At the International University of Sarajevo ( IUS ) a Center for Leadership and Entrepreneurship (LEC) was officially opened on Monday, February 24th,2014. The Center for Leadership and Entrepreneurship (LEC) is one in a series of successful projects of IUS and it serves as evidence that investment in growth and development of this higher education institution is continued.
Many distinguished guests from the economic and social life in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Turkey and abroad, as well as representatives of the diplomatic corps in BiH came to the opening ceremony of the Center. The audience was addressed by Asst. Prof. Dr. Senad Bušatlić, Coordinator of the Center for Leadership and Entrepreneurship (LEC), Prof. Dr. Yücel Oğurlu, Rector of the International University of Sarajevo, Mr. Amer Bukvić Director of the Bosna Bank International (BBI), and Mr. Hasan Topaloğlu, the President of the Foundation for Education Development Sarajevo.
The audience were also honored by the presence of the distinguished guest from Milan, a successful economist and Founder and Managing Director of ASSAIF Dr. Alberto Brugnoni.
In his welcoming speech, the Coordinator of the Center for Leadership and Entrepreneurship (LEC), Asst. Prof. Dr. Senad Bušatlić emphasized that this Center is dedicated to innovative research, education and dialogue within and outside the IUS community. Dr. Bušatlić stressed that in today's time, a time of rapid change and globalization, the way we think about leadership is more important than ever and that the present leadership must come from every level of the organization or any part of the corporate network.
Rector Oğurlu referred in his speech about the current economic and political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina stressing that it is particularly alarming the high rate of unemployment among young people who for this reason want leave BiH and seek for jobs in western countries.
Rector Oğurlu noted that the Center for Leadership and Entrepreneurship (LEC) is to be put in service of talented young people who will have the opportunity to present their innovative ideas, meet new business partners, learn and share knowledge and experiences and to hear the different experiences of many successful people from the region and the world . " I am convinced that the Center for Leadership and Entrepreneurship (LEC) at IUS through its creative programs will create future leaders, and certainly contribute to the development of the BiH society and the region as well."
About the benefits which the Centre and IUS bring to BiH society spoke the director of the BBI Bank, Mr. Amer Bukvić , who took the opportunity to thank the management of IUS and the Foundation for Education Development Sarajevo presided by Mr. Hasan Topaloğlu for implementation of the project for establishment of the International University of Sarajevo. Per his opinion it is very important to mention that this University is considered as the largest educational investment in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the postwar period. Mr. Bukvić also reminded that a large number of intellectuals left the country during and after the war, and that BiH needs now new young and skilled workforce to run the economy. Bukvić talked about the crisis in BiH society, demographic consequences of the war, brain drain process and stressed that the current political- economic system in the country is even more difficult for young people in order to realize any kind of entrepreneurial projects. The director of BBI bank encouraged all young people, regardless of the current crisis to take action and take risks. " The risk is the key to success " advised Director Bukvić in his very inspirational speech to all present students of the International University of Sarajevo ".
The audience has welcomed the honorable invited guest Dr. Alberto Brugnoni, an international consultant and specialists in Islamic banking and ethics, as well as founder and Managing Director of ASSAIF, an organization that deals with counseling in Islamic banking.
Dr. Brugnoni focused in his presentation on innovativeness and entrepreneurship seen from the Islamic perspective and on this occasion said that Islam strongly recommends entrepreneurship: " Do it yourself and do not wait a second for anyone else to do it for you ! " was the message Dr. Brugnoni passed in his interesting and coherent speech to the audience at IUS .
In his address, the President of the Foundation for Education Development Sarajevo Mr. Hasan Topaloğlu emphasized the importance of the Centre to IUS, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region. The center will offer their projects and service work on the affirmation of the business and economic development in the region . " We need honest and educated leaders who will use their entrepreneurial skills and knowledge in the field of economy built on trust. I hope and believe that this center will greatly contribute to the education of such people in BiH", said Topaloğlu.
After the opening ceremony of the Center for Leadership and Entrepreneurship (LEC) present guests continued their talks during cocktail in a friendly atmosphere.
