The second scientific-technical conference “The Importance of Technology and Innovativeness for the Economic Development of Bosnia and Herzegovina” was held on 11th of January, 2018, in Sarajevo, so as to promote technical culture and innovativeness in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The conference was organized by the Association of Technical Culture Novi Grad, sponsored by the Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth of Sarajevo Canton. One of the partners was the Hastor Foundation as well.
Biljana Camur-Veselinovic, Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Civil Affairs of BH for science and culture, said that an event such as this one is an opportunity to speak more about this topic and to come up with certain conclusions and recommendations that will give specific results in the following period so that science and innovativeness could be linked with economy in order to create new workplaces and to develop the country.
The other lecturers and participants of the conference were eminent experts from various fields who, each from their point of view, discussed this topic suggesting specific steps which would help improve the technology and innovativeness in BH. What they all have in common is the attitude that without improving the cooperation, science and economy there will be no economic growth, and this is why investments in innovations and increase of competitiveness are necessary.
The focus was also on education, and the way to promote and present innovativeness in the current educational system. The professor emeritus of the University of Tuzla, Dzemo Tufekcic, said that innovators are not born but become so through education.
Seid Fijuljanin, the Hastor Foundation’s managing director, was one of the participants in the conference panel, and he said that favorable conditions should be created for the youth in BH, as well as a new system that will not make them feel compelled to permanently leave this country looking for more convenient work opportunities. At the same time involvement and a favorable ecosystem can be created for those who gained knowledge, experience and new skills outside BH so that they can apply those in the country and that way contribute to its further development.
Edhem (Eddie) Custovic, a professor at an university in Australia and the chairman of the IEEE Industry Advisory & Engagement Boards, said that it is high time Bosnia and Herzegovina begins using the resources it has, and that the youth should not be told that they cannot do something, but instead focus on the positive and finally start believing that they can do it! He added that creativity and resourcefulness should be rewarded and favored, and not obstructed, and that we should constantly encourage young people to develop their potential.
The final conclusions of the conference were that the innovative approach to education, as well as entrepreneurship, along with the support to companies when it comes to innovativeness, will lead to a higher growth and development of our country, as well as increased employment and better economic results. Current syllabi in schools should be adapted to the market and more effort should be put into motivating young people for technology and innovations.
At the very end of the conference the conclusion was reached: we can succeed only if we actively engage in bringing about such changes.
Emina Adilovic
