The Student Union of the Faculty of Economics in Brčko is an independent organization that brings together all students of the Faculty.
Members of the management of the Student Union of EKOF Brčko:
President of the union: Tamara Trupinić
Vice President: Hasan Mešić
Deputy: Đuka Petrović
Secretary: Damir Huseljić
Student Vice Dean: Stanojka Ćirković
e-mail: efbsavezstudenata@gmail.com
With the beginning of the 2018/2019 academic year, the students of the Faculty of Economics Brčko implemented several extracurricular activities. Among the significant events were: the conference "Attention, Young People Speak," organized by E4U; the Summer School of Economics in Niš; the Jahorina Business Forum 2018/19; the Student Economic Forum "Efikon" in Tuzla; the Regional Summit of Economics Students in Belgrade; the Summer School at the University of Voronezh 2018/19; and the visit of professors and students from the Russian city of Voronezh to Brčko and the Faculty of Economics Brčko.
On October 10, 2018, representatives of the OSCE held a training on strategic planning. The training was attended by the Srebrenica Coalition, the non-governmental organizations Vermont and Svitanac, as well as our Student Union. On October 18, 2018, the Commission for European Integration of the Brčko District Assembly, with the support of the EU Info Center Brčko and the OSCE Mission, organized an Open Door Day, where the importance of youth in the European integration process was discussed, as well as the opportunities available to young people and students through cooperation with the non-governmental sector.
On October 24, 2018, the successful collaboration between the Student Union and the EU Info Center Brčko enabled our students to meet with Lars-Gunnar Wigemark, the Head of the European Union Delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The discussion focused on European integration in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the issues of the Port of Brčko, and emphasized the need for young people to play a significant role in the processes that lie ahead for Bosnia and Herzegovina on its path to the EU. The students of the Faculty of Economics in Brčko were given the opportunity to participate in the project "One Meter of Problems, 100 Meters of Solutions on the Path to the EU," which was held in Sarajevo on November 4th and 5th.
On October 28, 2018, our students visited the Book Fair in Belgrade.
On November 10, 2018, the Fourth International Conference of the Faculty of Economics Brčko was held, where our students prepared presentations on topics such as the introduction of a canteen at our Faculty, organizing internship programs, modernizing the curriculum, and organizing sports activities, focusing on areas that need improvement at the Faculty of Economics in Brčko. Our students also completed their internship in Russia.
On November 27, 2018, students of the Faculty of Economics Brčko participated in the International Conference "Students Meet Science," organized by students of the University of Banja Luka.
On February 10, 2018, our student, Vladimir Kanostrevac, went on a student exchange to Russia, to the city of Voronezh, where he underwent various trainings for a month.
On February 15, 2018, professors and students participated in the Economic Forum of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was held for the second time in our country. The forum gathered representatives from the government, business, and academic communities, with the common goal of improving the economic and business environment in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
On March 5, 2018, as part of the celebration of the 18th anniversary of the Brčko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Youth Association of Brčko, in collaboration with the Faculty of Economics in Brčko, organized the promotion of the monograph of Professor Dr. "Hasan Hanić" – "Life and Work" in the full amphitheater of the Faculty. The presented monograph highlighted to the youth, students, and pupils how a person can achieve good results in academic, scientific, business, and life endeavors through work, planning, and organization.
On March 20, 2018, the "World Life Experience" program visited the Faculty of Economics in Brčko. Our faculty had the opportunity to meet students from various parts of the world (Spain, Portugal, Ukraine, Russia, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Argentina, the United States, Cape Verde, and Venezuela) who travel around the world throughout the year through this program. The students who visited our Faculty study at some of the most prestigious universities, such as Columbia University, Moscow State University, the University of Dundee in Scotland, and others.
As a socially responsible institution, the Faculty of Economics in Brčko, in cooperation with the JU Economics School and the JU Agricultural and Medical School, organized the celebration of Earth Day on April 22.
On April 29, 2018, our Faculty organizes an annual student conference in cooperation with the Government of the Brčko District and the Union of Students of the Republic of Srpska. The aim of the conference is to improve the quality of life for young people and to find conceptual solutions to encourage young people to stay in these areas. Students from Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as students from China, Russia, and Slovenia, participated in the event.
The conference "Get Employed and Start Your Business 2018" was held at the Faculty of Economics in Banja Luka from May 26 to 27, 2018. The conference particularly emphasized the importance of young people staying in the country, with a special focus on the need for greater involvement of women in entrepreneurship.
From July 2 to July 27, 2018, students from the Faculty of Economics in Brčko completed a summer internship at the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brčko Branch. This internship was attended by regular third and fourth-year students as well as postgraduate students. During the four-week internship, students were responsible for maintaining a daily internship journal, which was monitored and certified by their mentor.
On August 20, 2018, our Faculty, in collaboration with the "SVITAC" organization, hosted students from Goethe University Frankfurt. The students were interested in learning about our study system, the tuition fees, the ratio of male and female students at the Faculty, and whether there is any state assistance available to our students. Experiences were exchanged regarding student organizations, and they were curious whether our student organization is involved in university politics and whether our students have voting rights when it comes to university decision-making.
Our student, Vladimir Kanostrevac, participated in the forum of the European Center for Peace and Development on October 26 and 27, 2018. The theme of the forum was "The Power of Youth for a Shared Future." The forum took place in the Belgrade City Assembly, with participation from young people from all over the world. Among the speakers were esteemed professors from renowned universities and members of global organizations.
Students of the Faculty of Economics Brčko and pupils from the Economics School Brčko participated in the 7th Danube Business Forum on November 13, 2018, which gathered representatives from 14 countries. The theme of the forum was "Danube Strategy, Positive Experiences, and Expectations." The dean, Dr. Srđan Lalić, gave a notable presentation. Following the forum, the faculty received an invitation to participate in international projects.
As part of the Erasmus+ KA1 mobility program, Mirjana Mojić, a student from the Faculty of Economics Brčko, went on a student exchange to the University of Jaén in Spain, where she spent the entire academic year of 2018/2019. Erasmus is a European Union program with the primary goal of raising the quality of higher education and promoting international dialogue through mobility and academic cooperation. The program included a monthly scholarship of 800 euros for living expenses as well as travel costs. The participation of our student in Spain through the Erasmus+ KA1 exchange program is of great significance for our faculty, as it primarily demonstrates the quality of our study program and the quality of the faculty itself. We can be proud to have a representative in this project.
On November 8, 2018, a public discussion on the need for continued socio-economic reforms was held at the Faculty of Economics in Brčko, organized by the Office of the Special Representative of the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The aim was to provide members of the academic and business communities, as well as representatives from the non-governmental sector and students, with an opportunity to discuss the priorities of the authorities and the specific measures needed to achieve them.
On November 19, 2018, the Student Union of the Faculty of Economics Brčko, in collaboration with the "Promote Positivity" network, with the participation of youth organizations, the OSCE office, and with the support of the institutions of Brčko District, organized a roundtable focused on the theme of International Day for Tolerance.
On Tuesday, March 12, 2019, students of the Faculty of Economics Brčko and pupils from the Brčko Economic School visited the Faculty of Economics in Sarajevo. A tour of the faculty facilities was organized, accompanied by Dr. Elvir Čizmić, who introduced our students and high school pupils to the operations of the Faculty of Economics in Sarajevo.
From March 29 to March 30, 2019, one of the largest international conferences for young people across Europe was held. The LEAP SUMMIT 2019 gathered around 3,000 delegates from over 40 countries, as well as 103 world-renowned speakers. More than a thousand participants from around the world attended this conference, focusing on topics related to international cooperation and the European Union, entrepreneurship, modern trends and innovations, inspirational stories, and career development. Our students, along with the dean, attended this conference and had the opportunity to listen to speeches by world-famous speakers from multinational companies, successful entrepreneurs, and leading investors from Europe, such as Branko Baričević (EU&Me project, in which our students participated and won second place), Nenad Bakić, Michael Furjan, Mladen Pejković, and many others. LEAP SUMMIT provides numerous opportunities for students and young people, whether it is about projects from various fields, studying, student exchanges, as well as internships and employment in other countries.
The COVID-19 pandemic was first identified in 2019, and soon after, it spread worldwide. Over the next two years, the entire world faced the consequences of the pandemic, which were primarily reflected in the cancellation of all public gatherings, the transition of employees to remote work, the shift of students and pupils to online classes, and the encouragement of all forms of virtual teaching sessions, meetings, and similar activities. During this period, a significant portion of the activities of the Student Union of the Faculty of Economics in Brčko was canceled.
In 2024, students had the opportunity to participate in various activities covering a wide range of topics, from academic and cultural to sports and international experiences. These activities allowed them to develop as leaders, engage in global discussions, and gain a wealth of knowledge.
One of the first activities was participation in the "STARFEST" conference. Students attended the prestigious STARFEST conference, where they had the opportunity to learn about the latest trends in entrepreneurship and technology, as well as connect with successful entrepreneurs and investors.
The student conference "Strengthening Serbian Identity" was organized with the aim of discussing topics related to the preservation and enhancement of Serbian culture and tradition in modern society. Students had the opportunity to participate in important discussions about the significance of national identity.
The first student conference on the topic "Multiculturalism – The Strength of a New Generation" was organized by the Student Union of the Faculty of Economics Brčko, with the support of the Faculty of Economics Brčko. This conference, which gathered a large number of students from various countries (India, Serbia, Russia, Italy, and Bosnia and Herzegovina), provided a platform for discussing multiculturalism, mutual understanding, cultural exchange, and experiences of studying at different universities. Students organized panel discussions, workshops, and interactive sessions, contributing to the promotion of positive values of multiculturalism.
Students of the Faculty of Economics Brčko won third place in football at the Universiade held in Budva. At this student sports event, our team secured third place in football, which was a great success for our academic community and a testament to the fact that our students excel not only in academics but also in sports disciplines.
Students of the Faculty of Economics Brčko had the opportunity to visit the Krušedol Monastery, one of the most significant cultural and religious landmarks, as well as Sarajevo, where they familiarized themselves with the rich cultural and historical heritage of the city.
Students participated in the Danube Business Forum, where they had the opportunity to learn about business opportunities in the region and establish connections with business leaders and government representatives. At the Book Fair held in Belgrade, students attended promotions of new publications, participated in discussions, and explored new areas of knowledge, thus contributing to the development of cultural activities at the faculty.
Through numerous lectures held at the faculty organized by NICEF, students had the opportunity to meet experts from various fields. These lectures covered a wide range of topics, from innovation to international relations, allowing students to expand their academic horizons.
Students actively participated in the COWEB project, which involved collaboration with students and institutions from other countries. Through this project, students had the opportunity to develop their professional skills, work on international tasks, and participate in intercultural teams.
Students attended the Youth Entrepreneurship Conference in Bijeljina, which was dedicated to innovation and entrepreneurial spirit among young people.
Our students won third place for the promotional video that garnered the most likes on social media. This success highlighted the creativity and engagement of the students in promotion.
Throughout the year, students organized and participated in numerous humanitarian actions to collect aid, demonstrating a high level of social responsibility and solidarity by supporting those in greatest need.
Internships, both in domestic companies and international organizations, allowed students of the Economics Faculty in Brčko to acquire practical skills and work experience in areas such as marketing, management, and accounting. This contributed to their professional development and preparation for the labor market.