Kajs Hadžić Joins Expert Panel on Encouraging Youth Return to Bosnia and Herzegovina
This Saturday, our Research Chair: Kajs Hadžić participated in a roundtable organized by the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, focusing on the return of young educated professionals and PhD holders to Bosnia and Herzegovina. This roundtable aimed to develop sustainable strategies to encourage the return of experts, drawing on collaboration across academia, industry, and government. By connecting young professionals from the diaspora with innovative opportunities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the aim was to foster growth and development for the country’s future.
Empowering Young Talent: Insights from the BiH Academy’s Roundtable on Youth and Expertise Return:
Dr. Mersiha Kolčaković, representing the Ministry of Youth Affairs, emphasized the necessity for structured support for returning talent. Additionally, former rector of the University of Džemal Bijedić, Prof. Dr. Sead Pašić, underscored the importance of connecting academia and industry, drawing attention to the European model where many PhDs pursue careers outside academia.
During the first day, 48 presentations highlighted the significance of Science Communication (SciCom) as a priority topic. In future, the event hopes to integrate BHFF’s “3MT” (Three-Minute Thesis) program to foster effective communication in science. Ajla Nurkanović, a recent 3MT finalist, showcased her award-winning research, demonstrating the program’s success.
Key Insights from the Pane:
Trust in Higher Education: The sentiment among young experts leans toward a lack of confidence in the domestic academic system, with suggestions for monitoring demand for PhD expertise to facilitate integration.
Connecting Academia and Industry: The panel noted that Bosnia has a unique academic hierarchy with a high concentration of professors but a shortage of doctoral students. Suggestions included developing partnerships that allow researchers to split their time between universities and applied research institutions, as was common in the former Yugoslavia.
Limited Time for Research: Heavy teaching loads prevent professors from dedicating substantial time to research, which is essential for innovation.
Return as an “Intellectual Asset”: The broader public must value science, with an emphasis on media coverage to promote scientific contributions. At the same time, existing talent among returning youth and local doctoral students must be equally supported.
The roundtable, led dynamically by Hadžić from the podium, ensured engaging transitions and questions tailored to maintain relevance. This approach garnered positive feedback for its fluid, interactive style, reinforcing the significance of “talk the talk, and walk the walk” in effective science communication.