On October 9th, 2024, the International University of Sarajevo (IUS) proudly celebrated its 20th anniversary since the start of education at the institution. The event marked not only this significant milestone but also the opening of the new academic year, with distinguished guests, academicians, and students in attendance.
The Chairman of the IUS Board of Trustees, Prof. Dr. Sevgi Kurtulmuş, opened the ceremony with a warm welcome to the assembled guests. In her remarks, she expressed her honor in leading the institution and shared her excitement at beginning the academic year in the presence of such notable figures, including the Turkish Minister of National Education and a number of Bosnian dignitaries. She emphasized the university’s achievements over the past two decades and its commitment to furthering education in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Among the guests of honor was Prof. Dr. Kemalettin Aydın, Rector of the Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi (University of Health Sciences) in Turkey. Prof. Dr. Aydın expressed his satisfaction with IUS's achievements and the quality of education it provides. He also announced an exciting collaboration between the two universities, revealing that a dual diploma program in health sciences will soon commence, strengthening the academic ties between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Turkey.
Dr. Denis Zvizdić, Deputy Speaker of the BiH House of Representatives, was the first Bosnian official to address the students. He began by offering his condolences to the victims of the recent floods and landslides in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In his speech, he highlighted the noble role of educators and the significance of education, reminding students that the transfer of knowledge is a two-way process that requires understanding and application in real-world careers. He encouraged students to embrace lifelong learning, critical thinking, and morality in the face of technological and societal changes. Dr. Zvizdić ended his speech with a poignant reminder of the power of thoughts, words, and actions in shaping one’s destiny.
Next to speak was Mr. Kemal Ademović, Deputy Speaker of the BiH House of Peoples, who expressed his delight in addressing IUS students at the start of the new academic year. He highlighted the contributions IUS has made to improving the quality of education in Bosnia and emphasized the need for local educational institutions to compete at a high standard to continue raising the bar of excellence.
Mr.Mehmed Pargan, Advisor to the Chairman of the BiH Presidency Dr. Denis Bećirović, reflected on the university's founding, noting its growth as a product of Turkish vision and its solid connections with Bosnian counterparts. He lauded the vision of IUS's founders, who sought to foster ties between the two nations and educate future generations for the challenges ahead.
The keynote speaker at the opening lecture for the new academic year was delivered by Prof. Dr. Yusuf Tekin, Minister of National Education of the Republic of Turkiye. He expressed his honor in being part of this significant event and milestone, commending IUS for its impressive progress. He encouraged the university to continue striving for excellence and producing strong results.
Referencing to Mr. Ademović’s remarks on the current global challenges to democracy, he noted that law and justice have weakened in many parts of the world. He praised IUS for its commitment to educating students on these fundamental principles.
Minister Tekin highlighted that education systems serve a universal purpose by imparting values that help young people contribute to a just society. He drew a parallel between the challenges Bosnia faced 30 years ago and the current situations in Gaza and Lebanon, emphasizing the shared responsibility to work for peace, justice, and a better world. He urged students and faculty to uphold universal values and seek balance in all relationships to build a fairer society. He added that the energy for such efforts must come from education, strong relationships, tolerance, and love.
The ceremony concluded with a special awards segment, where six outstanding students were recognized by Minister Tekin for their academic achievements. The exchange of gifts between dignitaries brought the formal proceedings to a close, symbolizing the deep connections fostered through education and cooperation.
