FBiH awards for science presented

A formal session of the Science Council of the Federal Ministry of Education and Science, at which four laureates of federal awards for science were presented to the general public, which are awarded as the highest recognition for extremely significant scientific achievements in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, was held on 7 December 2021, in Sarajevo.

In the presence of members of the Council - Academician Prof. Dr. Ljerka Ostojić, Prof. Dr. Nermina Zaimović-Uzunović, Prof. Dr. Aida Crnkić, Prof. Dr. Asim Peco and Prof. Dr. Mirsad Veladžić - the session was chaired by academician Prof. Dr. Rešid Hafizović, President of the Council, who announced the winners of the federal awards for science in four categories, namely: Lifetime Achievement Awards, Annual Awards for Science, Annual Awards for Young Researchers and Annual Awards for Popularization and Promotion of Science.

The charters were handed over by the Prime Minister of the Federation of BiH, Fadil Novalić, and the awards also consist of a monetary amount, as determined by the Decision on awarding federal awards for science.

The Lifetime Achievement Award is given to outstanding scientists for the entire scientific research, ie research and development work, which represents their personal contribution to the expansion of scientific knowledge and the application of the results of scientific research and research and development work.

This year's winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award - Professor Emeritus, Dr. Faruk Čaklovica during his academic career has achieved remarkable results in science, education and journalism. He participated in the education of a large number of doctors of veterinary medicine, masters of pharmacy and masters of sanitary engineering, as well as specialists in the field of food safety and other scientific profiles. Prof. Emeritus Dr. Sc. Faruk Čaklovica was nominated for the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sarajevo.

The annual award for science is given to scientists and researchers for outstanding scientific work or through scientific works that form a whole, and significantly contribute to the expansion of existing scientific knowledge.

This year's winner - associate professor Dr. Sc. Jurica Arapović, received the Annual Award for Science for outstanding scientific work and a number of scientific papers that form a whole, and significantly contribute to the expansion of existing scientific knowledge. In the last 17 years of his intensive scientific research work, dr. Jurica Arapović contributed to a better understanding of the mechanisms of immunopathogenesis and epipathogenesis of cytomegalovirus infection, either in the field of basic and/or clinical medical sciences. Dr. Arapović was proposed by the Faculty of Medicine, University of Mostar.

The annual award for outstanding work of young researchers is given to young researchers under the age of 32 who have distinguished themselves in scientific work, published a notable article in a reference international scientific journal, scientific book with international reviews or received relevant international recognition for scientific achievements.

The winner of the Annual Award for Young Researchers, Josipa Krezić, was awarded for outstanding scientific achievement through four scientific papers published in journals belonging to the first two quarters in the relevant scientific field. In three of the four works, Josipa Krezić is the first author. The young researcher was nominated for the award by the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Technology, University of Mostar.

The annual award for popularization and promotion of science is awarded for the contribution to the dissemination of knowledge about science, which is reflected in the popular presentation of valuable professional and scientific publications and other forms of presentation.

The winner of the Annual Award for popularization and promotion of science is Prof. Dr. Sc. Elvis Ahmetović due to his great contribution to the dissemination of new knowledge in science through their publication, presentation and promotion in the immediate and wider environment. He is the author or co-author of over 100 papers, 7 books and 3 book chapters, and has been cited more than 950 times. He has participated in more than 50 mobilities, over 10 guest lectures and 15 projects, and in 2020 he was the coordinator of four international and one domestic project. He participated in television shows and conferences in 2020 with the aim of promoting and popularizing science. Professor Ahmetović was nominated for the award by the Faculty of Technology of the University of Tuzla.

Special recognition - The Federal Ministry of Education and Science also awarded a special recognition to Mr. Sc. Andrej Gajić for notable research work in the field of natural sciences, popularization of science and promotion of Bosnia and Herzegovina at the domestic and international level.

Andrej Gajić is an award-winning scientist and author of documentaries, with academic specializations in pathology and conservation, with more than 10 years of experience in field work and laboratory studies, including studies of renowned institutions such as National Geographic and Discovery Channel.