The UNSA Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Celebrates the 30th Anniversary
A press conference on the occasion of marking the 30th anniversary of UNSA Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (INGEB) was held on 22 February 2018 in the University of Sarajevo Rectorate. The jubilee celebration program and its importance were presented at the press conference by Prof. D. Rifat Škrijelj, Rector, Prof. Dr. Naris Pojskić, Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology director and Prof. Dr. Kasim Bajrović, President of the Organizing Committee.
Rector Škrijelj said that University of Sarajevo was proud for having as its full member the Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, an institution that had been marking its 30th aniversary.
“What I consider to be particularly proud as an institution is the fact that this Institute has opened many doors for the science in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the field of molecular-genetic research for the past 30 years” said Rector Škrijelj. He also pointed to the fact that the Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology has upgraded its scientific activity in the field of plant, animal and human molecular genetics to this level on a qualitative scale, making this institute one of the most prestigious institutions in the Balkans and beyond.
The Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology is an important element in scientific and teaching activity, as a teaching-scientific basis for the acquisition of practical skills, which future scientists in the field of natural, biomedical and biotechnical sciences acquire in the laboratories of the Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology.
Speaking about the history, mission and plans of the Institute for the future, director Pojskić stated that in the past 30 years the Institute had positioned itself as one of the key scientific entities in Bosnia and Herzegovina in its field.
“It was established with the aim of developing biotechnology based on genetic engineering, as well as molecular biology and genetics in general. During the past 30 years, the Institute underwent various stages: since the establishment, procurement of equipment and education of the first generation of scientific research personnel, and intensification of scientific activity, the delay of development in 1992-1995 period. After 1995, the period of painstaking physical restoration of devastated laboratories, modernization of research equipment, education of new and young research staff begins, and then moves on reaching scientific and technological goals. In 2013, the Institute returns to its natural science environment, which is the University of Sarajevo, where as an organizational unit has a special task of developing multidisciplinary approaches in the development of molecular biological technology” said director Pojskić.
During the past period, when the new development trends, as well as the change in situation when the industrial production in our country led to the Institute restructuring, Director Pojskić states that the vision and mission of the Institute remained constant – i.e. to adopt and develop modern molecular technologies through development and research projects and make them accessible to our community.
"When asked, we put our knowledge into the service of our community, whether it was a DNA identification of missing persons in Bosnia and Herzegovina, or support to various agencies and organs of all levels of our state. In cooperation with the International Commission on Missing Persons, we participated in the DNA identification of the missing persons in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which became the global technological standard in personal DNA identification. Through development of technological guidelines for various food control agencies, and with our scientific and professional knowledge, we support the development of our small economy based on comparative business advantages. We often develop personalized DNA analysis as needed by state authorities, NGOs and even individuals” pointed out director Pojskić. He also said that Institute’s scientific and professional validity was also recognized outside our country. According to the research and development strategy for Western Balkan region innovation, commissioned by the World Bank in 2013, the Institute has been recognized as the only scientific and development institution in Bosnia and Herzegovina that provides contracted research services at the international level. Also, the Institute is an affiliate center of the International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, the international meritorious organizations.
Recalling the educational role of the Institute, Prof. Dr. Kasim Bajrović, Jubilee Marking Organizing Committee President emphasized that the Institute participates in the realization of teaching in the first, second and third cycle, and a doctoral study together with the Department of Biology at the UNSA Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, where within the Institute, dozens of doctoral dissertation are realized, both for the students of the University of Sarajevo, as well as for other BH universities.
Professor Bajrović also presented a rich three-day Jubilee celebration program, which will be held from 26 to 28 February, and within which thirty years of active work in the fields of genetics, genetic engineering and biotechnology will be presented.
