From January 26–28, 2026, the Pedagogical Institute of Zenica participated online in a hybrid event titled “Creating a Detailed Program for Vocational Education and Training (VET) Exchange between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro” held in Podgorica. This event was organized within the framework of the two-year Erasmus+ project Elevating Vocational Education in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro through Collaborative Enhancement of VET Teachers – VETechConn and brought together partners from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia, and Montenegro. The aim was to enable the exchange of knowledge, expertise, and best practices in developing digital competencies among vocational education and training teachers.
During the three-day event, through presentations, workshops, panel discussions, and round tables, participants discussed the digital transformation of education and its importance for employment, how digitalization is reshaping the direction of education, and a case study was presented on the use of Google Classroom in teaching. Schools from the region showcased their processes of introducing digital tools, the challenges they faced, key steps toward successful implementation, and the impact on both students and teachers. A model workshop on Digital Competencies of Secondary Vocational Education Teachers was also presented, planned for the upcoming period, intended to guide teachers toward real changes in the classroom.
In addition to active participation in discussions, the Pedagogical Institute of Zenica made a significant contribution by presenting its previous initiatives and teacher training programs in the field of digitalization. Aida Salkić, Director of the Pedagogical Institute of Zenica, emphasized the importance of continuous support for schools in the process of introducing digital tools, as well as monitoring and evaluating their impact on the quality of teaching. Special emphasis was placed on creating sustainable models of teacher professional development, ensuring that the digital transformation of education is systematically and sustainably supported in the long term. The event demonstrated that the digital transformation of education is not merely a technical process, but a strategic step toward better preparing students for the labor market. The key messages of the event were directed toward strengthening digital competencies, continuously improving teaching methods, and enhancing regional cooperation.
