Meeting between UNSA Rector and Ambassador of Finland | Cooperation among the University of Sarajevo and the universities from Finland Discussed

H.E. Mr. Kalle Kankaanpää, Ambassador of Finland to Bosnia and Herzegovina visited the University of Sarajevo, where he had a meeting with University of Sarajevo Rector, Prof. Dr. Rifat Škrijelj. In this significant meeting, Mr. Arvo Nerman, the Regional Director of the Finnish National Water Association “Finnish Water Forum,“ Mr. Janne Sykkö, Trade Adviser for the region of Southeast Europe) and Mrs. Laura Stojić, Advisor for Economics (Embassy of Finland in Zagreb) participated.

In addition to Rector Škrijelj, on behalf of the University of Sarajevo attended the meeting: Dr. Jasna Bošnjović, Head of the International Cooperation Service, Mr. Sc. Adnan Rahimić, Senior Expert Associate for International Cooperation, and Mr. Sc. Miroslav Živanović, Head of the Rector's Cabinet.

Ambassador Kankaanpää, which resides in Sarajevo within the International Energy and Climate Week - Sarajevo Energy & Climate Week (SECW), pointed out the interest in cooperation with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo and the University of Sarajevo. Also, he expressed interest in the activities of the University of Sarajevo and future cooperation, and the realization of cooperation between the University of Sarajevo and Finnish educational and research institutions was one of the topics of the meeting.

In emphasizing the University of Sarajevo’s comprehensiveness, Rector Škrijelj presented its history, development, activities, research work and infrastructure, and has referred to the current successful cooperation between the University of Sarajevo and Finnish universities. Namely, the University of Sarajevo achieves cooperation with four universities in Finland through bilateral agreements and Erasmus + programs: University of Eastern Finland, University of Jyväskyläi, University of Helsinki and the University of the Academy. Rector Škrijelj especially emphasized the importance of exchanging ideas and establishing cooperation, and expressed interest in wider educational, scientific and research cooperation.

The meeting’s focus was placed on the development of common study programs and projects of key importance for a sustainable future, including areas of energy, water resources, water safety and digital air management.

Mr. Arvo Nerman presented the possibilities of the continuing education program that FWF has developed together with Finnish universities. As he pointed out, these are programs designed with the aim of increasing competencies in certain areas such as water resources management, water safety, and digital and smart water management.

Tangible forms of cooperation were considered, which could be realized between the University of Sarajevo and the Universities from Finland, and the association of the University of the private sector in Finland was discussed.

The meeting was completed with an expressive opening for the continuation of talks with the aim of achieving cooperation, and it is emphasized that we can achieve outstanding results in common and achieve numerous successes.