Zvizdić congratulates on action against illegal educational institutions and issuance of fake diplomas

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - For any country that wishes well to current and future generations, education is one of the most important segments of development. Only a society that bases the vision of its progress on quality education, innovation, and the acquisition of real and applicable knowledge and skills can be sure that it is heading in the right direction and will ultimately achieve its goals, said the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of BiH, Denis Zvizdić. 

"Otherwise, with a chaotic educational system, fake diplomas, and unaccredited faculties and universities that do not meet even minimal standards, every society, including ours, is certainly heading towards academic, cultural, and economic regression. Therefore, I want to congratulate the judicial and police institutions, especially the members of SIPA, on the excellent and promising action they have been carrying out in recent days in the fight against illegal educational institutions, which have issued thousands of forged diplomas, thereby causing a devastating blow to the existence and functionality of the entire state system in the long term.

This action is not just a fight against organized crime; it is a fight for the future and vision of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a knowledge-based society, where there will be value criteria, and where it will not be possible for individuals with "bought" and "forged" diplomas to take jobs from young, capable, and educated people. This is also an activity in which all institutions and all segments of society that want to see Bosnia and Herzegovina as a prosperous country of equal opportunities must participate.

Therefore, all municipal, cantonal, entity, and state institutions that have not yet done so should conduct a verification process of their employees' diplomas. I would particularly recommend all parliamentary political parties in BiH to verify the validity of diplomas and educational qualifications for the members they nominate and appoint to positions at any level in BiH. 

Because there is no progress without quality and accredited education, compatible with the contemporary needs of society and the economy. That is why it is a segment of development that should be particularly valued, institutionally protected, and systematically developed.

The most beautiful event I have attended several times in the last ten years, which makes one happy because it sparks true optimism, is the graduation ceremony of students and master's degree holders from the University of Sarajevo. To see thousands of students who have successfully completed their studies through their work and effort; to meet their parents and families for whom this is one of the happiest days, is priceless.

Young people, with their enthusiasm and skills, regardless of whether they have secondary or higher education, are the most important capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. We must not allow individuals with fake diplomas to continue to take away from their exceptional effort, thousands of hours of study, and hundreds of sleepless nights, pre-exam jitters, and the final joy of graduation with deserved expectations regarding their professional future.”