BH elite in America and Canada

In October of last year, the founding meeting of the Bosnian-Herzegovinian-American Academy of Sciences and Arts was held in the city of Charlotte, North Carolina. Mirsad Hadžikadić, then dean of the Faculty of Informatics at the University of North Carolina, and Kenan Arnautović, a recognized neurosurgeon in the city of Memphis, Tennessee, came up with this idea. With their monetary contributions and time, about 15 enthusiasts gathered, willing to get involved in helping BiH. Today, thanks to the Academy, the enormous human potential that our country has in America is just being glimpsed. It says: Asim Bešlija And so began a story that began to bring together Bosnians and Herzegovinans who, by American standards, achieved success in their professional careers. It is about people who decided to unite their knowledge, time, and money to found an organization that will help the homeland in the future, and in the best way—with knowledge. At the initial meeting in North Carolina, it was decided to expand the membership area to include Canada. The first 15 or so enthusiasts, from a kind of introduction and discussion about plans, left satisfied. It was the beginning of a great process of professional bonding known as 'networking', as a principle for successful business. So, our original desire is to bond and to recognize and get to know each other, because that's the only way we can see our potential. Second, with that connection, we would create a critical mass that, unlike individuals, can achieve much more. Thirdly, such a group in which each individual is recognized and known in his profession and field carries a certain weight. And the moment when we become sufficiently connected and organized in America and Canada, we can step towards BiH and start various programs in it. If the so-called "brain drain" is in Bosnia and Herzegovina, this does not mean that we, who came from there and originally received our education there, should somehow "return home" and continue our professional activities on both continents,' says Dzenita Pašić, a successful attorney and business law specialist from Louisville, Kentucky. However, it is interesting what Ms. Pašić emphasizes about some principles of the Academy's work. Quoting one of the founders, she says: Academy 'yes', academics 'no'. To put it even more simply, it will be an elite, not an elitist organization of highly recognized Bosnians and Herzegovinans in American society. The ultimate goal they set for themselves is the promotion of education and academic success of all members while maintaining high criteria for those who want to become part of the Academy—a certain level of education, academic work, publication of professional works, engagement in professional organizations, and other requirements of contemporary American society. In America, it is not enough for someone to be an atomic physicist and work for NASA. That is commendable but not enough. Such a professional is self-sufficient. However, in this society, a successful professional is required to be much more than that. In addition to professional, social engagement is also required. That is why you will see that many successful professionals are members of the boards of directors of non-profit organizations of various profiles. Here, the state does not help the development of society and social programs. This is where non-profit organizations like the Academy do it. And when a professional reaches a certain level of development in his profession, he usually learns about the ways to engage further,' emphasizes Mrs. Pašić.  Huge potential of Bosnia and Herzegovina. diaspora In one year, the Academy was registered as a non-profit, non-political, non-religious organization that has gathered 46 professionals so far. At the second meeting of the Academy held on October 4 in Chicago, a social and medical section was established, and even 60% of the members are currently doctors. One of those who are not is Prof. Mirsad Hadžikadić, the founder of the Academy who had an intense and exciting academic career in America. He came to the USA with his wife and two children back in 1984 for doctoral studies, and five years later he returned to BiH, and in 1989 he returned to America again. In '1998 I became the Dean of the Faculty of Computer Science at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. In 2000, I became the founding dean of the new College of Information Technology at the same university. In August of this year, I resigned from that position to devote myself to research work in the emerging field of computational social science. Next July, I will become the founding director of a new institute, the North Carolina Complex Systems Institute (NCCSI), within my university. I am currently at Harvard (Kennedy School of Government), where I am getting another master's degree (in addition to my doctorate and master's degrees in computer technology), this time in the field of management of governmental and non-governmental institutions and organizations. Prof. Hadžikadić describes his professional success. He sees the Academy as a place where he catalyzes, supports, and actively contributes to the development of science and culture within the BiH diaspora in America and Canada. People who are capable of building a cognitive and creative structure within the diaspora will gather here, as well as the ties that will unite the USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The vision of their motherland is a unique, democratic, and prosperous state based on modern scientific, cultural, and educational principles. A concrete contribution to this has already been made.  Namely, I participated as an honored guest at the first Congress of Diaspora and BiH scientists, organized by the then Minister of Science and Education of the Sarajevo Canton, Dr. Emir Turkušić, where the germ of the need to organize the scientific and cultural forces of the diaspora by geographic region was probably already conceived. Also, Kenan Arnautović (in addition to other medical experts who are members of BHAANU) is actively involved (and I occasionally) in the work of the Bosnia and Herzegovina medical initiative initiated by the director of the Koševo Clinical Center, Dr. Faris Gavrankapetanović', says Prof. Hadžikadić in an interview for the Sarajevo-x.com portal. A new academy without academics The current president of the Academy, Dr. Eldin Karaiković, emphasizes that this is not about duplicating the already existing Academy of Sciences and Arts of BiH, as they have been objected to on several occasions. The Academy is an association of highly educated experts of Bosnian origin who work and live in America and Canada. These are, therefore, not only highly educated experts but also prominent experts in their field (professors, recognized artists, people who have published works and publications, and successful business people in the economy). That is, therefore, the core of the so-called academy. active members', he explains. Dr. Karaiković emphasizes that in addition to several categories of members, we should mention the honorary ones who are not originally from Bosnia and Herzegovina but who contributed to our country in the most difficult times. Like Dr. Arshad Husain, a psychiatrist who worked with children with post-traumatic stress during the war, Dr. Keith Daubt, editor of the electronic magazine 'Spirit of Bosnia', M.Sc. Thomas Robb, who took care of BH. citizens of Chicago, especially the disabled after the Markale massacre. Dr. Karaiković is originally from Sarajevo, where he completed his medical studies and specialization in orthopedics. Before the war, he went to specialize in America, where he was caught up in the war. There he did his specialization again and continued his very rich professional and scientific career. "I have a subspecialization in spine surgery and perform operations on all ages and all parts of the spine (cervical, thoracic, and lumbar), as well as all diseases from scoliosis to fractures, degenerative diseases, and tumors. I also completed a subspecialization in traumatology (treatment of bone injuries). I am currently an assistant professor at Northwestern University in Chicago, one of the most famous universities in the USA and the world," said Dr. Karaiković, doctor of medical sciences and head of the Department of Orthopedics at the home hospital. 

Considering that he has published 21 scientific papers, is the co-author of six textbooks, has 76 presented scientific papers, has 79 papers as a guest lecturer at the national and international level, and is a member of all the largest spine associations in the USA, it is clear what a contribution can give to the development of the academy. As he is, so are people like him.

Members of the Academy, as they announce, will selflessly transfer knowledge to Bosnia and Herzegovina. A very specific goal is to connect with Sarajevo and other universities in the country to help with the publication of scientific works. Help can also be expected in internet communication and advising in the field of medicine to colleagues in the homeland. Probably the most noble thing is the establishment of a special foundation for providing scholarships to students in BiH and America/Canada for education under the principles of the academy. More about the academy at www.bhaaas.org.

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