The CMM Competency Centre is officially being opened today at the
University of Mostar, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Computing and
Electrical Engineering.
It was established as part of the project Strengthening the Quality
System of Technological and Industrial Products and Services in Bosnia and
Herzegovina.
The project is under the auspices of the United Nations Industrial
Development Organization (UNIDO) in cooperation with partners: the Council of
Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Government of the Republic of
Slovenia, the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Computing and Electrical
Engineering, University of Mostar, and the LOTRIČ Metrology Group.
The Competency Centre provides internationally recognized metrology
services and new opportunities to enter the EU market. At the same time, it
offers education and industry development opportunities and advanced product
quality control research.
At the opening, UNIDO spokesman Steffen Käser stressed that the
strengthening of cooperation between Slovenia and BiH is an important step
towards the latter's entry into the EU market. He thanked the Government of the
Republic of Slovenia for providing funds for this project and the Government of
BiH for recognizing the importance of the project and the centre itself. He
also thanked LOTRIČ Metrology, who is to be thanked for the continued
development of industrial and technological products in BiH and the opportunity
to integrate the country into the regional and international European market.
Her Excellency Zorica Bukinac, Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia in
Sarajevo, emphasized the importance of the PPP model for Bosnia and Herzegovina
and the wider region. She is pleased that Slovenia is part of an important
partnership that can serve as a model for the wider region.
Mag. Janez Rogelj, Secretary at the MGRT Internal Market Directorate and
UNIDO Project Coordinator, stressed the importance of long-term cooperation
between the LOTRIČ Metrology Group and the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering,
Computing and Electrical Engineering, which will not end with the completion of
the project. Both partners have committed themselves to long-term cooperation
for at least the next 20 years. Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr
Vjekoslav Bevanda also expressed his great satisfaction with the project and
partnership.
As part of the centre, as an extremely broad organizational and
educational research space, LOTRIČ Metrology has provided state-of-the-art
laboratory equipment in accordance with European standards and the transfer of
good metrology practices and knowledge acquired in almost three decades of
operation. "We have taken care of the technical competence of people, equipment,
processes and the environment," said Marko Lotrič, General Manager of
LOTRIČ Metrology.
The total value of
the project is € 510,000, with the Government of the Republic of Slovenia
providing € 330,000, the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina €
110,000, and the remaining funds were invested by LOTRIČ Metrology.
According to the rector of the University of Mostar, Mr. Zoran Tomić, it is the
first of its kind in BiH and Southeast Europe in general. "It is an
extremely important, state-of-the-art facility and advanced centre in
South-eastern Europe, which as such will undoubtedly be leading in the field of
new technologies and research," Tomić said.