The International University of Sarajevo (IUS) officially marked the beginning of the 2025/2026 academic year with a grand opening ceremony held on Tuesday, October 7, 2025. The event brought together distinguished guests, members of the academic community, and students to celebrate the start of a new academic chapter.
Among the honored attendees were Deputy Speaker of the BiH House of Representatives Dr. Denis Zvizdić, H. E. Emin Akseki, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to BiH, Prof. Dr. Sevgi Kurtulmuş, President of the IUS Board of Trustees, Mr. Hasan Topaloğlu, President of the Foundation for Education Development Sarajevo (SEDEF), Prof. Dr. Kemalettin Aydın, Rector of the University of Health Sciences (SBÜ) in Türkiye, and Prof. Dr. Ismet Gavrankapetanović, Director of General Hospital “Prim. Dr. Abdulah Nakaš” as well as members of the academic community, distinguished guests, and students. The ceremony reflected both celebration and reflection, marking a key milestone in the University’s development.
Historic Milestone: Launch of Medical and Dental Studies
In his opening address, Prof. Dr. Ali Osman Kuşakcı, Rector of IUS, extended a warm welcome to all guests, faculty, and students - especially the first generation of students in the joint double-diploma programs in Medicine and Dental Medicine, developed in partnership with SBÜ. He emphasized that this marks a historic achievement for IUS and a new era in medical education in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Rector Kuşakcı reaffirmed IUS’s commitment to academic excellence and internationalization, highlighting the ongoing accreditation processes in Türkiye and worldwide, the construction of a new faculty building, and the establishment of a state-of-the-art Anatomy Laboratory supported by TIKA. Looking ahead, he outlined IUS’s strategic focus on integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into teaching, adapting curricula to market needs, and strengthening university–industry collaboration. He also took a moment to remind students of their moral duty to remain conscious of global injustices, particularly the ongoing atrocities in Gaza.
In addition, he mentioned that IUS Assistant Muhammed Huzeyfe Küçükaytekin from the Faculty of Law (FLW) took part in the “Somud” Flotilla and was among the brave crew members whose ship successfully breached the blockade of Gaza. The audience also watched a video message that Mr. Küçükaytekin recorded for the occasion of the academic year opening and sent while still en route to Gaza.
Strengthening Academic Partnerships
Speaking on behalf of IUS’s partner institutions, Prof. Dr. Kemalettin Aydın, Rector of SBÜ, reaffirmed the strong academic cooperation between the two universities and presented SBÜ’s extensive network of hospitals and health institutions available to IUS students. He expressed full confidence in the high-quality education that both institutions will jointly provide and concluded by echoing the call not to forget the people of Gaza.
Education as the Strongest Foundation for Change
In his address, Dr. Denis Zvizdić, Deputy Speaker of the BiH House of Representatives, described education as the most powerful force for personal and societal transformation. He emphasized the importance of pairing knowledge with moral integrity, calling on students to pursue lifelong learning and contribute to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s progress. Reflecting on global instability, he encouraged students to remain resilient and socially responsible in a world marked by geopolitical, economic, and humanitarian challenges.
Keynote Lecture: “Disorder of Discourse: AI in the Kaleidoscope”
The highlight of the ceremony was the keynote lecture by Prof. Dr. Enes Eryarsoy from Sabancı University, Türkiye. In his lecture, “Disorder of Discourse: AI in the Kaleidoscope,” Prof. Eryarsoy examined the complex relationship between artificial intelligence and human communication, tracing the historical evolution of human thought toward AI. He discussed both the benefits and ethical challenges of emerging technologies, emphasizing the need for responsible and conscious use of AI.
At the end of the lecture, Prof. Dr. Sevgi Kurtulmuş, President of the IUS Board of Trustees, presented a symbolic gift of appreciation to the keynote speaker.
Welcoming the First Generation of Future Doctors
A particularly emotional moment of the ceremony was the Medical Robe and Uniform Ceremony, during which each student of the newly established Faculty of Medical Sciences (FMS) was called to the stage to receive their white coat or uniform—symbolizing the start of their medical journey at IUS.
The event concluded with the official opening of the IUS Anatomy Laboratory, inaugurated by a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by VIP guests, including the Mayor of Ilidža Municipality, Mr. Nermin Muzur. The dignitaries toured the new lab, which will play a central role in supporting hands-on learning and research for medical students.
