The University of Sarajevo celebrated its 70th Anniversary

The ceremonial at the National Theater on 2 December 2019, marked the 70th University of Sarajevo’s anniversary. The seventieth birthday of each institution is an opportunity to stop, look back and think about its near and far future. We are celebrating the University of Sarajevo’s 70th anniversary in a time of significant reform that should result in a more efficient and harmonized integrated University’s functioning.
The past, present and future work of the University of Sarajevo rests on Wilhelm von Humboldt’s 

The ceremony began with the screening of a film on the history and development of the University of Sarajevo, which outlined some of the most important facts regarding the University.

University of Sarajevo Rector, Prof. Dr. Rifat Škrijelj emphasized in his address that as a modernly organized university representing the main backbone of scientific knowledge in our country, the University of Sarajevo in its many decades of work contributed to the development and strengthening of academic capacities throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Balkans and Europe.
“We can be especially proud of the fact that at the University of Sarajevo we have preserved the multi-ethnicity and multiculturalism that has adorned Bosnia and Herzegovina for centuries, and showed that this is the only way to live here” Rector Škrijelj said, adding: “We will continue to advocate the full autonomy of the University of Sarajevo and the promotion of academic freedoms, since the University, as a vector of progress, can have its historical responsibility in shaping a better and more beautiful future for all of us only if it is autonomous and free from all kinds of lobbies and political pressures, regardless of which side they were coming. Only under these conditions can a healthy academic atmosphere be created that can produce positive results.”

He also emphasized that the University of Sarajevo continues to strive for achieving long-term projected goals of excellence, and that the orientation of the University is and must be further integration into the world academic trends, because that is the only way we can achieve our basic mission - prosperity and progress of the society as a whole.

On behalf of the BH Rectors’ Conference, its current President Prof. Dr. Milan Kulić, Rector of the University of East Sarajevo congratulated to the University of Sarajevo pointing out that science and knowledge in this part of the world knows no boundaries.

In the Bosnian society and science development retrospective, Academician Dr. Miloš Trifković, President of the Academy of Sciences and Arts of BiH, emphasized “Due to the fact that it was the first to be fit with the best human resource and given the special social attention, the University of Sarajevo served not only as the most important nursery of knowledge and the main vector of research, but also as an institution that essentially enabled the gradual opening of other higher education and scientific institutions in our country. That is why the University of Sarajevo has been and remains one of the recognizable symbols of our country's higher education and science.”

It was important to, when speaking about the University of Sarajevo, to speak from a variety of perspectives, and especially from the perspectives of those who have acquired knowledge at this University and are currently using it to bring progress to their entire society and who are the best ambassadors of our University. On this occasion, video messages recorded by young scientists Admir Greljo and Harun Hindija were presented.

On behalf of the Sarajevo Canton Assembly, the founder of the University of Sarajevo, congratulations to the University were addressed by the Assembly Speaker, Mr. Elmedin Konaković, and stated that they were firmly committed to the complete autonomy of the University of Sarajevo and to its complete academic independence.

The Mayor of Sarajevo, Mr. Abdulah Skaka, emphasized that the City of Sarajevo, as the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, regional metropolis and a worldwide symbol of multiethnic and shared life of people of different worldviews, religions, nations and outlook on life, is inextricably linked to the University of Sarajevo.

The university is not only important for the city, but its significance extends beyond the borders of our country and its influence is visible in every corner of the planet in which our current and former students and professors through their scientific and professional work achieve success and make tomorrow a little better than yesterday. The University of Sarajevo honors those who are responsible for the fact that this institution is still a bastion of knowledge and progress, and that it is continuously realizing and expanding its vision.

The University of Sarajevo Medals were presented to Academician Prof. Dr. Dejan Milošević, Danis Tanović, Amel Tuka, Faculty of Forestry student, Nirhad Mesić, Eldin Jeleković and Music Academy student Edin Vučelj.
The University of Sarajevo thank you plaques were awarded to Prof. Dr. Hasan Muratović, 2005-2007 University of Sarajevo Rector, Chairman of the Sarajevo Canton Assembly, Mr. Elmedin Konaković, Government of Sarajevo Canton, Academy of Sciences and Arts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, European Commission, Saudi Development Fund and the Government of Austria.

Admiral Greljo was named Ambassador of the University of Sarajevo for his outstanding success in promoting the University of Sarajevo internationally.

The Peace and Progress Awards were presented to the Association of Mothers of the Srebrenica and Žepa Enclaves, the Inter-Religious Council in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Ajna Jusić, President of the Forgotten Children of War Association.