International Day of Women and Girls in Science | Award for Outstanding Achievements of Women in Science awarded to Dr. sci. Emina Dervišević

On the occasion of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, Dr. sci. Emina Dervišević was awarded the Award for Outstanding Achievements of Women in Science at the University of Sarajevo. The award is awarded in accordance with the Regulations on Awarding Academic and Scientific Research Staff of the University of Sarajevo based on the results of scientific/artistic work.

Every year, the University of Sarajevo awards the Award for Outstanding Achievements of Women in Science to the best-placed woman on the list of winners of annual awards for scientific/artistic contribution. This award is awarded on the International Day of Women and Girls in Science,   celebrated on 11 February.

The award was presented to Dr. sci. Emina Dervišević by the Rector of the University of Sarajevo, Prof. Dr. Tarik Zaimović, with Prof. Dr. Maja Arslanagić-Kalajdžić, Director of the University's Center for Research and Development, and M.Sc. Nina Begović, Head of the University's Scientific Research Service.

The University of Sarajevo Rector, Prof. Dr. Tarik Zaimović, emphasized that investments in scientific research and artistic research are of key importance for the long-term development of society, and that strategic targeting of resources towards strengthening science and art is necessary in order to respond to contemporary global challenges. The University of Sarajevo plays a central role in the implementation of scientific, research and artistic activities in BiH, he emphasized in the interview, and emphasized that the University continuously invests efforts to strengthen the academic community, especially young researchers, by creating an encouraging and stimulating environment for research activities. According to him, clearly set criteria and high standards for awards represent a strong motivation for achieving excellent results, their international visibility and publication in relevant scientific journals, thus contributing to the development of the academic community and wider society, as well as the promotion of the University of Sarajevo and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Dr. sci. Emina Dervišević, senior assistant at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo, in the 2024 cycle of scientific paper evaluation, in accordance with the Rules on Awarding of the University of Sarajevo, achieved 17.53 points for scientific papers published in journals indexed in the scientific database Web of Science, thus positioning herself as the most successful scientist among 168 awarded researchers, who were awarded awards for scientific and artistic contribution in 2024, in accordance with the Rules on Awarding.

“For me, this award represents a confirmation of the continuity of work and long-term commitment to science. I am particularly pleased that it was awarded on the occasion of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, which has been celebrated since 2015. I consider it extremely important that women in science support each other and that research work develops continuously, regardless of whether it has been awarded in the current cycle. I am glad that the University of Sarajevo, as my home institution, recognizes the importance of gender equality and the role of women in scientific research work. Although my primary field is forensic medicine, my research is interdisciplinary and connected to biomedicine and health through international cooperation. I would especially like to emphasize the importance of domestic and international projects, as well as the support of the competent institutions - the Federal Ministry of Education and Science and the Ministry of Science, Higher Education and Youth of the Sarajevo Canton - through which quality research work and the realization of the set scientific goals are enabled,” emphasized Dr. sci. Emina Dervišević.

In 2015, the General Assembly of the United Nations declared February 11 as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, with the aim of achieving full and equal access to science and participation in scientific processes, and contributing to ensuring gender equality and empowering women and girls. In accordance with the European strategic documents, which also promote the vital importance of women's participation in research, the University of Sarajevo, on the initiative of the Council for Science and Art, has started the practice of awarding the Prize for Outstanding Achievements of Women in Science through the Rules on Awards.