These fifteen extraordinary young people fill us with hope that “a better tomorrow” that all of us think about from time to time is not as far as it sometimes seems. These magnificent fifteen are a true example of the new type of leader that our society desperately needs, and if we follow their example and consider them people we can look up to, we’ll realize that “a better tomorrow” is just around the corner.

December is a magical month. It is the month when you exchange presents and share the joy and magic of holidays with your loved ones. It is also the month when we look back on all that we have achieved and are to achieve still, and when we forget all the difficulties and obstacles that we had to sacrifice our energy to – all that energy now is transformed, and we are full of love and hope for a new, better beginning.

However, the real magic of the holiday season was really felt by all of us at the Hastor Foundation as soon as the news from all across Bosnia and Herzegovina about the successes of our scholarship holders started coming in. In a matter of just a few days, we’ve heard from no less than 15 of our scholarship holders whose outstanding achievements were recognized and awarded with Golden and Silver Badges, the Dean’s Award or the Golden Plaque. They’ve earned these because they are the best students at their respective universities and faculties.

JASMINA KAVGIĆ (Srebrenik)

Jasmina Kavgić is a student at the Faculty of Economics, University of Tuzla, and has been the Hastor Foundation’s scholarship holder for three years. She has continued the second cycle of studies at the same faculty, at the Department of Accounting and Finance Revision. On the 11th of December 2018, at the reception in Mostar, the Federal Ministry of Education and Science presented Jasmina with the Best Student of the Faculty of Economics Award. On the 18th of December, she was also awarded the Golden Plaque for being the Student of the Year at the Faculty of Economics. Jasmina’s 10.00 GPA for the first cycle of studies is the highest GPA in both the Faculty and the University as a whole.

“The support of the Hastor Foundation has meant a great deal to me. It was not easy combating various distractions on the road towards completing my education, but knowing that there was this constant wind in my sails, this financial and moral support both, made it much easier to keep on walking forward, towards new victories. The Hastor Foundation is a proof that putting in effort and work hard are appreciated and always worth it. Being a part of this family is wonderful.”

LEJLA RAMIĆ (Sarajevo)

Lejla was a student at the Faculty of Law, University of Sarajevo and the Hastor Foundation’s scholarship holder for three years. She is currently a teaching assistant at the aforementioned Faculty, at the Chair of Economic Sciences. Lejla received the Golden Badge of the University of Sarajevo for the first cycle of studies, GPA 9.85, and a Golden Badge of the University of Sarajevo for both the first and second cycle of studies, with the GPA of 9.87.  

“Talking about the support of the Hastor Foundation is difficult if you’re limited to only a couple of sentences. Although I’m no longer formally its scholarship holder, I still feel this great connection with the Foundation because it had this immeasurable and multifaceted significance throughout my studies. The Hastor Foundation is so much more than mere financial support because there, at its core, are young and talented people who have confirmed over and over again that “Education is the Choice of Winners”, as our motto proudly states. I am trying very hard to find the right words to talk about the Foundation. It was hard before, but now it’s even harder because only now that I’m looking back on my time as its scholarship holder I can truly understand its significance and the opportunity I was given when I became a part of it. Numerous reasons make up my conviction and enable me to say that the Hastor Foundation represents a pillar of true, universal values. Whenever I talk about the Foundation in the future, I will express my gratitude to these wonderful people – teacher Ramo, director Seid and the members of the Administrative team – because they put their trust in me. Your support made by path towards success easier! Finally, I would like to thank you for always thinking about us too, the former scholarship holders of the Hastor Foundation!”

ANISA RUHOTINA (Sarajevo)

Anisa was a student at the Faculty of Law, University of Sarajevo and the Foundation’s scholarship holder for three years. She is currently in her third cycle of studies, but also works as a teaching assistant at the aforementioned faculty, Chair of Civil Law. Anisa received the Golden Badge of the University of Sarajevo for the first cycle of studies, GPA 9.83, as well as the Golden Badge of the University of Sarajevo for awarded for both cycles of studies with the GPA of 9.85.

“I consider my employment at the Faculty of Law to be the final confirmation of everything that the Foundation has taught me. In my case, the fact that the education is the winning formula for success and something that constantly drives us forward truly was proven, and it was proven immediately upon finishing the second cycle of studies. Knowledge truly is power. Talking about the help and support I received as a scholarship holder of the Hastor Foundation is truly hard. The Hastor Foundation was never just financial support, but a fountain of much more important values, those that make up the essence of life. Numerous new friendships, the wisdom of teacher Ramo, the volunteer hours spent with the children in learning and merriment… That is what truly counts. I would be immensely happy if my contribution to the Foundation is anywhere near the support, the knowledge, and the skills I gained during my time there,” says Anisa.

BELMANA GERIN (Stolac)

Belmana Gerin is in her second cycle of studies at the Agro-Mediterranean Faculty, Džemal Bijedić University of Mostar. The program she chose is Ecology and Environmental Management in Agriculture. Belmana has been the scholarship holder of our Foundation for 12 years and received Dean’s Award, for finishing the third year of the first cycle of studies with the GPA of 9.56, as well as the Golden Plaque, that was awarded to her by the by the Student Union of the Džemal Bijedić University in Mostar for completing the first year of the second cycle of studies with the GPA of 9.99.

“The support of the Hastor Foundation doesn’t mean that it is only financial, it is also a moral support. I am proud and happy to be a part of this family for so many years, and whenever I introduce myself, in whichever occasion, I have to mention my status as a scholarship holder and a volunteer of the Hastor Foundation. I believe that I have my parents to thank for each one of my accomplishments, but also the Foundation. I know that you are proud of your scholarship holders who are successful students, but who will also, in the future, be successful professionals,” said Belmana to our Editorial Board.

MAIDA HUSNIĆ (Mostar)

Maida has been the scholarship holder of our Foundation for three years already and is currently in her fourth year of studies at the Department of Bosnian Language and Literature, Džemal Bijedić University of Mostar. The Student Union of the Džemal Bijedić University in Mostar presented her with a Golden Plaque for her 9.71 GPA. Maida was also recognized by the Federal Ministry of Education and Science as being, with the GPA of 9.71, The Best Student of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.

This is what Maida told us: “From the moment I signed my first scholarship contract with the Hastor Foundation, many wonderful things started happening in my life and I would like to use this opportunity to express my sincerest gratitude to the Foundation for having influenced me in such a way and contributing to my growth and advancement. I would also like to point out that this award belongs to the Foundation as much as it belongs to me, and I hope that we’ll walk this path of success together in the future.”

IRENA KARAMEHMEDOVIĆ (Sarajevo)

Irena has been the Foundation’s scholarship holder for three years already and is a student at the Sarajevo Music Academy, Department of Musical Theory and Pedagogy. She received the Silver Badge of the University of Sarajevo for the first cycle of studies, with the GPA of 9.4.

“The Hastor Foundation helped me greatly on my path towards success. I had some health-related problems this year, but their support and understanding proved a great driving force. I hope that with this recognition I’ll be able to say how thankful I am, since the Foundation played a great role in this success of mine,” said Irena.

MARIJA PIŠKOVIĆ (Posušje)

Marija has been the scholarship holder of our Foundation for four years and is currently in her second cycle of studies at the Sarajevo Music Academy. She completed the first cycle of studies there as well, and was awarded the Silver Badge of the University of Sarajevo for having a GPA of 9.33.

Marija talked of the Foundation in superlatives: “Throughout the years, the Hastor Foundation played a great role in my path towards success. The financial support made it easier for me to gain education, and its program helped me acquire new skills and knowledge, but also improve existing ones. However, the thing you really remember for as long as you live is the fact that the Foundation was a home for its scholarship holders, a shelter in which to retreat regardless of how difficult life becomes. The enormous support given to me by the Foundation helped me grow as a person in every aspect, and helped me feel secure and motivated, so that I could continue walking forward.”

AMINA VATREŠ (Sarajevo)

Amina has been the scholarship holder of the Hastor Foundation for 12 years already and is currently in her second cycle of studies at the Faculty of Political Science, Department of Communicology. She was awarded the Silver Badge of the University of Sarajevo and was, with the GPA of 9.31, recognized as the best student of the first cycle of studies at the Department of Communicology.

“The selfless support and the sense of stability I gained when I became a part of the Hastor Foundation 12 years ago had a considerable impact on my personal development and encouraged me to always try and be the best possible version of myself. It also made me unwilling to impose any limits on my dreams and what I strive to achieve. For that reason, my ambition, self-criticism, and consistency, and finally my accomplishments should be seen not only as my own, but the Foundation’s as well,” said Amina.

AMIN SEJFIĆ (Čapljina)

Amin has been the scholarship holder of our Foundation for eight years already and is currently in his second cycle of studies at the Faculty of Economics and Business in Sarajevo, Department of Marketing Management. Amin received the Silver Badge of the University of Sarajevo for the first cycle of studies with the GPA of 9.30.

Amin told us the following: “For me, being a part of the Hastor Foundation has to do with the very important feeling of belonging. In these last eight years, while I was a part of this large family, I worked hard and I was diligent, and every success was acknowledged and awarded. I’ll carry wonderful memories from my time here, as well as the enormous gratitude for all the support I received from the Foundation – without this support I wouldn’t have had these accomplishments.”

AMMAR BISER (Busovača)

Ammar has been the scholarship holder of the Hastor Foundation for eleven years already and is currently in his second cycle of studies at the Sarajevo Music Academy. Ammar received the Silver Badge of the University of Sarajevo for the first cycle of studies, with the GPA of 9.15.

“The Hastor Foundation selflessly provides help and awards the amount of money that, in these difficult times, proves to be of great help to both students and parents alike. In addition to the financial support, I have, like many others, had the opportunity to meet many wonderful people I’ll keep in touch with even after I leave the Foundation.” 

ALMEDINA SMAJLOVIĆ (Ilijaš, Sarajevo)

Almedina became a scholarship holder of the Hastor Foundation in 2016. She is currently in her first year of Master studies at the Faculty of Philosophy, Department of English Language of Literature. She is focusing on Linguistic Studies. Almedina received the Silver Badge of the University of Sarajevo and is, with the GPA of 9.14, among the Best Students of the Faculty of Philosophy for the first cycle of studies.

Almedina had this to say about the Foundation’s support: “The support of the Hastor Foundation truly means a great deal to me. When I say support, I mean the financial support that makes it easier for me to dedicate myself fully to my studies, but I am also thinking of the moral support that motivates me to always give it my all, since I know there are people who will be proud of my success and celebrate with me as if it were their own. I am beyond grateful to the Hastor Foundation for giving me this opportunity and for supporting me, and I hope that with this accolade I managed to show that the trust and the expectations were worthwhile.”

AMAR HALILOVIĆ (Vogošća, Sarajevo)

Amar has been the scholarship holder of the Hastor Foundation for two years and is currently studying at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Sarajevo. He received the Silver Badge of the University of Sarajevo for the first cycle of studies, with the GPA of 9.13

“Being a member, a scholarship holder and a volunteer of the Hastor Foundation is a great honor and pleasure for me. Through volunteering, I’ve gained valuable experience that greatly contributed my informal education. The scholarship and the support of the Hastor Foundation were very valuable to me on my way towards getting a degree,” said Amar.

AZRA MAHINIĆ (Mostar)

Azra Mahinić was our Foundation’s scholarship holder for two years. After finishing the second cycle of studies at the Faculty of Civil Engineering, Džemal Bijedić University of Mostar, she was offered an opportunity for full-time employment. Azra received the Dean’s Award for the first and second year of the second cycle of studies, with GPA of 9.1 and 9.3 respectively.

“Although I’ve been the Foundation’s scholarship holder for only two years, I felt and still feel that there is this great connection with the Foundation and its other scholarship holders. The Hastor Foundation’s support, Teacher Ramo’s words of wisdom, all the pieces of advice and uplifting messages that left an imprint on me during the monthly meetings in the ASA Group’s Assembly Hall – all of that will stay with me for as long as I live. I truly feel that the Foundation is my other family, and that feeling that these people recognized that I had all of the makings of a Hastor Foundation scholarship holder and reached out to me when I needed it is truly indescribable. I will certainly stay with the Foundation in some capacity in the future also, because I still feel that I’m a part of it although I’m no longer its scholarship holder,” said Azra.

TARIK MURATSPAHIĆ (Bugojno)

Tarik has been the scholarship holder of the Foundation for three years already and is currently studying at the Faculty of Law in Sarajevo. He received the Silver Badge of the University of Sarajevo for the first cycle of studies, with the GPA of 9.0.

“The Hastor Foundation’s support is of paramount importance to students who, through their effort and diligence, wish to change the world around them. I am able to stay inspired and motivated while on that path thanks to everyone who is a part of the Foundation – these people make me want to be even better than I am now,” says Tarik.

MAHIR SKOPLJAK (Novi Travnik)

Mahir has been the scholarship holder of our Foundation for twelve years already and is a former student at the Faculty of Ecology, International University of Travnik. Upon finishing his studies, Mahir applied to the Call for Attending Job Skills Training issued by the Government of the Central Bosnia Canton. He received the Golden Plaque for being the Best Student of the first cycle of studies, with the GPA of 8.56.

Mahir had words of praise for the Foundation: “Something that I’d like to point out is that every atom of our strength sacrificed for education is worth it, but something that I really need to stress is that I’m not the only one who made this success a reality. In fact, it was this trusty guardian that is my biggest support, right after my family. I’m talking about the Hastor Foundation of course. For that reason, I’d like to express my sincerest thanks for the continuous support I received throughout my university education.”

These fifteen extraordinary young people fill us with hope that “a better tomorrow” that all of us think about from time to time is not as far as it sometimes seems. These magnificent fifteen are a true example of the new type of leader that our society desperately needs, and if we follow their example and consider them people we can look up to, we’ll realize that “a better tomorrow” is just around the corner.