University of Sarajevo Promotes 61 Doctors

The ceremonial promotion of Doctorates of the University of Sarajevo was held on Thursday, 18 June 2026, at the Sarajevo National Theatre.

Prof. Dr. Tarik Zaimović, University of Sarajevo Rector, Vice-Rectors of the University of Sarajevo and Deans of Faculties promoted 61 candidates to the honor of Doctor of Science.

Addressing the attendees, the University of Sarajevo Rector, Prof. Dr. Tarik Zaimović, emphasized that today the University is particularly proud to promote 61 doctoral students - holders of the highest academic title of the University of Sarajevo, and symbolically marks the culmination of their exceptional scientific journey, but also the beginning of a new stage in their professional and social activities.

He reminded that the university is not just a classroom or an amphitheater, that the university is not just a library or laboratory, a studio or an institute, emphasizing that the university is first and foremost a community of those who "search for truth".

“The university must be a space in which existing knowledge is critically examined, in which new questions are raised, in which thought is freed from routine, and science is freed from the limits of what seemed safe and final to us until yesterday. And artistic expression must be free without restrictions and norms. That is why today's promotion of doctors of science represents one of the deepest expressions of the very idea of ​​the University”, emphasized Rector Zaimović.

“A doctorate is not and must not be the end of learning. A doctorate is an entry into the space of independent scientific responsibility”, emphasized Rector Zaimović, and told doctoral students that their dissertations are not, and must not remain, documents in university libraries. “They are a trace of your encounter with a problem that you had to understand deeper than the boundaries of literature and more responsibly than simply fulfilling a formal academic requirement. Your dissertations, in their true essence, begin with a question. A question that is not posed for the sake of form, but for the need to understand, explain, investigate, and ultimately interpret something in a new dimension of responsibility. That is why a substantive understanding of doctoral work and research is crucial.”

Speaking about the challenges of contemporary society, Rector Zaimović pointed to climate change, artificial intelligence and robotics, growing polarization, but also the relativization of facts, the collapse of public trust in science and attacks on scientifically based truths, emphasizing that a doctor of science today cannot be just an expert confined to the narrow space of his own discipline, but also a responsible participant in social processes.

"Today's world demands more from you. It demands the ability to connect. It demands interdisciplinary sensitivity. It demands understanding of the consequences of knowledge. It demands ethical responsibility. The willingness to take science beyond the comfort of laboratories, offices, libraries and archives – to go out into a society that needs knowledge more than ever before. Because science that does not understand society can become mute. And a society that does not listen to science becomes dangerously vulnerable. And precisely in a time of widespread deception, telling the scientific truth becomes a revolutionary act," said Rector Zaimović.

He emphasized that a doctoral degree is not only an academic recognition, but also a confirmation of integrity and responsibility, inviting the promoted doctoral students to be carriers of scientific thought and the critical conscience of the community.

At the end of his address, Rector Zaimović said that the University of Sarajevo is not only handing out diplomas to new doctors of science today, but also giving them the trust that they will use knowledge responsibly, the expectation that they will defend science with arguments and the teacher's hope that they will build a better society with their work.

He emphasized that the University is not a place from which one leaves with a diploma, but an academic house to which one returns through work, cooperation, projects, students, public action, and every truth that one is prepared to defend.

"Protect your University - in preserving its strength and autonomy lies your strength," said Rector Zaimović, sending the promoted doctors his most sincere congratulations and wishes for much success, courage, wisdom, but above all academic integrity in everything that lies ahead.

The Prime Minister of the Sarajevo Canton, Nihad Uk, congratulated the doctors, emphasizing that science in the Sarajevo Canton today has stronger support than ever.

"I can proudly say that science in the Sarajevo Canton today has stronger support than ever. We have invested more than 20 million marks in scientific research, yesterday we announced a new public call, and for the first time we are also investing in infrastructure - with 2.5 million marks for laboratories and University capacities. We are also completing the construction of the University Library, the largest infrastructure project in the academic community in BiH. This is a message that we believe in the knowledge that is created right here," the Prime Minister said.

He also emphasized that the newly promoted doctors of science will become ambassadors of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the University of Sarajevo from today, because many of them will, through their scientific works, research, innovation and teaching engagement to get to know the country and its academic potential.

On behalf of the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Academician Prof. Dr. Husnija Kamberović addressed the audience, emphasizing the strong connection and common mission of the Academy and the University of Sarajevo in the development of science, education and society.

He emphasized that the University of Sarajevo is the oldest and most influential university in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and recalled the significant role of its teachers and researchers in the work of the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Speaking about the development of scientific and research capacities, he expressed support for the development projects of the University, including the improvement of research infrastructure, emphasizing that the Academy consistently supports the academic autonomy and development of the University.

Referring to the promotion of new PhDs, Academician Kamberović emphasized that the University of Sarajevo, despite numerous challenges, has preserved the dignity of science, the seriousness of studies and the quality of doctoral programs, expressing confidence that it will continue to foster these values ​​in the future.

Congratulating the promoted doctors, he said that the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Bosnia and Herzegovina expects them to continue their scientific development and contribution to the academic community.

On behalf of the promoted doctors, Doctor of Law Anisa Ruhotina spoke. She emphasized that the value of the doctoral journey does not rest only on the dissertation as the final outcome, but on everything they have learned and become along the way.

"The true value of the title of Doctor of Science is not found in the letters next to our name, but in the responsibility it carries and the way in which we will justify it with our work. A doctorate is not a confirmation that our search is over. On the contrary, it is a confirmation that we have accepted the obligation that it will never stop."

She thanked her mentors, professors and families for their immense support, and told her colleagues to let today's promotion be a reminder of the obligation to contribute to the development of the University of Sarajevo, science and society with knowledge, integrity and dedicated work.

Confirming its role as a carrier of scientific and social development, the University of Sarajevo promoted: 7 candidates for the honorary degree of Doctor of Law, 5 candidates for the honorary degree of Doctor of Technical, Pharmaceutical and Medical Sciences, 4 candidates for the honorary degree of Doctor of Health Sciences, 3 candidates for the honorary degree of Doctor of Economic, Islamic, Veterinary and Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, 2 candidates for the honorary degree of Doctor of Political, Administrative, Literary, Psychological, Educational and Chemical Sciences and Doctor of Music Theory and Pedagogy, and 1 candidate for the honorary degree of Doctor of Sociological, Social, Security, Historical, Linguistic, Agricultural, Biological, Mathematical and Dental Sciences.