On Tuesday, April 14, 2026, a delegation from the Municipality of Ilidža paid an official visit to the Rectorate of the International University of Sarajevo (IUS). The delegation included Mr. Almir Kolenda, Assistant Mayor for Economy and Economic Development; Ms. Aida Godinjak, Expert Advisor for Economic Development and Cooperation with the Diaspora; and Ms. Indira Sitnić, Senior Associate for Tourism. The guests were warmly welcomed by the IUS Rector, Prof. Dr. Ali Osman Kuşakcı, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tarik Namas, Vice-Rector for Academic Activities and Students’ Affairs.
The meeting focused on strengthening institutional cooperation across several areas of mutual interest. During the discussions, both sides explored a range of potential collaborative initiatives, with particular emphasis on cooperation involving the Visual Arts and Visual Communications Design (VACD) study program at IUS. Special attention was given to the possibility of developing promotional videos and multimedia content for the Municipality’s Tourism Department, with the aim of further enhancing the visibility and branding of Ilidža as an attractive tourist destination.
In addition, the municipal delegation expressed strong interest in facilitating closer connections between entrepreneurs and businesspeople from Ilidža and their counterparts in Türkiye, highlighting the importance of building international economic partnerships. Within this broader context, possible collaboration with the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce was also discussed, with the goal of developing joint initiatives that could bring long-term value to both communities.
As part of the meeting, the Rector of IUS extended an invitation to the Municipality of Ilidža to support and sponsor students from the municipality in participating in the University’s Artificial Intelligence Summer School. This initiative was recognized as a meaningful opportunity to invest in youth education and equip young people with future-oriented knowledge and skills.
The representatives of the Municipality also underscored the importance of inclusive education, training opportunities, and the promotion of accessibility and employment for persons with disabilities. They acknowledged the efforts already undertaken by IUS in this area and expressed interest in further advancing these practices through joint projects and cooperation.
The meeting concluded in a highly positive and constructive atmosphere, with both sides expressing satisfaction with the outcomes of the discussions. Concrete directions for future cooperation were outlined, and key contacts were established to support the effective implementation of the initiatives discussed.
