University of Sarajevo Honorary doctorate conferring, Ambassador of the University and professors emeriti of the University of Sarajevo promoted

The ceremonial promotion of conferring an honorary doctor of the University of Sarajevo, the promotion of the University Ambassador and the promotion of the professor emeritus of the University of Sarajevo are ceremonies organized by the University of Sarajevo on the occasion of its 73^rd anniversary as part of the University's December Days ceremony was held on 19 December 2022, in UNSA Ceremonial Hall.

With welcoming words, the rector of the University of Sarajevo, Prof. Dr. Rifat Škrijelj emphasized that this ceremony and three very significant promotions confirm the efforts of the academic community to continue acting in the direction of creating key assumptions for the further development and progress of the University of Sarajevo.

“As today's ceremony is part of the celebration of the anniversary of the University, I want to remind you that 73 years ago, when it was founded, the University of Sarajevo was the first university in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is the alma mater of all public universities in Bosnia and Herzegovina and is the largest and most important university in our country. The year we are concluding is marked by ceremonies, but also by serious strides, especially regarding the development of capital infrastructure, where we are expected to sign a contract on the construction of the University Library, as well as the final determination of the master plan of the University Campus. Ahead of us is a very significant period in the development of the University, and I am very happy that we will join forces in this action with exceptional personalities to whom today's ceremony is dedicated,” said Rector Škrijelj.

The honorary doctorate of the University of Sarajevo (gradus doctoris honoris causa) was conferred to Dr. Edmond Offermann, doctor of physical sciences in the field of experimental nuclear physics, for his exceptional contribution to the development of science, social and public life, as well as the affirmation of the University of Sarajevo and the expansion of its reputation at the domestic and international level.

Rector Škrijelj expressed his satisfaction that the candidate for the honorary doctorate of the University of Sarajevo is the respected Dr. Edmond Offerman, devoted and committed friend of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the University of Sarajevo.

“Dr. Offerman makes a strategic contribution to the development of science, promotion and internationalization of the University of Sarajevo, and with his support he encourages the University of Sarajevo to rethink the approach to scientific research activities. By awarding this highest award, Dr. Offerman enters the fold of our academic community, we are symbolically reciprocating his exceptional contribution,” emphasized Rector Škrijelj.

Report on the candidate Dr. Offermann was submitted by Prof. Dr. Nusret Drešković, Dean of the Faculty of Natural Science and Mathematics, University of Sarajevo, highlighting his contribution to the development of social and public life in the Canton of Sarajevo, and his significant contribution to the development of science at the University of Sarajevo.

“He donated multimillion-dollar funds for the complete renovation of all rooms, the purchase of capital research equipment and the modernization of the entire teaching infrastructure at the Department of Physics of the University of Sarajevo - Faculty of Natural Science and Mathematics,” said Dean Drešković, adding that Dr. Offermann, the initiator and main financier of the project to establish the Sarajevo Ion Accelerator at the University of Sarajevo.

“In order to prepare the scientific research staff for the effective implementation of this project, Dr. Edmond Offermann financially supports the training of employees and students of the Department of Physics of the Faculty of Science at CERN and other renowned scientific research centers”, stated Dean Drešković, and reminded that Dr. Edmond Offermann, one of the initiators of the signing of the Cooperation Agreement between CERN and the University of Sarajevo, which was signed in 2020.

At the 52^nd regular session held on 30 November 2022, the University of Sarajevo Senate passed the Decision on the awarding of an honorary doctorate (Gradus Doctoris honoris causa) of the University of Sarajevo to Dr. To Edmond Offermann.

Prof. Dr. Rifat Škrijelj, UNSA Rector, presented this high award to Dr. Edmond Offerman with the words: “Into the Golden Book of the University of Sarajevo, in addition to honorary doctors including: Nobel laureates Ivo Andrić and Vladimir Prelog, academician Meša Selimović, fighter for human rights and democracy Simon Wiesenthal, officials of the Republic of Turkey and Malaysia Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Mahathir bin Mohamad, Oscar winner Danis Tanović and others, today we also write the name of Dr. Edmond Offerman.

Dr. Edmond Offerman stated that, looking at the list of previous nominees for this honorary title, he is honored and grateful for this award.

“I want to pay tribute to all the scientists who made the decision to stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina despite many and very challenging situations. You are the ones who will push this country forward, hopefully, along with politicians who would help avoiding obstacles easier. I will quote Dr. Fauci from his recent NY Times speech: “Remarkable things happen when science and politics work hand in hand,” said Dr. Offermann.

The second part of the ceremony was dedicated to the promotion of Mr. Ismail Abu al-Bandora as the Ambassador of the University of Sarajevo, expressing his gratitude for his exceptional contribution to the affirmation of Bosnian culture and literature in the Arabic language. This exceptional contribution, as Rector Škrijelj stated, is reflected in decades work on translating the works of our writers and authors into Arabic.

“Proud of Sarajevo, which we often say unites the West and the East, we can also be proud of the University of Sarajevo, which symbolically confirms this connection, which is reflected in the fact that today we give recognition and gratitude to exceptional personalities from these two civilizational environments, one for the field of science , and the other in the field of culture, which unites the love for Sarajevo and Bosnia and Herzegovina”, stressed Rector Škrijelj.

Academician Prof. Dr. Esad Duraković introduced the candidate Mr. Ismail Abu al-Bandora, pointing out that he has long been the most productive translator and promoter of our literature in the Arabic language, which is spoken today by 470 million people. “Abu al-Bandora translated into Arabic the works of a number of our authors: Selimović, Andrić, Sijarić, Ključanin, Karahasan and others, he made an anthology of our poetry, he also translated some scientific works of our authors, etc. In Jordan, he also received awards for his translations, even from the Jordanian Academy of Sciences for the best translation, which represents the most valid certification of the quality of his work”, said Academician Duraković, and added that at today's ceremony, the University of Sarajevo, apart from professors emeritus, also recognizes one to a meritorious professor from the West and a literary and artistic translator from the heart of the Middle East. “Bosnia has always been a place of fruitful meeting between the East and the West,” stressed Academician Duraković.

The University of Sarajevo Senate, at the 52^nd regular session of 30 November 2022, passed a Decision awarding Mr. Ismail Abu al-Bandora the university recognition Ambassador of the University for his outstanding contribution to the affirmation of Bosnian culture and literature in the Arabic language.

“I came to your honorable University, which already has a significant tradition, to express to you the deepest respect with the most sincere greetings and gratitude for awarding me this high award Ambassador of the University, an award that I consider a distinct honor, for me and for my country Jordan, which highly appreciates the award of this exceptional recognition”, Mr. Ismail Abu al-Bandora emphasized, and added: “I hope I have fulfilled my mission by building a modest bridge between your culture and our Arab culture, between your and our literature”.

The third part of today's ceremony was dedicated to the promotion of ten professors emeriti who have invested their academic careers and their working lives in the development of faculties and academies and the University as a whole. “In addition to educating generations of young people and producing numerous experts, these professors achieved a significant scientific or artistic oeuvre and left a lasting mark on the history of the University's development. In this way, the Senate of the University recognizes them and they continue to be part of the academic community and contribute to the reputation of the University, its development and improvement with their rich experience”, emphasized Rector Škrijelj.

The honorary title of professor emeritus is awarded to retired full professors of the University of Sarajevo who, over a long period of time, have continuously contributed to the improvement and development of scientific and artistic research work, the development and progress of the University and its faculties/academies, and the teaching process at the University, and have gained an international reputation.

University of Sarajevo Rector, Prof. Dr. Rifat Škrijelj promoted the following professors into UNSA professors emeriti:

• Academician Dr. Mirsada Hukić, full member of the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Bosnia and Herzegovina and retired full professor of the Faculty of Health Studies, University of Sarajevo,
• Prof. Dr. Muharem Avdispahić, former rector of the University of Sarajevo and retired full professor of the Faculty of Science and Mathematics of the University of Sarajevo,
• Prof. Dr. Mehmed Akšamija, retired full professor of the Academy of Fine Arts, University of Sarajevo,
• Prof. Dr. Sead Kreso, retired full professor of the Faculty of Economics, University of Sarajevo,
• Prof. Dr. Dželal Ibraković, retired full professor of the Faculty of Political Sciences of the University of Sarajevo,
• Prof. Dr. Srebren Dizdar, retired full professor of the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Sarajevo,
• Prof. Dr. Zoran Milašinović, retired full professor of the Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Sarajevo,
• Prof. Dr. Hajrija Sijerčić-Čolić, retired full professor of the Faculty of Law, University of Sarajevo,
• Prof. Dr. Enes Durmišević, retired full professor of the Faculty of Law, University of Sarajevo
• Prof. Dr. Emira Kahrović, retired full professor of the Faculty of Science and Mathematics, University of Sarajevo.

On behalf of the promoted emeritus professors, Dr. Hajrija Sijerčić-Čolić, professor emeritus of the University of Sarajevo addressed the attendees.

The ceremony was completed with a musical performance by the Chamber Ensemble of the University of Sarajevo Music Academy, and a performance by Idna Muminović, a student of the University of Sarajevo Music Academy in the class of Professor Adema Pljevljak, with piano accompaniment by Professor Milan Lucić.