Solemn Academy Marks 20 Years of the Faculty of Administration – An Associate Member of the University of Sarajevo

A solemn academy marking the 20th anniversary of the establishment and successful operation of the Faculty of Administration – an associate member of the University of Sarajevo – was held today in the Ceremonial Hall of the University of Sarajevo.

The significance of the Faculty of Administration within the academic community of Bosnia and Herzegovina was emphasized, as well as its role in educating professional staff and contributing to the development of a professional, responsible, and efficient public administration in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Addressing the ceremony were the Prime Minister of the Sarajevo Canton, Mr. Nihad Uk; University of Sarajevo Rector, Prof. Dr. Tarik Zaimović; and the Dean of the Faculty of Administration, Prof. Dr. Emir Tahirović.

Congratulating on the jubilee, Prime Minister Uk stressed that the partnership between the Government of the Sarajevo Canton and the academic community is crucial for building efficient and transparent institutions.

"The Faculty of Administration is a vital link in the educational system of the Sarajevo Canton and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Unfortunately, it is not yet a full member, and I wish for it to become one in the coming period, as it is needed by the administrative apparatus of BiH, especially at a time when our country faces administrative reforms in preparation for European Union accession. The knowledge and expertise that young people acquire at this faculty directly improve the work of the public sector. Our goal is institutions oriented toward citizens, and the University of Sarajevo and its members play an irreplaceable role in this process," stated Prime Minister Uk.

Rector Zaimović highlighted that over the past two decades, the Faculty of Administration has secured a significant place within the academic community of the University of Sarajevo, addressing one of the key issues for every modern European state – the quality of work of public administration bodies and the capacity of institutions to act in the interest of citizens. He emphasized that an efficient, professional, impartial, transparent, and responsible public administration represents the foundation of our overall relationship with the state.

"For the University of Sarajevo, the Faculty of Administration is an important member in fulfilling our overall social mission. It is our shared responsibility to ensure that knowledge does not remain confined to the classroom, but is instead embedded in regulations, public policies, administrative procedures, and a culture of responsibility. Together, we must create public administration bodies that are closer to citizens, more open to change, more capable of planning, and more decisive in protecting the public interest," said Rector Zaimović.

Dean Tahirović emphasized that the Faculty has justified its existence and that this jubilee also marks 20 years of the idea that Bosnia and Herzegovina must have a modern, professional, and expert public administration. He recalled that the first competition for student enrollment was announced in 2006, and in 2009, the Sarajevo Canton Assembly approved the Faculty's status as an associate member of the University of Sarajevo.

Dean Tahirović particularly stressed the importance of the 2014 Regulation by the Government of the Federation of BiH for the affirmation of the administrative profession as the professional basis for performing jobs in public administration. He highlighted that the Faculty of Administration was founded with the aim of contributing to the development of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and that its first and most important results are people – students, alumni, and teachers. Therefore, as he stated, this jubilee belongs to all generations who have been part of this institution over the past 20 years.
Speaking about the founding of the Faculty, Dean Tahirović recalled that the idea was not accidental, as the need for professional advancement in the field of public administration became apparent after the aggression. There was a clear social justification for establishing such an institution, which the Faculty has confirmed through its work over the past two decades.

During the solemn academy, gratitude plaques were awarded, a film was screened  about the Faculty  and its development, achieved results, and international cooperation were presented."