The solemn UNSA Senate Session marked 73 Anniversary of the University of Sarajevo
The ceremonial session of University of Sarajevo Senate, which marked 73 anniversary years of work and development of the University of Sarajevo, was held on 2 December 2022, in Sarajevo City Hall.
It was in the Town Hall in 1949 that the first University Assembly of the University of Sarajevo was held, and as its first rector Dr. Vaso Butozan. In an atmosphere that was marked by unity that is perhaps unprecedented in our modern history, an institution was established that is at the very foundations of the Bosnian state and social community, and is still dedicated to the idea of unity between people and nations.
Celebrating the anniversary, including the 73rd anniversary of the University of Sarajevo, was a unique opportunity to remind ourselves for a moment of the results achieved in the previous period.
Prof. Dr. Rifat Škrijelj, Rector of the University of Sarajevo, pointed out that the University of Sarajevo is working and developing in an effort to justify its role as a higher education institution, which is an inseparable part of contemporary Bosnian society and the state. Among other things, in his speech he referred to the development of modern and dynamic study programs, scientific research projects and the increase in scientific production, the achieved academic, financial and legal integration of the University, the process of computerization, cooperation with public universities in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the ongoing cooperation at the level of the Rectors' Conference of BiH, cooperation with the Academy of Sciences and Arts of BiH, the internationalization of the University, the support of the Sarajevo Canton Assembly and the Sarajevo Canton Government, and successes regarding capital investments in infrastructure.
“Despite the obvious steps forward, we continue our fight for the full autonomy of the University of Sarajevo and academic freedom, because only an autonomous and free university can be the leader of general social progress. Reforms and goals achieved in the past period are the result of our joint work and effort, all members of the University, teaching, professional, administrative and technical staff, and our joint commitment to building a modern integrated University that will improve our excellence, generate a healthy academic atmosphere and nurture lasting focus on achieving positive results and achieving our strategic goals”, stressed Rector Škrijelj, and added: “The orientation of the University of Sarajevo is and must be further integration into the world's academic trends, because only in this way can we achieve our basic mission - the prosperity and progress of society in whole”.
Academician Prof. Dr. Muris Čičić, president of the Academy of Sciences and Arts of BiH, Prof. Dr. Zoran Tomić, Rector of the University of Mostar on behalf of the Rector's Conference of BiH, Mr. Haris Bašić, Deputy Mayor of the City of Sarajevo, Prof. Dr. Aleksandra Nikolić, Minister of Science, Higher Education and Youth of the Canton of Sarajevo, Mr. Elvedin Okerić, Chairman of the Assembly of the Canton of Sarajevo, and Prof. Dr. Denis Zvizdić, Chairman of the House of Representatives of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly.
President of the Academy of Sciences and Arts of BiH academician Prof. Dr. Muris Čičić emphasized that the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the University of Sarajevo are complementary institutions that have been cooperating more and more in the last few years, institutions with common goals, common tasks and common aspirations.
“Most of the members of the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, most of the academics come from the University of Sarajevo. So the University of Sarajevo is mostly our parent institution. In this matter, we often do not differentiate between the concept of the University of Sarajevo and the concept of the Academy of Sciences and Arts. What our cooperation is based on are international standards, openness to the world, openness to cooperation, and the scientific research and artistic projects that characterize our work”, stated Academician Čičić, and added that in this difficult, uncertain and disturbed environment, it is important what kind of decisions we bring today because they will determine how future generations will live.
On behalf of the Rector's Conference/Board of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Prof. Dr. Zoran Tomić, rector of the University of Mostar, and reminded that the University of Sarajevo, from its establishment until today, developed first in its organizational structure by establishing new faculties and institutes, and twenty years later it would irreversibly and historically influence the establishment of higher education institutions, universities and in Banja Luca, Tuzla, Mostar, and a little later in other cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He added that this confirms that the University of Sarajevo is everyone's alma mater - foster mother.
“A strong University in Sarajevo equals a strong society and a strong state. It's enough to feel sorry for us. Anyone. Let's finally show Europe and the world what we are like, how good we are and how much we can do. May the leader of that force continue to be academic community headed by the University of Sarajevo”, said the rector of the University of Mostar, Prof. Dr. Zoran Tomić.
Messages and congratulations on behalf of the City of Sarajevo and the mayor Dr. Benjamina Karić was instructed by Mr. Haris Bašić, Deputy Mayor of the City of Sarajevo. “Behind you are 73 successful, hard-working, courageous years of activity. You are a bastion of knowledge and progress. You continuously realize and expand your vision. You are the true core of scientific thought, education, research and professional work, academic excellence, integrity of every student”, Mr. Bašić pointed out, and said that the University of Sarajevo in the City of Sarajevo will always have support for its development and promotional projects, which will result in the student at the center of the educational process.
Prof. Dr. Aleksandra Nikolić, Minister of Science, Higher Education and Youth of Sarajevo Canton, believes that the public is not sufficiently familiar with all the achievements of the University of Sarajevo, and with what is the intellectual heritage of our country, which is preserved, as she stated, in the premises and chests of the University of Sarajevo. “I expect that in the coming years there will be intensified activities that will present this heritage more effectively. The Government of Sarajevo Canton is determined to develop a modern ecosystem of science, higher education and innovation in partnership with the University of Sarajevo, and to enable the creation of a fourth-generation university that will become a leader of change,” said Minister Nikolić. She reminded that, among other things, the KS Government allocated record funds for science this year, enabled and supported the Campus in the Park initiative, supported the reconstruction and renovation of the Faculties of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and Dental Medicine with Clinics, enabled the start of the reconstruction of the Faculty of Health Studies building, undertook a series of activities in the construction of the legislative framework, and started activities on the preparation of the Strategy for the Development of Higher Education and Science, as well as a set of activities in which the Government and the Ministry strive to support the work and development of the University of Sarajevo.
Mr. Elvedin Okerić, chairman of the Sarajevo Canton Assembly, emphasized: “Today, after so many years and despite countless challenges, the Sarajevo Canton, as the founder of this umbrella educational institution, can be proud of its University, which with its rich and successful tradition, since its foundation, continuously, until today, invests in growth and development - both his own, as well as in the growth and development of the entire society and the state”.
Prof. Dr. Denis Zvizdić, chairman of the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, pointed out that marking the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the University of Sarajevo is a great honor, but also a responsibility.
On this festive occasion, the Sarajevo City Hall hosted an exhibition of photographs from the archives of the Rectorate of the University of Sarajevo: Development of the University of Sarajevo from its foundation to the present day.
The 73rd anniversary of the University will be marked by numerous events within the Ceremonial December Days of the University of Sarajevo: ceremonial promotion of graduates and master's degrees, promotion of UNSA Doctors of Sciences, promotion of professor emeriti, awarding of an honorary doctorate to Dr. Edmund Offermann, awarding of recognition University Ambassador to Ismail Abu al-Bandora, creative art workshop, “Music in Society” symposium, final concert of the music camp for young virtuosos, and awarding of awards for the scientific/artistic work of the academic and scientific research staff of the University of Sarajevo.
