Ceremonial Unveiling of the Foundation Stone Marked the Beginning of the Construction of the University of Sarajevo Library

The foundation stone unveiling ceremony and the reception for the start of the construction of the University of Sarajevo Library were held today at the Campus of the University of Sarajevo.

This ceremony represents a historic moment for the University of Sarajevo and Bosnia and Herzegovina as a whole. The project of constructing and equipping the University of Sarajevo Library, made possible by a generous grant from the Saudi Fund for the Development of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, stands as the largest post-war investment in university infrastructure. Its implementation will establish the University of Sarajevo as the rightful owner of the building, which, in addition to its undeniable social and cultural significance, will be cherished as a symbolic testament to the friendly relations between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The ceremony was addressed by Prof. Dr. Rifat Škrijelj, Rector of the University of Sarajevo; His Excellency Ahmed Aqeel Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Development Fund of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Mr. Elmedin Konaković, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina; and Mr. Nihad Uk, Prime Minister of Sarajevo Canton. The event was attended by His Excellency Mr. Osama bin Dakhil Al-Ahmadi, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the Vice President of the Saudi Fund for Development, Engineer Faisal Alkahtani. Also present were domestic and international officials, representatives of the academic community of the University of Sarajevo, and other distinguished guests who played a crucial role in the preparation and development of this highly significant capital project at the University of Sarajevo.

The Rector of the University of Sarajevo, Prof. Dr. Rifat Škrijelj, pointed out that today is a special day in the history of the University of Sarajevo, and this joyful occasion represents a visionary step towards realizing our commitment to academic excellence and creating a vibrant and sustainable campus for future generations.

“We express our gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the royal family for their unwavering support for education, research, and cultural development, as expressed through the noble Vision 2030. This significant investment, the largest capital project of our university after the war, testifies to the commitment and friendship between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. With pride and deep gratitude, today we acknowledge the generous donation of the Saudi Development Fund, which enabled the realization of this project,” stressed Rector Škrijelj. He also emphasized that the Library of the University of Sarajevo will become a recognizable center of library and information services intended for students, teaching staff, and the wider academic community. “By centralizing library resources at the University of Sarajevo, we will create access to collections for more than 22,000 users.”

His Excellency Ahmed Aqeel Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Fund for the Development of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, emphasized that this project confirms the close cooperation between the two countries, stating: “This project reflects the strong and lasting development ties between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, which began three decades ago. We are convinced that the new library will play a crucial role in meeting the educational needs of the students of the University of Sarajevo, as well as the wider community.”

Over the past three decades, the Saudi Development Fund has helped finance 11 projects and development programs in different regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina through favorable development loans, with a total value of 185 million dollars. This latest development cooperation, the construction and equipping of the Library of the University of Sarajevo, reaffirms the importance of international cooperation and solidarity in achieving the goals of sustainable development and encouraging economic and social growth.

Mr. Elmedin Konaković, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, pointed out that thanks to the generous grant from the Saudi Fund for the Development of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, this project becomes the largest post-war investment in the infrastructure of the university. “It will not only enrich our academic community but will also symbolize the strong ties and mutual respect between the two nations,” said Minister Konaković. He emphasized that since 1999, cooperation between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Saudi Development Fund has been continuously developing, focusing on key areas such as the transport sector, health, education, and economic recovery. This close cooperation has ensured the implementation of numerous projects that improved the quality of life of their citizens and contributed to the general progress of the country.

“Today, as we begin the construction of the University of Sarajevo Library, we once again confirm our determination to continue our close cooperation with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. May this building serve as a symbol of our partnership and joint commitment to the promotion of knowledge, culture, and tolerance,” Minister Konaković pointed out.

Mr. Nihad Uk, Prime Minister of Sarajevo Canton, pointed out that the construction of the University of Sarajevo Library is significant because it will be the most visible bridge of friendship between Saudi Arabia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“We are grateful to Saudi Arabia for this investment. The library is a symbol of knowledge, cultural uplift, communication, and I believe that our cooperation and friendship will develop precisely in those directions in the future. Just as today, we are laying the foundation stone for the Library, I want to believe that this is the foundation stone for the construction of a modern University campus, in which, in addition to modern university facilities, we will create sports, cultural, and other social facilities for our students. This would position Sarajevo as a regional university city, and we would all have one urban area that would be the pride not only of Sarajevo but also of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” pointed out Prime Minister Uk.

Prof. Dr. Rifat Škrijelj, Rector of the University of Sarajevo, and His Excellency Ahmed Aqeel Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and President of the Board of Directors of the Fund for the Development of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, unveiled the foundation stone and thus marked the official start of the construction of the University of Sarajevo Library.