From April 27 to May 3, 2025, Ladislav Baloun from the Faculty of Physical Culture at Palacký University and Vlado Balaban from the Faculty of Education visited the University of Banja Luka in Bosnia and Herzegovina for a professional exchange. The mobility took place under the Erasmus+ KA171 project and was hosted by the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport (Fakultet fizičkog vaspitanja i sporta). The main objective of the visit was to deepen international cooperation in the fields of physical education and adapted physical activity (APA), while also enabling the exchange of professional expertise between both institutions.
Ladislav Baloun’s visit centered on advancing his work with students with disabilities and sharing effective approaches to inclusive physical activity. A key aspect of his mobility was the discussion on the possible transfer of the APA consultant model—currently applied at the Faculty of Physical Culture at Palacký University—into the cultural and institutional context of Bosnia and Herzegovina. As he noted: “I found the openness of colleagues in Banja Luka to new approaches in working with students with specific needs very inspiring. It was evident that inclusion is an important topic for them, and they are actively seeking ways to develop it further.”
During his mobility, Vlado Balaban focused on presenting topics related to adapted physical activity at Palacký University and its practical applications, issues of discipline in school-based physical education, and the role of physical education in the curricular documents of the Czech Republic. His lectures were met with great interest from both students and academic staff, creating space for fruitful discussions and the exchange of different perspectives between the Czech and Bosnian education systems.
The programme also included meetings with the leadership of the partner faculty, specifically with Dean Prof. Borko Petrović and Vice-Dean Prof. Saša Jovanović. Discussions focused on possibilities for further cooperation—both in terms of academic mobility and the exchange of know-how in the fields of adapted physical activity and inclusion. Both sides also expressed interest in exploring opportunities for joint educational activities and participation in international projects. As Balaban summarized: “The discussions were very constructive and pointed to many promising directions for future cooperation, which we would like to continue developing.”
This visit held special significance for Balaban, who is a graduate of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport in Banja Luka. After many years, he had the opportunity to return and reconnect with his former teachers and colleagues—this time in the role of a partner from a Czech university. “It was a powerful moment to return to the place where I first gained experience as a student and now be able to share my knowledge as an academic.”
The visit confirmed that cooperation between the Faculty of Physical Culture at Palacký University and its partner institution in Banja Luka holds real potential and concrete benefits. The mobility not only strengthened professional ties but also enriched both sides with new insights and experiences that can be further applied in teaching and in the development of student support services at both universities.
