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[formeremployee]

As to
[/quote]

The fanciful notion that AUBiH is still in the process of getting established, and the more fanciful that it is in the process of buying or constructing property in Tuzla or anywhere else is just that, a flight of fancy.  It's part of the propaganda perpetuating the myth that things are progressing.  Much like the website, which is also designed and used to perpetuate the myth.  Formeremployee should be translated as current employee and is a well known dodge from the owner and his ever changing cast.  Just as an aside, if you go to their website, and click on faculty, 15 of the names work at SUNY.   I can then count another 6 that I'm sure are no longer working there.  There are probably others.  Is anyone still missing the point?

I am getting more and more surprised by opinions you and aristophanes share here (you claim to be employees or former employees of the AUBIH, right?), especially re. the building issue. Have either of you actually lived in Bosnia, Sarajevo in particular? Here are some facts: all English language schools irrespective of their level, specifically IUS and SST, have been functioning for last 10 years (IUS) and 4 years (SST) in leased premises for a simple reason - for legal reasons (unresolved property issues, permits etc. ) none of them have been able to buy property that would be located reasonably close to the city and of a sufficient quality to cater to students and administrations needs. Only in 2010 (after 10 years of existence) IUS has managed to buy a huge squat of land outside of Sarajevo, a decision they made reluctantly lacking further options (later on they were joined by SST) and they are still in a process of building, which is unlikely to be finished by 2013.

As to the names of the professors on the webpage, I suggest that everyone sends an email to AUBIH requesting to be removed, in case they do not work there anymore (mine was removed quite some time ago, though i do occasionally  find my name with a phone number I used once there on various search engines).

[aristophanies]

IUS was established in 2004/2005, thus it has most definitely not existed for 10 years. You make several other factual errors demonstrating that you are terribly misinformed, and pointing those out would make little difference.

Students who are interested in transferring to IUS or any other school because of mismanagement, disorganization, unprofessionalism, and deceit on the part of AUBiH should begin with a web search and then go visit the school to which they wish to transfer.

[formeremployee]

IUS was established in 2004/2005, thus it has most definitely not existed for 10 years. You make several other factual errors demonstrating that you are terribly misinformed, and pointing those out would make little difference.

Students who are interested in transferring to IUS or any other school because of mismanagement, disorganization, unprofessionalism, and deceit on the part of AUBiH should begin with a web search and then go visit the school to which they wish to transfer.

No, IUS is in existence since 2000 - and I think I know because I was involved with them at a time when they were only a foundation. In 2004, IUS has changed its name at about the same time when their academic programs have received Turkish accreditation, assuring the influx of Turkish and other foreign students.

Instead of just saying "you  make a number of factual errors," which seems to be a habit of yours, can you please cite some of those and support them with counter-facts? Because assertions you are making almost give an impression that you were never in Bosnia or Sarajevo or, if you were, - which I think you did - your perception is skewed for some reason.

Having recently visited the construction site of IUS in Ilidža (suburb of Sarajevo) and SST and talking to people there, I think I am right. Just as I am right about stating the former address of IUS in a leased high school in the center of Sarajevo, or the former address of the SST in leased premises which actually belong to the Academy of Arts, or for example stating that Faculty of Economics of the state University of Sarajevo is about to leave the building they have occupied for 50 some years in the center of Sarajevo, given legal claims of former owners (the Orthodox Church), which is enough to testify to the ammount of grave legal problems anyone doing anything with property will have in Bosnia. 

[aransadorien]

I agree with aristophanies. The fact is that IUS website says: "Founded by the Foundation for Education Development Sarajevo, IUS was inaugurated in the academic year of 2004-2005."

Then again I would like to remind you that this topic is about AUBiH, and problems regarding that university. I wouldn't even bother to compare AUBiH to SSST or IUS, since I'm very well informed on SSST and IUS (at least 20 of my high school friends went through either undergraduate or masters program at one of those), plus I went to both SSST and IUS and talked to some of the professors and staff. If you really want me to compare AUBiH with those let me tell you right away that Academic Affairs office and it's employees at AUBiH are completely incompetent comparing them to the other mentioned Universities.

But once again, for the sake of people that are looking for information about AUBiH here, please let's stick to the topic.

[common]

It is a little bit off topic, but regarding the ownership and buildings issues Formeremployee is completely right. Someone mentioned that "on the IUS website", well looking at the AUBIH web you'll see Hillary. Websites are designed to present the sweet part of given University. Whether SSST or IUS are better than AUBIH I am not able to distinguish, but as a Bosnian native I am certainly sure that on both of those other Universities there will be similar problems like on the AUBIH. But this is rather a question of the nonfunctional Bosnian laws, corruption etc. This kind of stuff will not change in a while.

[aransadorien]

It is a little bit off topic, but regarding the ownership and buildings issues Formeremployee is completely right. Someone mentioned that "on the IUS website", well looking at the AUBIH web you'll see Hillary. Websites are designed to present the sweet part of given University. Whether SSST or IUS are better than AUBIH I am not able to distinguish, but as a Bosnian native I am certainly sure that on both of those other Universities there will be similar problems like on the AUBIH. But this is rather a question of the nonfunctional Bosnian laws, corruption etc. This kind of stuff will not change in a while.

Well yes, and so what if Hillary Clinton is on the website, I mean is she going to educate me ? Or is that another way to commercialize through bunch of ex or current politics and "big" faces on the website.


I agree about the non-functional Bosnian laws and corruption, but there is a big difference when you have University A - where you leave all the local staff (same local corrupted people) in the administration, and University B - where the administration is a little bit more mixed or in some cases entirely foreign...

I don't remember that SUNY had much to do in the AUBiH administration and frankly that is where all the problems originate. Hey I'm not against the idea of AUBiH, I'm the first one to say that Bosnia actually needs programs and ideas like that, but to leave all decisions and administration to the same corrupted people of questionable moral character as the country it self is just wrong and pointless.

I had a friend that had an issue with the professor from SUNY, it was a distance learning class, and the problem was final exam and the grade. Despite all the efforts to even get in touch with the professor or Student Affairs office in SUNY, he was never even able to get in touch with them not to mention he never got to resolve the problem. So where is that SUNY administration when you need them ???? Or is it somehow all left to AUBiH and local people to administrate (the one that we both agree to have problems and to be corrupted and so on) and run the University (well actually to one person)...

[common]

Well, I ain't talking about the teaching. I did my four years at the AUBIH and trust me you will not have as bad professors (teaching ability, personal integrity) as I had on my freshman and sophomore year. The only thing I am saying is that every year, midsummer, the story about the AUBIH collaps starts and after a month or two no one is posting on CHE (you can easily check it on the forum). From my personal experience every year the faculty (professors) was better and better. Just want to tell you two things: 1. Try to get the most out of your educators, learn the material and grow as a person. 2. Wait until the start of the fall semester to see if this rumors about domestic faculty are actually true, if yes ain't late to leave.

To underline, i don't see the point neither I support the way the senior management [edited for personal attack -moderator] is handling everything.

PS: to modify it about the distance learning class, In my four years there were some problems related to SUNY classes, but the professors from SUNY were ALWAYS approachable and you could speak to them. Another issue is that generally students thought that the distance learning classes were "a sure thing", so when confronted with failing those and pushing up the low grade there were attempts to make up various stories about why they didn't do the work.
My simple question regarding SUNY classes are: Did you have in class meetings with the professor via video link? If not did you have Information systems like ANGEL? Did you try talking to the Distance learning coordinator?

[drmau]

You are exactly the kind of "good kid" who is being deceived and exploited by AUBiH, and who deserves and will work for your education. I made it through the year because of students like you, and my very supportive colleagues. We all began our time at AUBiH by "drinking the Kool Aid" and only two people from the year I was hired are still there. For the record, few of us were fired. We left in disgust.
I signed on for the adventure, and because, foolish optimist that I am, I believe that Bosnia's future can be made better by intelligent and ethical young people. There is no shortage of them, but by being in a corrupt place, too many of the AUBiH students become corrupted themselves. Faculty who leave after one year are unable to establish the kind of mentoring these kids need: encouraging their intellectual, (and dare I say moral) development, and directing them to employment and further academic opportunities.
When I took the job at AUBiH, I was no stranger to Bosnia. I knew the difficulties I would face. OK, so someone less foolish would have never come at all, since, in the week before my arrival, the person who hired me quit, the "gringo wrangler" was fired, and my air ticket involved a twenty four hour layover in Istanbul with no hotel provisions. Another Professor in my discipline told me she brought a personal bodyguard to class, which is really not encouraging. In my first week, I was denied University stationery to write a letter of reference for a former student up for a Fulbright, an act utterly in violation of the UNIVERSAL conventions of academe, and I said to myself, Self, here's another fine mess I got me into, but oh well.
On balance, I'm not really sorry I came, or that I stuck it out a full year. I met the man of my heart, soul and dreams, and we forged the kind of bond that probably only happens to people who have endured a war together. I made friendships with fellow faculty and  even students, though we were forbidden to have any social contact-and I mean innocent social contact like coffee-with students because we were told they would just "use us." Which is the point, no? We came, most of us anyway, because we really mistakenly believed we could be of use to a country struggling to rebuild.
We were wrong. We were alternately neglected and micromanaged. However, we ere usually paid on time, I will grant that.

[aransadorien]

PS: to modify it about the distance learning class, In my four years there were some problems related to SUNY classes, but the professors from SUNY were ALWAYS approachable and you could speak to them. Another issue is that generally students thought that the distance learning classes were "a sure thing", so when confronted with failing those and pushing up the low grade there were attempts to make up various stories about why they didn't do the work.
My simple question regarding SUNY classes are: Did you have in class meetings with the professor via video link? If not did you have Information systems like ANGEL? Did you try talking to the Distance learning coordinator?

ANGEL system was used only for homework assignments, midterm and final exams, it mainly worked, but I also know that 4 people from my class had problems with the Account IDs, so basically they weren't able to do the homeworks and quizzes for like 4 weeks in which they lost much in their grades since nobody wanted to admit that that wasn't their fault (SUNY professors said it was AUBiH administration problem, and at AUBiH they said quite oposite)...

As for that grade/final exam issue, the problem was that professor never wanted to admit that he actually made a mistake while grading (it was an honest mistake, but hey at least admit it, although the same professor said that that's not his problem and that my friend should consult AUBiH Student Affairs office, and then after actually he said that he would flunk that student because it had nothing to do with AUBiH and that he should have advised with SUNY Student Affairs office which never responded)...

One of those professors actually taught from his home away from the SUNY Canton Campus. I didn't have much problems with that, only if his Internet connection was the lousiest one in the world so his upload was never too good to have a good video link, it was breaking down, sometimes it would take hours to repair it, sometimes we didn't even have classes because of those problems (and once, during the course he was arguing with his wife in the house while teaching us ??!?!?!?)

So what are you trying to tell me ? Yes these are all normal problems and so on... ?

Can't you recognize that administration at AUBiH is standing on wooden legs and its just waiting to collapse. And the constant rejection from both universities, nothing is well established there and the administration is running without any orders nor control. I'm not saying that it will collapse nor that it won't but in my experience it will, and quite frankly 6 thousand Euros are way to much to risk them in Bosnia, as someone here mentioned bunch of those parents actually get all different bank loans to be able to send their kids to the "best" university in Bosnia which quite literally is a sitting bomb waiting to explode...

[drmau]

Could not have said it better myself. Good luck to you and your fellow students, because kid, you will need it.

[crkens]

Common, one has to wonder why after two years of bad professors, at the price you were paying, you were still there.  Was it because you were passing with very little effort, and you had nowhere else to go?

[common]

Common, one has to wonder why after two years of bad professors, at the price you were paying, you were still there.  Was it because you were passing with very little effort, and you had nowhere else to go?

Well, I think you were teaching  one of these years. If I am right with the time frame you worked at the AUBIH than you perfectly know about what I am talking about.
 I was mainly there because I took a bank loan and at that time if I did quit I had to start paying back to the bank immediately. Considering the fact that I wasn't able to earn about 400KM ($250) for the monthly rate I had no option than to stay.
If you are asking me now would I enroll on this University again my clear answer would be NO WAY JOSE. The concept of an American University ain't bad, but the management style is and still will be wrong.
My point is that in the end students are not as bad as you imply (sure, there are a lot of  rich-ass spoiled little monsters, but there are also very hardworking and honest students).

[drmau]

Aside from Crkens, who was clearly more damaged by AUBiH than some, no one suggests you are all rotten spoiled monsters. Some of you are, but it is the responsibility of the Good Kids to take the lead in their classes. Realize that the professors are under psychological and professional assault from Senior Management; they can't just walk away, as Aristophanes pointed out. Neither can you, given the bank loans you've taken out.
Difficult in class behavior makes them feel attacked on all sides. I made it through the year because SOME of my students took the lead in classes: they made the others at least shut up, they contributed meaningfully to discussions, they did their own work as opposed to cheating. The "bad" professors you mention-and I don't know these folks, since everyone from my year is gone now-are probably bad because they feel a lot of stress and alienation. They are in a culture they don't understand, dealing with a hostile and capricious management, and then you guys act like a cage full of monkeys, which does not make anyone feel exactly premium. The discipline they love to teach is as valueless as everything else to the bad kids, and that adds insult to injury.
Let's make the best of a bad situation: AUBiH is a lousy place, and Inshallah it continues a bit longer so you can all graduate with diplomas of questionable value. In the meantime, try to at least be quiet in class, and show your professors a little of the kindness and human decency I keep coming back to Bosnia for.
No professor lasts long there if they have a brain or any self respect, and you may find those qualities gradually eroding, as an adaptive mechanism on the part of your professors. If you adjust to low standards and constant abuse, it makes it easier to endure every painful day. Garbage in, garbage out. 
I wasn't hurt, not badly, and it was the Good Kids who helped me through. I return their kindness by doing my best to get them into good graduate programs, because I have the enormous good fortune to work for a kind and supportive place populated by actual academics who respect me.
I'm thinking this negativity festival may be accomplishing what Senior Management wants.
Don't let anyone you care about in the least come to AUBiH, either as a professor or student.
If you are stuck, either as a professor or student, try to make the best of it, because suffering does not build character. Learn what you can; be prepared to move on.

For your own good, make it a little bit survivable. I have moved on   

[common]

I like your last sentence. I moved on too. I graduated and I have my job. After the graduation ceremony I never was and I think I'll never walk on AUBIH territory again, but it makes me sick when so called professionals like crkens are posting some nonsens because of some personal issues. I don't mind when someone is writing about the bad things that happened during their time at the AUBIH, but please use arguments. I ain't saying that AUBIH is a good place to work on, but at least I am trying to be objective from the view of a former student. I learned that a professional should be able to distinguish the professional from the private which a lot of people are not doing on this forum.

[drmau]

Excellent point. Logical argumentation skills well in place, so I must have done something right. Or someone else did. Hope you enjoy your job and your life. Maybe we are all defined by what we survive, with reason, compassion, and joy more or less intact.