Jon Bon Jovi once said, “Theory without practice is like a wheel without an axle, and practice without theory is like a blind man on a path.” Applying what you’ve learned, even in small quantities, is a great skill. Only a few can master it, which is why the Active Youth section is dedicated to those rare individuals who know how to implement their knowledge and stand out in their respective fields. One such student is part of the Hastor Foundation family. His name is Mustafa Puljarga, coming from Gornji Vakuf, a small town at the source of the Vrbas River. He is a first-year student at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering in Mostar and has been a member of the Hastor Foundation for eight years, during which he has learned a great deal, most importantly realizing that education, empathy, and selflessness are keys to success.
His altruism was evident even during his high school days, where he was a member of the High School Association advocating for student rights. His community contributions didn’t stop there; on a higher academic level, he became part of the Scientific-Teaching Council of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering in Mostar, advocating for better student status. Mustafa has extended his empathy to the Youth Network of Gornji Vakuf, the town where he acquired his initial knowledge and skills. He is an active member of the University of Mostar Student Union, participating in organizing the student league, leveraging good organizational skills gained from the Hastor Foundation.
The Foundation recognized Mustafa’s positive attributes and gave him the opportunity to mentor younger scholarship recipients. Mustafa emphasizes that during their meetings, teamwork is evident—they learn, work together, and find solutions collectively. Through these meetings, he learned that only through collective efforts can excellent results be achieved. Consequently, at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, he and his colleagues earned the opportunity to participate in the “Design Megdan” competition organized by INTERA Technology Park, where their task was to collaboratively design a vehicle model. This project demanded much effort, work, knowledge, and responsibility, yet Mustafa and his team achieved an outstanding second place, leading him to a two-month internship at “Alfa Therm” company. He credits much of his success to the Foundation.
My responsibilities at the Hastor Foundation have taught me accountability. I’ve realized that as an individual, I can help, do something meaningful, and learn many new and important things along the way. Therefore, I want to thank the Foundation, which stands as a wall behind us, helping us build our personalities and a better, more successful society.
He views his involvement in the competition as a stepping stone for further progress. He believes that small steps are not insignificant because they can lead to something great, a principle also reflected in his engagement with the Hastor Foundation. An interesting fact about Mustafa is his motivation rooted in love for his homeland. He aspires to be an excellent ambassador for Bosnia and Herzegovina, through whose achievements many will hear of his country. He believes that studying what we love, whatever that may be, can lead to excellent results, and Bosnia and Herzegovina need such people—excellent and dedicated.
Regardless of the outcome, what matters is that throughout the competition, I did what I love, which essentially involves innovation—an area where I genuinely feel happy and satisfied. I believe that the knowledge I gain from working on these small projects can later be utilized in the creation of larger projects that will be recognized not only in Bosnia and Herzegovina but also internationally, showcasing our homeland in the best possible light.
In all his endeavors, besides the Foundation, his family and friends support him, assisting not only in ideas but also in their realization. Finally, it’s important to emphasize that his love for the environment, mechanical engineering, and homeland has been recognized by his professors, who also represent his strong support. The Hastor Foundation is proud to have such individuals as its scholarship recipients and role models for younger generations.
Article prepared by: Aldina Šaljić
