Agreement on the development of the research infrastructure of the University of Sarajevo worth 2.46 million BAM signed
The Minister of Science, Higher Education and Youth of the Sarajevo Canton, Prof. Dr. Dušanka Bošković, and the Rector of the University of Sarajevo, Prof. Dr. Tarik Zaimović, together with the deans of ten faculties and academies, signed today the Agreement on the implementation of funds for the development of institutional and research infrastructure. This is a reallocation of budget funds in the total amount of 2,459,374 BAM intended for the improvement of the teaching, scientific research and artistic capacities of the University of Sarajevo.
The funds have been distributed to ten members of the University, including the Academy of Performing Arts, the Faculty of Architecture, the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, the Faculty of Transport and Communications, the Faculty of Health Studies, the Faculty of Pharmacy, the Faculty of Philosophy, the Faculty of Civil Engineering, the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Science and Mathematics. The projects include the procurement of cutting-edge scientific equipment – from a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) system and a Q-ToF spectrometer for metabolomics, to a densitometer for bone density analysis, equipping a vivarium, establishing a Virtual Heritage Lab, modernizing the infrastructure for processing geospatial data, and improving the air traffic laboratory.
On the occasion of the signing of the Agreement, the Prime Minister of Sarajevo Canton Nihad Uk emphasized that such investments represent the foundation of the development of society. “Without modern equipment, there is no cutting-edge science, without cutting-edge science there is no development, and without development – there is no future,” said Prime Minister Uk.
“Today’s signing of the Agreement is a message to young people, teachers and researchers that they have the support of their local community. Investing in education and science is the smartest investment a state can make. Every mark spent on modern laboratory equipment, digitalization of cultural heritage or improvement of teaching conditions returns many times over – through better educated staff, greater competitiveness of the economy and, most importantly, the retention of young people in our country. That is why the Government of Sarajevo Canton will continue to strongly support the University of Sarajevo and all higher education institutions that want to raise the level of research and teaching infrastructure”.
The Ministry of Science, Higher Education and Youth, as the bearer of this budget reallocation, sees the Agreement as a strategic step in improving higher education.
Minister Prof. Dr. Dušanka Bošković emphasized that these funds are not only addressing current shortcomings, but are also building a foundation for the future. “These investments represent a concrete step towards achieving the strategic goals of Sarajevo Canton in the field of higher education and science”, stated Minister Bošković.
“By modernizing the infrastructure and purchasing modern equipment, we are creating conditions for top-notch research, better quality of teaching and strengthening the international recognition of our university.”
From the perspective of the academic community, this Agreement brings a long-awaited change, working conditions that follow European standards. The Rector of the University of Sarajevo, Prof. Dr. Tarik Zaimović, emphasized that the signing of the Agreement represents an important step forward in the development of the University’s research capacities.
“With this program of investments in scientific and research infrastructure, we are truly creating a bright future for our children at the University of Sarajevo. This is the beginning of a process that will bring our research capacities closer to European standards. We are especially grateful to the Government of the Sarajevo Canton and the Ministry for their continued support for the development of institutional and research infrastructure,” emphasized Rector Zaimović.
He recalled the strategic project Open Research Network (ORN) – Open Research Network of the University of Sarajevo, emphasizing that it represents one of the key development initiatives of the University of Sarajevo aimed at strengthening joint scientific and research infrastructure, improving open science, developing mechanisms for technology transfer and stronger connections between the academic community, the economy and the public sector. "The University of Sarajevo recognizes Open Research and Open Science as important directions of its development and is actively working on their implementation through the Open Research Policy and other strategic documents, while the ORN project represents one of the key instruments for achieving these goals," he emphasized.
The investments of the Cantonal Government in the amount of 2.5 million BAM aimed at improving the equipment and research capacities of the ten members of the University in the first financing cycle are part of the multi-year program for the development of the institutional and research infrastructure of the University of Sarajevo, through which the Government of the Canton of Sarajevo provides support to the strategic commitment of the University for the development of Open Research, Open Science and modern research infrastructure.
The implementation of the Agreement will contribute to increasing the competitiveness of the University of Sarajevo, more active participation in international projects and long-term sustainable development of academic communities of importance for the social and economic progress of the Sarajevo Canton.
