The University of Sarajevo promoted 4102 BA and MA graduates!

The graduation ceremony of graduates and master's students of the University of Sarajevo was held on 13 December 2022, in the Bosnian Cultural Center (BKC).

At the ceremony, Prof. Dr. Rifat Škrijelj, University of Sarajevo Rector, Vice-Rectors and deans of Faculties/Academies promoted 4102 BA and MA graduates, students of the University of Sarajevo.

Prof. Dr. Rifat Škrijelj, Rector, congratulated the graduates and master's students, and pointed out that the University of Sarajevo is working and developing in an effort to justify its role as a higher education institution that is an inseparable part of contemporary Bosnian society and the state, as well as taking numerous reform steps.

“I believe that the generation we are promoting this year will fully use the results of our capital investments in infrastructure, such as the University Library, where we are also expected to sign a contract with the contractor these days, as well as the new most modern Campus in the region, whose master plan is being developed and will enable access to the financial arrangements of the European Union, necessary for its construction. I am convinced that your knowledge, skills and ambitions will be an integral part of this new exciting period in the development of the University that is yet to come,” stated Rector Škrijelj, and added: “I am convinced of the success of your academic and professional endeavors, because you are a strong generation, which, despite the many challenges and even the detours that modern multidimensional reality brings with it, remained dedicated to the above-average academic achievement that we are witnessing here today. I also thank you for all the sacrifices and sacrifices. Be proud of what you have achieved and believe that you will achieve even more.”

He said that the University of Sarajevo and its graduates and master's students, as its greatest value, guided by progressive ideas, together can make an immeasurable contribution to the construction of BiH as a state and society that will gather, unite and further develop all positive potentials.

“I tell the politicians to replace their war-mongering rhetoric with the lifting of the moratorium on the employment of young people at all levels of government and in the real sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina”, stated Rector Škrijelj, and pointed out that it is not logical that in every election campaign messages about stopping the departure of young people from countries, and immediately after the election, governments adopt moratoriums on employment.

He told the Government of Sarajevo Canton that the University of Sarajevo is looking for the employment of 150 assistants, because this was last done in 2018, and for the past four years, the University of Sarajevo has been without 300 members of the academic community due to retirement and other reasons. “Youth brings prosperity and joy, and we want to have that at the University of Sarajevo,” said Rector Škrijelj.

“I call on all officials of the international community and the diplomatic corps in Bosnia and Herzegovina to honor and serve professionally and objectively, and without fan manners in relation to Bosnia and Herzegovina's political concepts, to truly stand by the citizens of this country, and to sanction all those who use hate speech they are driving young people out of this country. Our graduates do not want to go to the trenches, and then to the graves, but they want to work, and in a safe environment, form their families and live in freedom,” emphasized the rector of the University of Sarajevo.

The Deputy Mayor of the City of Sarajevo, Mr. Haris Bašić, congratulated the graduates and master's students on the successful completion of their studies: “The diploma you are receiving today is a ticket to a new chapter in your life. Enter it with youthful boldness and wisdom. You are a wonderful generation of boys and girls. You are our intelligence and a huge opportunity. I have no doubt that you will be able to use it,” Bašić said.

Prof. Dr. Aleksandra Nikolić, Minister of Science, Higher Education and Youth of the Canton of Sarajevo, congratulated the graduates and told them that their success is also the success of the entire academic community. She pointed out that she is sure that, like many generations before them, they will wear titles with pride, and that their works will be celebrated by the oldest and best university in Bosnia and Herzegovina. “It is often called the University of Sarajevo, I ask you to call it the University of Sarajevo, which is world-class, which is global, which is local, which is yours,” said Minister Nikolić.

“I expect and believe that with your creativity, honesty, integrity and enthusiasm, you will be able to create successful careers, families, in short, a life that we will all be proud of,” said Minister Nikolić, adding that she expects them to be proactive and able to take over responsibility, ready to face all the challenges that life brings. She invited graduates and masters to continue learning, to selflessly share knowledge, ideas and experience, i.e and to be open to new approaches and models of living imposed by the radical change of the socio-economic environment driven by technologies, the so-called Industries 4.0.

A video message to graduates and master's students was sent by University of Sarajevo alumni, Dr. Adnan Mehonić, professor at the Faculty of Electronics and Electrical Engineering at University College London and scientific member of the Royal Academy of Technical Sciences of Great Britain. Doctor Mehonić completed his Bachelor's studies at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering of the University of Sarajevo in 2006 as the best student and winner of the Golden Badge award.

During the ceremony, 201 winners of the University of Sarajevo awards were presented: the Gold Badge of the University of Sarajevo, the Silver Badge of the University of Sarajevo and the Charter of the University of Sarajevo, as well as the best students of the first and second cycle of studies in 2022.

In the first cycle of studies, 28 graduates were awarded the Gold Badge, the highest honor of the University of Sarajevo, 84 graduates were awarded the Silver Badge, and four graduates received the Charter of the University of Sarajevo. Among the students of the second cycle of studies, 23 master's students were awarded the Gold Badge, 33 the Silver Badge and two students received the Charter of the University of Sarajevo. In the integrated study program of cycles I and II, three students were awarded the Gold Badge, 22 students were awarded the Silver Badge, and two students received the Charter.

The best student of the first cycle of studies in 2022 with an average grade of 10 is Admir Papić from the Faculty of Science. The best students of the second cycle of study in 2022 with an average grade of 10 are Adisa Bolić from the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and Tarik Čorbo from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. These students were awarded by the rector of the University of Sarajevo.

In her address at the ceremony, Adisa Bolić said that all the hard work paid off, congratulating everyone on completing their education and wishing success to those who will continue their education. She said that during high school, everyone recommended her to enroll in a university abroad, but at the end of the fourth grade of high school, she changed her mind, convinced that she could get the knowledge she wanted in Bosnia and Herzegovina. She pointed out that the decision to stay in BiH was definitely not wrong.

The ceremonial promotion of graduates and masters of the University of Sarajevo is organized with the support of media partners: Television Sarajevo, RSG - Radio Stari Grad, Antena Sarajevo, Dnevni avaz and Oslobođenje.

Photos by: Vanja Čerimagić

*Photo gallery: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.865552911166294&type=3