The Impacts of Corruption in Higher Education in Bosnia & Herzegovina

In this episode, our guest, Dr. Amra Sabic-El-Rayess, shares her perspective on the links between the conflicts of the 1990's in former Yugoslavia, the resulting political system in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the impact of this political system and recent history on corruption in higher education.  Dr. Ambra Sabic-El-Rayess grew up in Bosnia and Herzegovina and survived the war and genocide in the 1990's. She moved to the US in 1996 where she received her bachelors, masters, and doctorate, and she now teachers at Columbia University. Dr. Sabic-El-Rayess's research focuses on the role of education in rebuilding societies. She serves as the Global Ambassador of the Congress of Bosniaks of North America. Her latest book, titled Three Summers: A Memoir of Sisterhood, Summer Crushes, and Growing up on the Eve of the Bosnian Genocide, for middle-aged youth on her experiences growing up prior to the outbreak of the war, will be published in May, 2023.  Other books and articles by Dr. Amra Sabic-El-Rayess: The Cat I Never Named: A True Story of Love, War, and Survival (2013). When Corruption Gets in the Way. Befriending Diaspora and EU-nionizing Bosnia’s Higher Education. European Education, 45 (2), 6-27. (2014). Acting and Reacting: Youth’s Behavior in Corrupt Educational Settings. Peabody Journal of Education, 89 (1), 70-85.  Sources (a selection of) used to prepare for this episode: Chapman, D. W. & Lindner, S. (2016). Degrees of integrity: the threat of corruption in higher education. Guthrie, C., et al. (2022). Education systems in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In OECD Reviews of Evaluation and Assessment in Education: Bosnia and Herzegovina.  (See a diagram of the political system.) Kreso, A. P. (2008). The War and Post-War Impact on the Educational System of Bosnia and Herzegovina. (See a diagram of the education system, p. 361.) Global Corruption Barometer 2013. Transparency International. Corruption Perceptions Index 2020. Transparency International. Reading on discrimination in the Bosnian political and education systems: Keil, S. (2021). “Equality and Inequality in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”  Hadžić, F. (2022). Educational segregation and discrimination in Bosnia and Herzegovina and critical peace: transgression of ethno-ideological utilization of youth.