Ali Osman Kuşakcı is the new Rector of the International University of Sarajevo

(Patria) - The International University of Sarajevo (IUS) has a new rector after the second term of Prof. Dr. Ahmet Yıldırım.

At a formal handover ceremony, attended by numerous members of the academic community, administrative staff, and guests, the outgoing rector handed over the leadership position of the University to Prof. Dr. Ali Osman Kuşakcı.



Among the guests were the President of the Foundation for Development of Education Sarajevo (SEDEF), Hasan Topaloğlu, and the Education Advisor at the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in BiH, Faruk Berat Akçeşme.

In his address, the President of SEDEF emphasized that this is the first change at the helm of IUS after many years, and expressed his belief that new energy will contribute to the further development of the University.

He particularly thanked Prof. Dr. Yıldırım, who led the University for nearly eight years, leaving, as he stressed, a significant and deep mark on its history.

He added that the new rector knows both the University and Bosnia and Herzegovina very well, as he previously worked at IUS for seven years and had the opportunity to familiarize himself with the work of IUS and the opportunities in our country.

Prof. Dr. Yıldırım also gave an emotional address, describing IUS as a "big family" and expressing hope that he will be remembered for good. He also conveyed his congratulations with a message of support to the new rector.



Upon taking office, Prof. Dr. Kuşakcı emphasized that it would be an exceptional honor for him to lead IUS – an institution that, as he said, has grown into a dynamic and internationally recognized center of knowledge and innovation.

He highlighted strengthening international cooperation, opening new master's and doctoral programs, and enhancing the university's scientific contribution as his priorities.

- I am grateful to the previous rector for the solid foundation he laid. Now we are ready to build further - he stated.



Biography

Prof. Dr. Ali Osman Kuşakcı graduated in Industrial Engineering from the Vienna University of Technology in 2006, where he also completed his Master's degree in Financial Engineering.

He obtained his PhD in 2013 from IUS with a thesis in the field of optimization. During his work at IUS, he held positions as a researcher, professor, and director of the Center for Research and Development, and participated in projects supported by the Islamic Development Bank.

After that, he continued his academic career at Istanbul Ticaret University and Ibn Haldun University, where he held a number of teaching and management positions, particularly in the fields of aviation management, business analytics, and sustainable development.