Welcome Reception | Conference "Preparing Universities of the Future: (Re)building Inclusive and Sustainable Campuses"

The welcome reception for the guests and participants of the two-day conference "Preparing the universities of the future: (Re)building inclusive and sustainable campuses" was held today in Sarajevo City Hall.

Prof. Ph.D. Enita Nakaš, vice-rector for international cooperation of the University of Sarajevo, said that this conference is an event that will reassemble the paths of the university and society, that is, the city. "Every time we talk about the university, about education, we rely on social responsibility, but when we look at the real situation, it seems the paths diverge. That's why this is an attempt, that is, I am sure, a great success, in which the green areas between the roads will be the link between society, our city, the university and education," Vice-Rector Nakaš pointed out.

Mayor of Sarajevo Dr Benjamina Karić, described the conference as an event celebrating knowledge, education and science. "It is an invaluable experience to participate in such projects that push the boundaries and set new standards. "Knowledge has always been important, but never more important than today in the global world when we need to respond adequately to the numerous challenges we are increasingly facing," said Mayor Karić. She also emphasized that the role of the University of Sarajevo as the host of this important event confirms its proactive international and inter-university cooperation.

The welcome reception was magnified by the sevdalinka performer Azra Pondro, who performed a flat sevdalinka with a pan-turning, then Laura Kozlinger, a student of the Music Academy of the University of Sarajevo, with the piano accompaniment of Milan Lucić, performed two Bosnian Sephardic romances Durma, durma and Adios Querida arranged by Emil Cosetto and violinists Tamara Arsovska and Alma Dizdar, assistants at the Department of String Instruments of the UNSA Academy of Music, who performed Duet No. 1 and No. 8 for two violins, opus 49, by composer Reinhold Glière.

Universities are faced with significant transformations to respond to today's challenges, including the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, the climate crisis, virtual and physical engagement, and the growing demand for collaboration with the civil sector. The concept and design of sustainable university campuses have an additional incentive to implement the principle of inclusivity, community, well-being, flexibility and connectivity.

In order to initiate a constructive conversation on this topic, UNICA - Network of Universities from the Capitals of Europe, together with the University of Sarajevo, is organizing the event "Preparing the universities of the future: (Re)building inclusive and sustainable campuses" on April 25 and 26 in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The official opening of the two-day conference will be held on Tuesday, April 25, at 9:30 a.m. in the Rectorate of the University of Sarajevo.

You can download the conference program HERE.

Photos: Vanja Čerimagić