Project "Tandem University - Amica Educa"

Association „Amica-Educa“ in cooperation with  Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation (FER), Tuzla University, has been implementing the pilot project “Tandem University-Amica Educa“ for last three years (from March 2006). The main goal of the project is to achieve true partnership with University, to contribute to improvement of education system by introducing new, creative methods in work with students in the frame of their practical education. Pilot-Project phase is planned to last 3 years. The first year of the project was financed by Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and second and third year of the project was financed by partner organization ‘’Amica Schweiz’’.
During the project, 150 students were involved (50 students per year). They were enabled, during that period, to learn about creative methods trough work with children and adults. Cooperation established in the project enabled students to experience the new ways of learning, which provided better understanding of this matter. Training program has been created in cooperation with the representatives of the FER who were the most familiar with Faculty Program and students’ needs.
Having in mind the fact that Educational Reform in B&H is in slow progress and that priorities are focused on improvement of the practice (as stated in the report of the B&H Government and in the document “Millennium Developmental Goals“), one of the objectives in the project clearly was contribution to improvement of the practical training, knowledge and youth skills.

The researches revealed that common way of working usually resists any kind of modernization which causes lack of self-confidence of the teachers which affects pupils and students negatively. Teacher-student relationship is traditionally based on one-way communication; in which student is the subject of teaching and teacher is often just lecturer.
This kind of educational structure combined with poor salaries and compromised morale of the teachers caused particularly poor support to pupils and students.

In previous experience, Amica Educa Team has implemented large number of workshops and seminars for professionals of various vocations as well as students. According to their experience, educational process is in lack of adequate practical engagement. Institutions and organizations involved into pedagogical work (especially Faculties) are in unenviable position; they do not have sufficient capacities to provide adequate practical education to students that can help students in acquiring skills and competences needed for successful work with their beneficiaries or clients.
Modern and creative approaches that have been used in practical training in this project enabled future professionals (students) to experience the learning processes on themselves (personally) what reveals many new possibilities in approaching to problems of personality, as well as preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic and educational approaches they will regularly use. By applying the knowledge gained through this education program, into their working environment, they will ensure the multiplying effects in community.

Also, by participating at these new types of workshops they experienced the personal benefit; they relaxed by learning new approaches, and used techniques for preventing overburden and burnout.

Activities
Practical training has been organized for the students of FER (third and fourth year of study) who attended the training in the frame of their regular practice at the Faculty.
Together with students, several faculty-assistants attended training making 57 participants in total. The Training Program included 3 modules and participants were divided into groups. Participants have been obliged to participate at all three modules of the training “Creative Expressive Painting”. Each module lasted 9 hours in total (3 days per 3 hours). Each group had the break of approximately one month between the modules for personal creative process. The total number of modules hours has been sufficient for students to gain the theoretic knowledge and experience about the presented methods of Creative Expressive Painting that is based on nonverbal communication and can be used in their work with beneficiaries. Also, by learning about new techniques and by experiencing the creative processes in group, participants had an opportunity to work on their own blockades, conflicts and bounds.
During the project the module’s leaders had obligation to follow and estimate the participants, as well as to make the reports for Amica Educa  and Faculty.
It has been confirmed that the method is widely and easily applied in kindergartens, schools, rehabilitation centers, companies, private practice, according to the needs. Concrete applications concern the mental health care in circumstance of stress as preventive therapeutic intervention, alleviation and treatment of emotional problems, treatment of trauma. Through the poll conducted among students participants concerning the knowledge and experience they gained in this education, as well as through justification of this kind of students’ engagement conducted by the Faculty, it was revealed that this model of education – learning through personal experience and work on ourselves, improve the expertise and the level of qualification for work and private practice. The educational material in form of manual was prepared for the participants. This manual includes theory of the topic presented in the modules and exercises and its purpose is to support students in application of gained knowledge and skills in their future work.

Results of the project:

Following results have been achieved in the project:

Media promotion of the project and donors
Following media patrons and sponsors of the project have been promoting the project together with donors  and organizators: