With an adequate strategy, Bosnia and Herzegovina has the potential for the development of science and technology, says Ismar Volić, Ph.D., professor of mathematics at Wellesley College and founder of the Institute for Mathematics and Democracy. Sarajlija, who came to the United States in 1991, is currently actively working on the promotion of science. Dr. Ismar Volić believes that BiH is not a rich enough country to finance science from the budget or philanthropy. That is why he believes that creative synergy between the educational and business sectors is necessary. "Personally, it's a little difficult for me to admit this, primarily because I deal with 'useless', abstract mathematics, but I would like to live in a society that considers science and research work so important that it finds a way to support it at all costs, even if it does not seem profitable at first glance. However, that is not reality, especially not in Bosnia and Herzegovina," said Dr. Volić. He sees the solution in combining talent and academic tradition with the needs of the market, which is increasingly looking for sophisticated science for its development. In this sense, he cites the example of Estonia, which invested in STEM education and research in the 1990s, attracted technology companies, and is now flourishing as the Silicon Valley of Europe. "Those who are engaged in science, or who are thinking about it, must be enabled to do it, to have the conditions, and to be able to provide themselves with a decent existence. Those who push the boundaries of human knowledge should be put on a pedestal to be shined on them. The criteria must also be raised, not only for the quality of scientific work but also for those who pass on knowledge to our children, for the teaching staff. There is a clear correlation between the world's top education systems and the quality of teachers," he explains.
The lack of institutional support for networking scientists from the diaspora with people in BiH is also a problem. Our interlocutor points out that there are projects led by the Department for Emigration at the Ministry of Human Rights, but these projects are small and short-term, and even if they were not, the lack of human resources would prevent their implementation. "These are wonderful people who understand our potential and are trying to elevate our role in science and education in Bosnia and Herzegovina," says Dr. Volić and adds: "We in the diaspora cannot do everything by ourselves, and it seems that in many ways we have reached the ceiling of our possibilities. To continue, we need a partnership; we need a true formalization of our presence." Some of the solutions are that scientists from the diaspora are engaged in Bosnia and Herzegovina. universities and to mentor students, but also that young people from Bosnia and Herzegovina can go abroad for studies and training. Volić believes that scientists from the diaspora should be allowed to hold lectures and courses throughout BiH, to be members of advisory bodies, and to have a voice in higher education reforms. "Therefore, an umbrella, systemic infrastructure should be established that understands that the scientific and research diaspora needs and must play a huge role in the development of science and education in Bosnia and Herzegovina," he said.
The scientific research system in the United States allows researchers to devote themselves as much as possible to their work so that they do not have to worry much about technical and administrative matters. According to Volić, there is a race for financing, but also a great competition. "If the idea is really innovative and the research plan makes sense, if the boundaries of knowledge and science are really being pushed, then there will be support—from universities, government institutions in charge of science, private companies, and foundations engaged in scientific philanthropy. "Scientists have fewer teaching obligations; they are able to employ postgraduates and postdoctoral fellows; they have access to the latest equipment; and they are enabled to travel to conferences and share results and knowledge," he pointed out. However, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as in the European Union, the administration often buries scientific work. "As far as I understand the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, too little is invested in scientific and research work, and even if some support is received, the administrative tasks are so complicated and absurd that many wish they had never received it," believes Volić, who also referred to the reviewer's process, which he also sees as quite closed. "Small circles of people put each other on papers as co-authors, and the revision system is also based on narrow networks of collaborators who make circular services. The scientific community is not to blame for this; it is a consequence of the provincialization of society, the overall educational collapse, and the systematic neglect of science," Volić said.
Volić is actively involved in the work of the Bosnian-Herzegovinian-American Academy of Arts and Sciences (BHAAAS), which organizes a large annual conference, "Days of BHAAAS in BiH," with dozens of symposia in medicine, technical and natural sciences, and social sciences, as well as numerous artistic events. He points out that since last year there has also been a program dedicated to sustainability, which, he says, is an extremely current and relevant interdisciplinary topic, and they are focusing more and more attention on students to attract as many of them as possible. "In that aspect, things are not going as fast as we imagined, because it seems that our students are not in the habit of going to conferences, meeting people, networking, and expanding their research abilities and opportunities. I don't think that it is necessarily caused by apathy, but I think that it is again a matter of academic culture. It seems to me that our students do not feel that they have a place at high-level scientific events, that they think that it is something that is reserved for their professors and that they are not welcome there," Volić believes. One of the goals of BHAAAS is to "break down" that old-fashioned academic mythology and hierarchy. According to Volić, they have the most success when it comes to medical sciences because students attend those events. However, the situation is not like that in other disciplines. That is why, according to him, in recent years they have been trying to cover the costs of students coming to the "Days of BHAAAS." This organization is also launching a mentorship program through which they would connect their members in the United States and the rest of the world with young people from Bosnia and Herzegovina.. Their goal is to have a presence in BiH throughout the year, not just during the annual conference. (https://ba.voanews.com/)
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