Science, Technology and Innovation Summit Strengthens Türkiye–Bosnia and Herzegovina Cooperation at IUS
The International University of Sarajevo (IUS) hosted today the Science, Technology and Innovation Summit: Opportunities for Cooperation between Türkiye and Bosnia and Herzegovina, bringing together high-level representatives from government, academia, industry, and innovation ecosystems of both countries.
The Summit was organized jointly by IUS, its Research and Development Centre, and the Federal Ministry of Education and Science, and was attended by senior officials from federal and cantonal ministries, representatives of public institutions, as well as distinguished guests from Türkiye’s leading technology, innovation, and defense-related organizations.
Among the Turkish participants were representatives of T3 Foundation, Roketsan, BTM, the Defense Industry Agency of Türkiye, YTU Yıldız Technopark, and Konya Teknokent, alongside representatives of Bosnian academic and industrial institutions.
Rector Kuşakcı: Turning Knowledge into Impact
In his welcome address, prof.dr. Ali Osman Kuşakcı, Rector of the International University of Sarajevo, emphasized the strategic importance of cooperation, dialogue, and a shared vision in the fields of science, technology, and innovation.
“At our university, we are committed to turning knowledge into impact. One of our key strategic priorities is the establishment of a Technopark on our campus, aimed at bringing research, innovation, and entrepreneurship closer together,” Rector Kuşakcı stated.
He highlighted that IUS has already taken concrete institutional steps toward this goal through the establishment of Faculty Advisory Boards focused on technopark development, strengthening cooperation between faculties and industry, supporting applied research, technology transfer, and innovation, and ensuring that academic research responds to real-world challenges.
Rector Kuşakcı also underlined the importance of international quality assurance, noting that IUS recently hosted a site visit by YÖKAK, marking an important milestone in the ongoing YÖKAK accreditation process and reaffirming the University’s commitment to international standards and continuous improvement.
Minister Duraković: Innovation Must Become the Rule, Not the Exception
In her opening address, Prof.Dr. Jasna Duraković, Federal Minister of Education and Science, stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Türkiye in science, technology, and innovation.
She highlighted the development of science and technology parks as a strategic priority, describing them as key infrastructure for connecting research, innovation, and the economy. Minister Duraković emphasized that Türkiye represents a successful and proven model in the development of technoparks, investment in innovation, and structured cooperation between academia and industry—one that Bosnia and Herzegovina aims to adapt and develop.
In addition, she identified cooperation in the defense sector and technology transfer as a second priority, while digital transformation and artificial intelligence were highlighted as the third, emphasizing that these areas can significantly accelerate development processes.
“Innovation must become a rule, not an exception,” Minister Duraković concluded, underscoring the need for systematic and sustainable innovation policies.
The Minister also praised the strong cooperation between the Federal Ministry of Education and Science and the International University of Sarajevo, expressing gratitude to the Republic of Türkiye for its continuous support to the development of education, science, and innovation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Platform for Long-Term Cooperation
The Summit continued with all-day panel sessions and presentations featuring prominent representatives from Turkish and Bosnian academia, industry, and innovation ecosystems. Discussions focused on concrete cooperation models, joint projects, research partnerships, technopark development, and technology transfer mechanisms.
By bringing together key stakeholders from both countries, the Science, Technology and Innovation Summit reaffirmed IUS’s role as an active platform for international cooperation and a catalyst for linking academia, industry, and public institutions toward sustainable economic and societal development.
