We’re a team of passionate internationalists, linguists, and project dreamers — combining professionalism with a smile.
Each of us brings something special: experience, languages, creativity, and a shared love for collaboration.
Fun Facts About the IRO:
🌍 We speak more than 10 languages (and can help you say “hello” in at least 20!)
✉️ We send and receive around 5,000 emails a month — and still smile about it.
📸 Our favourite tradition: IRO selfies with Erasmus students and staff at every ocassion!
☕ Coffee is our official fuel — every project idea starts with a cup.
Key Achievements:
Mobility of Students, Teaching, and Non-Teaching Staff
During 2024, the University achieved significant results in implementing and administering international mobilities.
| Mobility | Incoming | Outgoing |
| Students | 282 | 330 |
| Teaching staff | 307 | 328 |
| Non-teaching staff | 77 | 44 |
| Total | 666 | 702 |
International Staff Week (Staff Week)
The International Relations Office successfully organizes Staff Week – a five-day event organized by a higher education institution (typically the offices for international cooperation) that includes seminars, workshops, presentations, and active participation from both domestic experts and international partners.
UNSA Study Expo (Scholarship Fair)
This is a project where various domestic and international institutions (diplomatic and consular representations, international higher education institutions and others) gather in one place to offer and present various forms of financial and other support (scholarships, one-time financial aid, etc.) to citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina for studying and professional development in Bosnia and Herzegovina and/or abroad.
Erasmus Plus
This European Union program consists of various projects in education, training, youth, and sport. As such, it offers numerous opportunities and a wide spectrum of possibilities for students, teaching, and non-teaching staff to study or complete internships abroad, deliver lectures, engage in professional development, and implement projects for capacity building and the creation of networks of cooperation among higher education institutions in EU member states and other countries worldwide. Following the successful application of the University of Sarajevo for the new Erasmus+ program period, the European Commission awarded the University the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education 2021-2027 (ECHE).
EUPeace
During 2023, the University of Sarajevo became part of the European University Initiative known as EUPeace (European University for Peace, Justice, and Inclusive Societies). The EUPeace alliance/network is specifically focused on enhancing the effects of internationalization by nurturing a peaceful, just, and inclusive European society at various levels. Our Office coordinates and participates in the WP4 program package – mobility, alongside team members appointed by the Board of Directors, while the Vice-Rector for International Relations is involved in the WP1 program package – Project Management (as the academic coordinator), overseeing coordination, management, and quality monitoring of the EUPeace project. The Service actively participates in implementing the EUPeace project, carrying out various tasks that contribute to achieving the project’s goals and enhancing mobility.
European Association for International Education – EAIE
“University of Sarajevo: The Story of a Better Return” is a narrative about a university that has never ceased progressing—a story of an institution that survived war, transformation, and reconstruction while remaining a beacon of international cooperation. You can find the article on the main website and social media channels of this esteemed international association.
