University of Sarajevo Enriched by 61 New Doctors of Science

(Patria) - The ceremonial promotion of doctors of science at the University of Sarajevo was held today at the Sarajevo National Theatre. The Rector of the University of Sarajevo, Prof. Dr. Tarik Zaimović, together with vice-rectors and deans, promoted 61 candidates to the title of Doctor of Science in various scientific fields – from legal and medical to technical and social sciences, testifying to the comprehensiveness and strength of this higher education institution.

The Prime Minister of Sarajevo Canton, Nihad Uk, congratulated the new doctors of science, emphasizing that science in Sarajevo Canton today has stronger support than ever before.

„With pride, I can say that science in Sarajevo Canton today has stronger support than ever. We have invested over 20 million marks in scientific research, yesterday we issued a new public call, and for the first time we are also investing in infrastructure – with 2.5 million marks for laboratories and capacities of the University. We are also finalizing the construction of the University Library, the largest infrastructure project in the academic community in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is a message that we believe in the knowledge that is created right here," stated the Prime Minister.

In an emotional part of his address, the Prime Minister thanked the mentors and families, emphasizing that they, alongside the new doctors, are equally deserving of this success:

"I know that beside you stand mentors who instilled in you faith in knowledge, and families who patiently waited and shared your ups and downs. To them, alongside you, belongs an equally large part of this honor."

Rector Zaimović emphasized that the University is not just a space where knowledge is transferred, but a space where knowledge is created. He told the promoted doctors that their dissertations are not and must not remain documents in libraries, but are rather a trace of their encounter with a problem they had to understand more deeply than the boundaries of literature.

Speaking about today's challenges – from climate change, artificial intelligence and robotics, to wars, migrations and attacks on scientifically grounded truths – the Rector stated:

"In a time of widespread deception, stating a scientific truth becomes a revolutionary act."

The Rector particularly emphasized that the doctoral title does not represent only an academic recognition, but a confirmation of integrity, and that the integrity of a scientist is measured not only by the number of published papers, but by the readiness to defend the truth even when it is uncomfortable.

He gave a special round of applause to families and mentors, emphasizing that they were there in moments of doubt, fatigue and uncertainty, and that a good mentor is one who opens up space for the candidate to find their own voice.

He told the doctors that the University is not a place they leave with a diploma, but their academic home to which they always return – through work, collaboration, projects, students, and every truth they are ready to defend.

On behalf of the promoted doctors, Dr. Anisa Ruhotina, Doctor of Legal Sciences, addressed the audience. She emphasized that the value of the doctoral journey does not rest solely on the dissertation as a final outcome, but on everything they learned and became along that path.

"The true value of the title of Doctor of Science is not found in the letters that stand next to our name, but in the responsibility it carries and the way we will justify it through our work. A doctorate is not a confirmation that our quest is over. On the contrary, it is a confirmation that we have accepted the obligation that it never ceases."

She thanked mentors, professors and families for their immense support, and told her colleagues that today's promotion should be a reminder of the obligation to contribute to the development of the University of Sarajevo, science and society through knowledge, integrity and dedicated work.

Among the 61 promoted doctors, the highest number are from the field of legal sciences (7), followed by technical, pharmaceutical and medical sciences (5 each), health sciences (4), and economic, Islamic, veterinary and interdisciplinary social sciences (3 each).

Doctors were also promoted in political, administrative, literary, psychological, educational, chemical, musical, sociological, security, historical, linguistic, agricultural, biological, mathematical and dental sciences.

The ceremonial promotion concluded with a message from Rector Zaimović to protect their University, because in preserving its strength and autonomy lies their own strength.