Delegation of the Saudi Development Fund visits the University of Sarajevo

The University of Sarajevo hosted a delegation of the Saudi Development Fund, composed of Director Eng. Bandr S. Alharbi, advisor Abdullah M. Alromeih, and project manager eng. Amar Albelaihees.

The visit of the delegation of the Saudi Development Fund was organized with the aim of visiting project units that implement projects financed by the Fund, and one of the project units is the University of Sarajevo, which uses Saudi Fund funds for the capital project of building the University Library on the University Campus.

The Rector, Prof. Dr. Rifat Škrijelj, Minister of Science, Higher Education and Youth of Sarajevo Canton Prof. Dr. Melika Husić-Mehmedović, Mayor of Novo Sarajevo Dr. Hasan Tanović, Vice Rector for Finance, Prof. Dr. Tarik Zaimović, and Prof. Dr. Adnan Pašić, project manager of the Project Implementation Unit for the construction and equipping of the University of Sarajevo Library received the delegation.

The participants of the meeting discussed the regular report on the activities so far and got acquainted with the progress in the realization of the project of building the University Library, which is fully financed by the Saudi Development Fund.

Emphasizing that the Saudi Development Fund is a strategic partner of the University of Sarajevo, Rector Prof. Dr. Rifat Škrijelj expressed his gratitude to the representatives of the Saudi Fund for financing the construction of the Library, and pointed out that this project gives a serious contribution to strengthening educational and scientific capacities in Sarajevo and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“The construction of university infrastructure is part of my program orientation as the rector of the University and the strategic orientation of the University as an institution” said Rector Škrijelj, adding that the construction of the library is invaluable for the University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Library building, with a gross area of ​​approximately 15,000 m2, with its spatial-functional structure follows the program elements defined by the existing master plan and regulation plan of the Campus of the University of Sarajevo.

“The campus of the University of Sarajevo is certainly the most important project not only for the University, but for the whole of Sarajevo, and it will certainly improve the quality of life not only of students but of all residents of this city." We will officially start with the library and see the first building within the Campus, and I am especially glad that it is exactly the library because it symbolically speaks about the purpose of the Campus “ stated Minister Husić-Mehmedović.

Mayor of Novo Sarajevo Dr. Tanović expressed the readiness of this local community to invest maximum effort and effort in order for this strategic project, a project of interest to the state, to come to life in the shortest possible time.

Prof. Dr. Tarik Zaimović presented the significant steps that have been achieved in the previous period and during the presentation he provided an insight into the degree of performance of preparatory construction works on the site.

The report on activities was also presented by Prof. Dr. Adnan Pašić, who is also the creator of the conceptual design of the UNSA library.

Representatives of the Saudi Development Fund pointed out that their work has been expanded to more than 80 countries, but that Bosnia and Herzegovina occupies a special place in their activities. As they stated, the general direction of the Fund is to be at the service of the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina and their desire is to improve these relations.

"What we truly want is to have a strong connection between the citizens of BiH and the citizens of Saudi Arabia, to experience each other as friends," said Director Alharbi.

When it comes to the technical aspects of the project of building and equipping the library, the representatives of the Saudi Development Fund said that they were extremely satisfied with the progress made in a short period, and stressed that their actions will be guided by a sincere desire to begin construction as soon as possible.

For the current phase of the realization of the project of building and equipping the Library of the University of Sarajevo, all technical preparation has been completed. This will be followed by the sending of tender documents for approval to the Saudi Development Fund, after which a tender will be announced for a company that performs works and equips the building. After the completion of the tender procedure, the beginning of construction works is expected.