Prof. Dr. Lejla Pojskić represented Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 31st Annual Assembly of the Governing Council of the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB)
On 14 and 15 May 2025, the 31st Annual Assembly of the Governing Council of the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) was held in New Delhi. Bosnia and Herzegovina has been a member of this international organization since 2005 and a successor in the mission to develop new biotechnologies based on genetic engineering for sustainable industrial development through its own center at the University of Sarajevo—the Institute for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (INGEB).
This year, Bosnia and Herzegovina was represented at the Assembly by Prof. Dr. Lejla Pojskić, scientific advisor and full professor at the University of Sarajevo.
For the University of Sarajevo's website, Professor Pojskić emphasized: “This year marks 20 years since our country became a member of this prestigious organization founded by the UN Council. The mandate of ICGEB is the development of new biotechnologies to improve industrial processes in terms of sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and environmental friendliness, in light of global challenges such as environmental pollution, food and medicine shortages, energy resource deficits, and other various issues. Today, more than ever, this is highly relevant. During the meeting of ICGEB scientists and policy representatives from around the world, the official opening of the first public Biofoundry— a center for synthetic biology and biotechnological innovations—was held at the ICGEB branch in New Delhi. The meeting also aligned projections for ICGEB’s scientific and technological development, as well as potential forms of cooperation among member countries, focusing on transfer and implementation of new biotechnologies for reducing CO2 emissions, reusing carbon compounds, waste-to-biofuel conversion, applying existing knowledge to improve health, produce biopharmaceuticals, and develop diagnostic tools.”
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s governor at ICGEB, Prof. Dr. Kasim Bajrović, emphasized that the membership of the University of Sarajevo—Institute for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology—in the ICGEB network is very important for the continuous development of Bosnian and Herzegovinian science, increasing the visibility of our research, and establishing new networks and creating new value worldwide.
“The University of Sarajevo—Institute for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, as an affiliated center of ICGEB, has proudly represented Bosnia and Herzegovina for 20 years. As the governor of Bosnia and Herzegovina at ICGEB, I coordinate all ICGEB activities directed toward universities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially related to: ICGEB research grants CRP—Research Cooperation Program, ICGEB meetings and courses, Arturo Falaschi PhD fellowship program, and Arturo Falaschi postdoctoral fellowship program. The University of Sarajevo—Institute for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, as the only Bosnian affiliated scientific institution within the prestigious ICGEB network, is vital for the ongoing development of science and our researchers, increasing the visibility of our research, and establishing new networks and creating new value.”
