Researcher from the University of Zurich criticizes Minister Dilberović: The state must reward the best

Admir Greljo, a native of Trebinje who is conducting his postdoctoral studies in the field of theoretical particle physics at the Institute of Physics of the University of Zurich, addressed Elvira Dilberović, Minister of Education of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, regarding the discrimination committed against students who attended or attend Bosna Sema schools.

Greljo is one of the few scientists from Bosnia and Herzegovina who has access to the world's largest particle accelerator.

- I am Admir Greljo, a postdoctoral researcher (physicist) at the University of Zurich and an assistant professor at the Department of Physics of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics of the University of Sarajevo, with eighteen published scientific papers in prestigious world journals cited over seven hundred times.

I am writing regarding the awarding of prizes for the best students in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, because I believe that great harm has been done to medal winners from the World Olympiads in mathematics and physics.

As a former competitor and winner of a silver medal at the World Physics Olympiad in 2008, I feel the need to address you publicly. The World Physics Olympiad is the most prestigious competition for young physicists, with over ninety participating countries and about four hundred of the greatest young talents from around the world.

A medal from this competition has exceptional value, opens the doors of the world's most prestigious universities, and represents a springboard for a scientific career. Interestingly, for example, a gold medal winner in Iran is exempted from military service.

Dear Minister, I know how much work and sweat a world medal in physics is worth.

It involves years of daily solving of complex computational problems. I believe that the state, in whose name the medal was won, should celebrate, not punish such success. Also, the state should reward the best of the best. On this occasion, it is worth highlighting the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, which for years has been employing its best students, mostly former competitors.

Honorable Minister, I ask myself, what kind of message are you sending to young scientists by avoiding rewarding a medal from the World Olympiad? – states Greljo's letter.