Adress by the University of Sarajevo Rector, Prof. Dr. Tarik Zaimović on the occasion of the beginning of the 2024/2025 academic year
Respected professors, respected colleagues, employees, dear students of the University of Sarajevo,
the beginning of another academic year is a moment that always carries with it a special symbolism, not only as the beginning of a new cycle of imparting and developing knowledge, but also as a unique opportunity for each of us to dedicate ourselves with new energy to development, learning, and research.
This year, the University of Sarajevo celebrates its 75th Anniversary and unwaveringly continues its mission of education and creation of future leaders, innovators and experts who will shape the society in which we live. Our university, which has been at the forefront of scientific and research achievements in Bosnia and Herzegovina for decades, is strongly committed to building its future on the basis of excellence and innovation.
This academic year brings new challenges, but also numerous opportunities for progress. Our priority remains the students, their academic success and development, both professionally and personally. As an institution, we will continue to improve the teaching process, strengthen the infrastructure and encourage an interdisciplinary approach in learning and research. Together with professors and researchers, we continue to develop our scientific and artistic excellence. The new academic year offers us the opportunity to review our approaches, adapt them to the needs of the modern world and jointly create an environment in which everyone will feel motivated to contribute to the common mission of the University.
Dear students, your responsibility is not only to acquire knowledge, but to actively apply, spread and share it. Be committed to your academic duties, but also open to adopting and exploring new ideas and approaches. Be curious, critical, but also responsible in your academic work. In addition, you are ambassadors of this university, and it is important that through your behavior, work and participation in society, you promote the values that guide the University - knowledge, integrity, innovation, peace, justice, social responsibility and inclusion.
Dear professors, researchers, our commitment to educational and scientific work is key to improving the quality of the teaching process and research results. Let's be an inspiration to our students, providing them not only with information, but also with motivation for critical thinking and an innovative approach. In addition, let's try harder than ever before to direct our scientific research work towards solving the key problems of our society, bringing solutions that will improve the quality of life and contribute to social well-being.
Dear employees, your support for the daily activities of the University is necessary for its success. The efficient functioning of all segments of the University, from administration to technical support, directly contributes to the creation of a stimulating environment for learning, research and innovation. Your work makes the University a place that fosters excellence, and your dedication and professionalism are key to our shared success.
The University of Sarajevo, as the most important academic institution in Bosnia and Herzegovina, has a special responsibility in preserving and promoting university freedom and autonomy. These values are the foundation of our work, because only with full academic freedom and institutional autonomy can we achieve our mission. As the alma mater of all public universities in our country, we must not allow our autonomy to be compromised by short-term interests or external pressures. Academic freedom allows scientists, professors, students to research, think critically and express themselves without fear of political or financial interference. It is the freedom that allows us to progress and innovate.
In this time, when we face global challenges such as demographic changes, climate crises, technological development and socioeconomic inequality, universities must take an active role in shaping society. We can achieve this only by preserving our autonomy, as a guarantor of quality, integrity and critical thinking. Preservation of autonomy is not only an institutional struggle, but also our common mission - the mission of all of us who make up the University of Sarajevo. I am convinced that together we will continue to strengthen the University of Sarajevo as the central educational and research institution of our country.
Scientia potentia est
