Academician Kurjak leaves B&H Academy of Sciences and Arts: Half of members lack quality scientific work

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Academician Asim Kurjak has left the Bosniak Academy of Sciences and Arts (B&H ASA).

Kurjak decided to take this step, as stated in his letter to the Presidency of B&H ASA, because he believes that "B&H ASA is at a crossroads after the death of its president Muhamed Filipović".

"If it wants to maintain the prestige of the title of Academy, it must respect the internationally accepted criteria for scientific evaluation, introduced by Plato and affirmed by numerous reputable academies worldwide," Kurjak stated in the letter.

"Upon reviewing the internationally recognized databases Scopus and Google Scholar today, I found data that I am submitting to you, which clearly shows the very disappointing state of B&H ASA's international scientific productivity. Out of 26 members, 13 (i.e., 50%) have not published a single paper that the objective international scientific community would accept and cite. This directly means that we are not recognized even within our own people and country, let alone worldwide," stated the now former member of B&H ASA.

"It is an undeniable fact that the best scientific minds of Bosnia and Herzegovina are outside of B&H ASA, and that B&H ASA, with its current composition, does not inspire confidence in its own Bosniak people, nor in scientific and academic circles, and certainly not in the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina. For this reason, they have been refusing co-financing for years, and when they do grant some small donation, there is a visible lack of transparency in the spending of those funds," stated academician Kurjak.