The Solemn Senate Session and University of Sarajevo Professors Emeriti Promotion on the Occasion of Celebrating the 70th University of Sarajevo’s Anniversary

The Solemn Senate Session and University of Sarajevo Professors Emeriti Promotion on the occasion of celebrating the 70th University of Sarajevo’s Anniversary was held in the University of Sarajevo Ceremonial Hall on 2 December 2019. 

On 2 December 1949, the University Founding Assembly convened at the Old City Hall building, where the first University of Sarajevo Rector, Dr. Vaso Butozan and First Vice-Rector, Dr. Drago Krndija were elected. The founding day of the first public university in Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the most significant dates in the BH history, akin to a social milestone.

Welcome address was delivered by University of Sarajevo Rector, Prof. Dr. Rifat Škrijelj who emphasized the proud commemorating of the institution’s significant jubilee – the inseparable part of the contemporary Bosnian society and state.

“We conducted the University academic integration, the integration of the selection process for teachers and associates, the promotion of enrollment and the promotion of graduates and master's students. Thanks to the Sarajevo Canton and other levels of government support, we are continuously introducing new assistants and associates to our academic community. We are establishing new services such as the Office for Supporting Students with Disabilities, strengthening cooperation with the economy and the environment through joint projects and more than 200 signed agreements” said Rector Škrijelj, adding that the re-accreditation of the University of Sarajevo was completed with extremely positive comments from the Expert Re-Accreditation Commission and UNSA's position on Webometrics is improving. Rector Škrijelj emphasized that the University of Sarajevo is undergoing a reform which in its scope and consequences can be measured with the importance of the founding of our University.

“Like any reform, this is a momentous, extremely difficult and complex process, fraught with many challenges and obstacles, but I take this opportunity to express my personal and strong conviction that our academic community has the strength to fully implement and validate the University in Sarajevo as the basic institution of BiH society and state” said Rector Škrijelj.

Mr. Michael Gaebel, Director of the Policy Department in Higher Education of the European Association of Universities (EUA) congratulated to the University of Sarajevo and stated that they are proud that the University of Sarajevo is an active member in the EUA and looks forward to continued cooperation.

The University of Sarajevo Students’ Parliament President, Mr. Hamza Vahid El Din emphasized the following “I am proud of our University because it is founded and has grown on the imperative of educating new generations for the benefit of the entire society and state of Bosnia and Herzegovina.” He also emphasized that the University of Sarajevo throughout its existence has always sought to differentiate itself from many other universities, and that what differentiates it is, above all, the quality of education it provides to its students.

For the title of Professors Emeriti, particularly deserving retired full-time professors who have long contributed to the advancement and development of university teaching, research, and who have gained an international reputation are nominated. University of Sarajevo Rector Prof. Dr., Rifat Škrijelj promoted the following professors into University of Sarajevo Professors Emeriti:

1. Academician Dr. Esad Duraković, Academy of Sciences and Arts of Bosnia and Herzegovina full member and retired Faculty of Philosophy, University of Sarajevo professor;
2. Academician Dr. Asif Šabanović, Academy of Sciences and Arts of Bosnia and Herzegovina full member and retired Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Sarajevo full professor
3. Academician Dr. Mirjana Vuković, Academy of Sciences and Arts of Bosnia and Herzegovina full member and retired Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Sarajevo full professor;
4. Prof. Dr. Ramo Masleša, retired Faculty of Criminalistics, Criminology and Security Studies, University of Sarajevo full professor;
5. Prof. Dr. Niko Ikić, retired Faculty of Catholic Theology, University of Sarajevo full professor.

On behalf of promoted Professors Emeriti, attendees were addressed by Dr. Niko Ikić, University of Sarajevo professor emeritus.

At the ceremony, the University of Sarajevo gave thank you notes to individuals and institutions responsible for outstanding achievements, promotion and successful work and development of the University of Sarajevo. The University of Sarajevo thank you notes were awarded to:

• Prof. Dr. Denis Zvizdić, Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina Chairman, for his outstanding contribution to the development of the University of Sarajevo, especially with regard to support for the 150+ program and the recruitment of assistants at the University of Sarajevo;
• Academician Prof. Dr. Rifat Hadžiselimović, for his outstanding contribution to the work and development of the University of Sarajevo, especially for his contribution to marking the 70th University of Sarajevo’s anniversary and drafting the 70th University of Sarajevo’s Anniversary Monograph;
• Prof. Dr. Francesco Ubertini, University of Bologna Rector, and Prof. Dr. Enrico Sangiorgi, University of Bologna Vice-Rector, for their outstanding contribution to the work and development of the University of Sarajevo, especially with regard to the preparation and implementation of the “European Postgraduate Study in Human Rights and Democracy for Southeast Europe” - ERMA;
• Prof. Dr. Aida Hodžić, Vice-Rector for Teaching and Student Affairs, for her outstanding contribution to the work and development of the University of Sarajevo;
• Prof. Dr. Sanja Burić, Vice-Rector for Arts, Culture and Sports, for her outstanding contribution to the work and development of the University of Sarajevo;
• Prof. Dr. Maida Čhohodar-Husić, Vice-Rector for Quality, for her outstanding contribution to the work and development of the University of Sarajevo;
• Prof. Dr. Dženana Husremović, Vice-Rector for Research, for her outstanding contribution to the work and development of the University of Sarajevo;
• Prof. Dr. Aleksandra Nikolić, Vice-Rector for International Cooperation, for her outstanding contribution to the work and development of the University of Sarajevo;
• Prof. Dr. Tarik Zaimović, Vice-Rector for Finance, for his outstanding contribution to the work and development of the University of Sarajevo;
• Rijana Jusufbegović, student vice-rector, for her outstanding contribution to the work and development of the University of Sarajevo;
• Doz. Mr. Sc. Amer Mržljak, for his outstanding contribution to the work and development of the University of Sarajevo, especially for his contribution to the drafting of 70th University of Sarajevo’s Anniversary Monograph;
• Doz. Damir Šagolj, for his outstanding contribution to the work and development of the University of Sarajevo, especially for his contribution to the drafting of the 70th University of Sarajevo’s Anniversary Monograph;
• Prof. Dr. Melika Husić-Mehmedović, for contributing to the development of interdisciplinarity and internationalization of study programs at the University of Sarajevo;
• Prof. Dr. Elmedin Selmanović, for his contribution to the development of the information and communication system of the University of Sarajevo and the information and communication system of secondary education in the Canton of Sarajevo;
• Doz. Dr. Selma Đuliman, for her contribution to the work and development of the University of Sarajevo and the promotion of the official website of the University of Sarajevo with the aim of recognizing and better positioning it on world rankings;
• Mrs. Azra Zvizdić, for her many years of contribution to the work and development of the professional services of the University of Sarajevo, as well as for her contribution to the professional support and implementation of integrative processes at the University of Sarajevo;
• Zehra Drkenda, MSc, for her many years of contribution to the work and development of the professional services of the University and the Rector's Office;
• MSc. Saša Madacki, for his many years of contribution to the work and development of the professional services of the University of Sarajevo, as well as for the development of analytical planning and reporting on higher education at the University of Sarajevo
• University of Sarajevo Music Academy, for contribution to cultural and artistic activities of the University of Sarajevo
• University of Bologna for outstanding contribution to the work and development of the University of Sarajevo 8 (especially with regard to the preparation and implementation of the European Postgraduate Study in Human Rights and Democracy for South-East Europe - ERMA;
• The US Embassy, for its outstanding contribution to the work and development of the University of Sarajevo, especially with regard to supporting academic staff and students of the University of Sarajevo through a Fulbright Scholarship;
• Turkish Agency for International Cooperation and Coordination (TIKA) for outstanding contribution to the work and development of the University of Sarajevo, especially with regard to material reconstruction and reconstruction through support to organizational units of the University of Sarajevo;
• The Central Office of the Confucius Institutes, for their outstanding contribution to the work and development of the University of Sarajevo, especially with regard to the establishment of the Confucius Institute at the University of Sarajevo and to assist in opening the Department of Chinese at the Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Sarajevo;
• The University of Sarajevo Students’ Parliament, for its outstanding contribution to the work and development of the University of Sarajevo, especially for its contribution to the assistance to flooded areas in 2014;

On behalf of the thank you note recipients, the participants were addressed with great honor and pleasure by Prof. Dr. Denis Zvizdić who pointed out: “I think that young people are the most valuable resource and education is the most important and competitive commodity that any state or any society can have.”

The Senate solemn session and UNSA Professors Emeriti promotion are a part of organized events to mark the 70th University of Sarajevo’s anniversary. The University founding day - 2 December, was celebrated by a solemn academy at the National Theater.

The 70th University of Sarajevo’s anniversary will be marked by other events organized in December:

• University of Sarajevo BA and MA Graduates Promotion Ceremony – 7 December 2019 at 11:00 am – “Juan Antonio Samaranch” (Zetra)
• University of Sarajevo Doctor of Sciences/Arts Promotion – 19 December 2019 at 13:00 - National Theater Sarajevo (Obala Kulina bana 9)
• UNSA Music Academy Gala Concert – 19 December 2019 at 19:00 - National Theater Sarajevo (Obala Kulina bana 9).