Introducing the AHEDIS Project

The healthcare world is changing fast. From Artificial Intelligence helping with diagnoses to Virtual Reality being used for surgery simulations, this technology is no longer a thing of the future – it is already here. To ensure our students and professionals are ready for this shift, we are excited to introduce the AHEDIS project. 

What is AHEDIS? 

AHEDIS stands for “Advancing Higher Education through Digital Innovation and Smart technologies.” This project is a major collaborative effort between universities in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Sarajevo and Banja Luka) and Montenegro (Podgorica), supported by expert partners from the European Union. 

The general objective of the AHEDIS project is to enhance the digital proficiency of academic staff at Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro. By doing so, the project aims to modernize healthcare education and align it with contemporary European Union standards and the evolving demands of the labor market. 

Coordinated by the University of Sarajevo (UNSA), this three-year initiative is co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union. The project officially launched in Sarajevo in late 2025, bringing together a consortium of 12 partner institutions. The technical scope of the project is ambitious, aiming to modernize 24 undergraduate courses and develop 6 specialized lifelong learning (LLL) programs. These programs are specifically designed to address the gap between current academic offerings and the high-tech demands of the labor market, focusing on areas like personalized healthcare, big data analytics, and telehealth models. 

Meet the partners 

The success of the AHEDIS project is built on a diverse consortium of twelve partners, each bringing unique expertise to the digital transformation of healthcare. 

The University of Sarajevo serves as the lead coordinator, leveraging its extensive experience in international project management to ensure high-quality implementation and long-term sustainability. Joining them from Bosnia and Herzegovina is the University of Banja Luka, which focuses on integrating innovative teaching practices into both regular degree programs and lifelong learning courses. In Montenegro, the University of Montenegro and the University of Donja Gorica are key academic partners, working to modernize medical education and align local training with European standards. 

The project is heavily supported by the expertise of three leading European Union institution, as well as a group of dedicated research and industry partners:

• University of Zagreb School of Medicine: An EU partner that introduces AI-based solutions for patient simulations and leads the implementation of the “flipped classroom” teaching model. 
• University of Ljubljana: An EU partner providing expertise in digital literacy, audiovisual equipment, and extended reality (XR) technologies used in surgery and medical training. 
• HTWG Konstanz: An EU partner from Germany that trains staff in telemedicine, 

wearable biomedical sensors, and health informatics to be included in modernized syllabi. 

• Verlab Research Institute: A key non-academic partner focused on the production of AI-based materials and the integration of digital tools into courses for healthcare professionals. 
• BRAVO: Responsible for the dissemination of project results, public engagement, and conducting student needs analysis to ensure the project is inclusive and accessible.
•  “Apoteke Sarajevo”: Acts as an industry partner and a bridge between the project and stakeholders to develop relevant lifelong learning programs for pharmacists.
•  “Dr Miroslav Zotović” Institute: Connects the project with stakeholders in the Banja Luka region, utilizing their experience in medical robotics to enhance rehabilitation education.
• Institute for Public Health of Montenegro: A highly specialized institution that assists in the design and implementation of digital training programs for the healthcare workforce in Montenegro. 

Activities and impact 

To achieve its goals, the AHEDIS project is rolling out a series of practical activities designed to modernize how healthcare is taught and practiced. The project includes intensive training sessions for academic staff to master new digital tools, the complete digital transformation of existing courses at four major faculties, and the creation of specialized lifelong learning programs for professionals already working in the field. By using the “flipped classroom” approach and AI-driven solutions, the project moves away from traditional lectures and toward interactive, tech-based learning. Additionally, the project invests in essential infrastructure and equipment, ensuring that universities have the physical tools, like VR headsets and medical sensors, needed to support these advanced teaching methods. 

The impact of these activities reaches far beyond the university walls. By bridging the gap between classroom education and the actual needs of the modern labor market, AHEDIS directly improves the employability of health-oriented students and the skills of current professionals. This digital shift ensures that the healthcare workforce in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro is prepared for global challenges, such as personalized medicine and remote patient management. Ultimately, the project strengthens the entire socio-economic landscape of the region by fostering innovation, increasing research and development opportunities, and making healthcare education more inclusive and accessible for everyone.