The Bosnian-Herzegovinian American Academy of Arts and Sciences (BHAAAS) held its 17th annual meeting in Salt Lake City last weekend, where the organization's new president, Eldina Vajzović Nizamić, was appointed, as well as new board members. Dr. Eldina Vajzović Nizamić is a family medicine expert based in Seattle, and her long-standing activist engagement with BHAAAS began in 2009. She succeeded Dr. Amer Smajkić as president. "As we embark on this new chapter together, I want to express my unwavering commitment to the mission and vision of our organization, our commitment to expand and strengthen our scientific, educational, and artistic bridges between our two countries. We have a noble purpose, one that is focused on knowledge, education, science, and high standards in professional and personal life," said the new president.
She also said that BHAAAS will focus on three key areas in the coming period. "First and foremost, we will prioritize strengthening our efforts to ensure that our activities and mission reach a wider audience in the United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina throughout the year. We particularly want to target and enhance engagement with students and young professionals in our workshops, seminars, and educational and professional activities. Second, we will invest time and energy in building partnerships with other organizations, such as various universities and other educational institutions, both in the United States and in BiH. Third, and perhaps most importantly, we must focus our efforts on the modernization of education. We will engage students in BiH who will become ambassadors of change—those who will embrace scientific research, new technologies, and newer ways of management and leadership in their fields," emphasized Eldina Vajzović Nizamić and announced that the 15th BHAAAS Days will be held in June 2024 in Sarajevo. The meeting stated that 2023 was an extremely productive year for this organization, with particular emphasis on new projects such as Knowledge to Health, Web Medical Archives, and support for students through the mentoring program, as well as support for the "3 Minute Thesis" competition. It was also stated that the Sustainable Urban Development Department is constantly active, and representatives of each department presented their activities and plans. 
"All this was achieved through the selfless dedication of BHAAAS experts who volunteered to lead working groups together with students, residents, and young people. Such an approach, giving of their time, money, and knowledge without compensation, with strong emotions and a desire for progress, best demonstrates the possibilities and power of BHAAAS," said the outgoing president. In addition to the volunteer spirit, special attention was paid to intergenerational cooperation, and more experienced members emphasized that they were happy to see their successors in the new members. Karl Wurster, Director of the USAID Economic Office in BiH, also addressed the attendees via video link, saying that they looked forward to continuing cooperation through the Diaspora Invest 2 project. "The strength of the diaspora is not only in the financial aspect, but it is also social and cultural; it also refers to the exchange of knowledge and information between the BiH diaspora and the people in BiH, which makes it so powerful," said Wurster, among other things. The guests of the meeting were representatives of the Association for the Advancement of Science and Technology (ANNT), who presented a whole range of their projects, including the BiH academic directory to strengthen the research network in BiH but also facilitating networking, connecting, and cooperation of our researchers around the world. 
Members who joined BHAAAS this year are Azra Holec Bračković, Adi Čosić, and Eldina Selesković; Azra Ajkunić, Senada Demirović Habibija, Šajma Hakmi, Emir Halilbašić, Meliha Halilbašić, Jasminka Hasić, Mirsad Kacila, Kenan Kraković, Nevena Mahmutbegović, Aida Ramić Čatak, Elvir Resić, Adna Sijerčić, Venera Simonović, Belma Šarančić, and Zoran Vručinić. The next assembly is scheduled for October 2024 in Seattle. BHAAAS is more than an organization; it is a community of proven professionals with significant contributions in their fields. It was emphasized at the annual gathering with the wish that this academy will continue to contribute to shaping a brighter future for Bosnia and Herzegovina in the coming period.
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