College education for 10 talented students in BiH

BOSANA FOUNDATION

Scholarship and Professional Development Program

Quarterly Report

April - September 2023

Executive Summary:

This edition of the quarterly report will cover the past two quarters, and we have some very exciting news to share with you! Between April and September, our students successfully completed their exams, engaged in enriching teambuilding activities, and commenced preparations for the upcoming academic year. We are thrilled to announce that the Bosana family has expanded with the addition of 13 remarkable new students as of September 2023. As we embark on a new year, our commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of these incredible young individuals remains unwavering.

For more updates, please visit our website and follow us on social media.

Students and Program Update:

In this report, we will discuss the latest semester's activities, including exams, teambuilding, and the summer break. We are excited to announce that we have a group of new graduates who will soon begin their job-hunting journey. Additionally, the application process for the new batch of students was successfully completed in September. Out of the 137 applications received, we are thrilled to welcome 11 talented individuals to our Scholarship Program and 2 exceptional students to our Professional Development Program.

Highlights of the quarter:

These are just a couple of examples of the remarkable accomplishments of our students. We are incredibly proud of their dedication and achievements.

•  As part of our commitment to promoting student excellence, the Bosana Foundation annually recognizes and honors an outstanding student with our prestigious Best Student of the Year award. This accolade is bestowed upon students based on their exceptional academic performance, active participation in professional development events, and their valuable contributions through volunteering activities. This year, we are thrilled to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Jovana, a dedicated Bosana student majoring in Biology at the University of Sarajevo. Jovana has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to her professional development and is known for her remarkable enthusiasm and engagement within the academic community.
• In addition, Jovana has participated in The Sanger Prize Competition 2023, an esteemed outreach competition specifically designed for undergraduate students residing and studying in low or middle-income countries. This prize was established in 2002 following the Nobel Prize-winning research conducted by John Sulston, Sydney Brenner, and Robert Horvitz on the microscopic organism C. elegans. The competition offers a remarkable opportunity for the winner to spend three months at the Institute working in a lab of their choice. Jovana has successfully advanced to the second stage of the competition, which is a remarkable achievement.
• Enesa, collaborated with a colleague to create an innovative electronic board that aims to revolutionize education by integrating FPGA systems into the regular curriculum. This project has the potential to make a significant impact on the future of learning.
• Romana, as a fifth-year student at the Faculty of Pharmacy in Sarajevo, had the opportunity to participate in the prestigious CEEPUS International summer school called "Hazardous Substances" at the University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Health Sciences. This experience provided valuable insights and expanded her knowledge in her field of study. CEEPUS (Central European Exchange Program for University Studies) is a Central European exchange program for students, teachers and associates.
• Pelka, senior at the University of Tuzla, participated in the XIV International scientific and professional conference “Improving the quality of life of children and young people” held in Durres, Albania.
• Sumeja, one of our exceptional students, had the honor of co-hosting the Opening Ceremony at the ABMBBIH Conference 2023. This prestigious event, organized in May in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, brought together the Association of Biochemists and Molecular Biologists of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Sumeja had the opportunity to celebrate the diversity of the biochemical community, engaging with students, young researchers, and globally recognized experts in the field. Participating in stimulating discussions and witnessing the latest achievements in the biochemical realm was truly a privilege for Sumeja.
• Zenajda successfully defended her master's thesis on "Design of a Belt Conveyor" at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering in Sarajevo.
• Riana, had the opportunity to attend the 2023 ISPE Europe Annual Conference held in Amsterdam as the President of the Student Chapter, Faculty of Pharmacy of the International Society of Pharmaceutical Engineering, at the University of Sarajevo.
• Sandra, held a seminar for her colleagues about Djurevdan and the history and culture of the Roma in Bihac and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The third-year student at the School of Law in Bihac concluded this seminar with the thought that the goal is for all citizens in B&H to have equal rights in their country and to be able to run for institutions in B&H.
• Serifa, participated in an interactive workshop held in Tuzla on the pressing topic of Violence and Violence Prevention. Organized by the 'Viva Women Tuzla', an organization she has been proud to be a part of for the past two years, this workshop was a significant milestone in their ongoing three-year project.
• Fatima graduated from the University of Sarajevo in July of this year with a degree in radiology science. She is now diligently preparing for her upcoming state exam, which is expected to be scheduled within the next month.
• Nadja recently achieved a significant milestone by earning her Bachelor's degree in Computer and Information Technology from the Faculty of Traffic and Communication at the University of Sarajevo in early September. With her passion for learning, Nadja has plans to further her education and continue her journey in the field.
• Almedina, along with her high school professor, took a remarkable initiative in Bosnia and Herzegovina by establishing the "Every Life Counts" Association. This organization is dedicated to making a positive impact on traffic safety. Through various engaging methods such as educational videos, short films, interviews, workshops, and games, they aim to raise awareness among a diverse community of road users. diverse community of road users

Kick-start Your Career (KYC) Program 2023

This year, ten Bosana students participated in the 'Kick-start Your Career' (KYC) Program, founded in 2019 in collaboration with Aida Sujoldzic, a psychologist with more than fifteen years of professional experience in talent management, career consulting, soft skills training, and executive coaching.

Kick-start your Career' workshop was specifically tailored for Bosana students, with a focus on developing their professional biographies, resumes, cover letters, interview skills, time management, teamwork, and other essential skills relevant to today's job market.

During this year's KSYC program, we were delighted to have a young medical doctor as a guest speaker. He delivered a brief presentation highlighting the benefits of networking and active engagement on LinkedIn. The HUB Homework kindly provided us with the space for this training, and we are incredibly grateful for our ongoing collaboration.

Bosana Teambuilding in Konjic

Every year, Bosana organizes a teambuilding event for our students as a way to take a break from exams and classes while also providing an opportunity for them to meet face-to-face. I am thrilled to share that our recent teambuilding event in Konjic was absolutely fantastic!

This year, we kicked off the event with an exciting climbing wall activity and a delightful meet and greet in the evening. The following day, we had an eventful hiking experience on the breathtaking Prenj mountain, which was followed by a cozy campfire and a night of camping under the stars.

It was truly a memorable and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

Links:

• http://www.bosanafoundation.org

BOSANA FOUNDATION

Scholarship and Professional Development Program

Quarterly Report

January -March 2023

Executive Summary:

Welcome to our first quarterly report of 2023! We are thrilled to share with you the latest updates on our organization's progress and impact for the past quarter. We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to all our donors who have generously supported us and contributed to our mission. Your support enables us to continue making a difference in the lives of those we serve. In this report, you will gain insight into our recent achievements, challenges, and our plans for the upcoming quarter. We hope you enjoy reading this report and thank you once again for your valuable contribution.

Students and Program Update:

January is the end of the fall semester and it is time when the exam preparations are in full swing. During this quarter, the scholarship recipients also went through the exam season. We are proud to report that the students performed exceptionally well, and the majority of them passed their exams with flying colors. As a result, they have now started a new semester with even more enthusiasm and determination to excel academically. We are thrilled to see our scholarship recipients making the most of the opportunity provided to them and are confident that they will continue to make significant strides in their academic journey.

Once again, Bosana partnered with BAPA to provide one scholarship to a leader in the Bosnian-American community. In 2023, BAPA enters its eighth year of awarding scholarships to high achieving Bosnian-American students who do essential work in their respective communities. The BAPA Scholarship aims to assist Bosnian-American students in navigating the educational system and furthering their professional goals. Besides one scholarship sponsored by Bosana Foundation, BAPA offers three more $5,000 Scholarships. The deadline to submit applications was March 20^th, 2023.

As part of our goal to provide our graduating students with the tools they need to succeed in the workforce, we will be hosting workshops to help them achieve their goals. Stay tuned for more details in our next report.

Highlights of the quarter:

We are thrilled to share all these exciting news about our students: 

• Nadezda was selected to assist the regional competition “Misli mine” as a representative of the Red Cross. The competition consisted of multiple-choice questions and interactive activities designed to educate participants about the dangers of landmines and the measures that can be taken to prevent accidents. Through interactive work and competitive spirit, children learn how to live safely in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

• Pelka, one of our students from Tuzla, had the opportunity to meet and talk with her mentor Irma. Through their conversations and guidance, she was able to see new perspectives, set achievable goals, and grow both personally and professionally. This is just one example of the power of mentorship.

• Riana dedicated her blog to the International Day of Education. "In honor of education's contribution to peace and development, the United Nations General Assembly declared January 24th to be the International Day of Education. This blog is dedicated to the significance of education in my life as a fifth-year pharmacy student. Being a pharmacist is a great responsibility and it is unfortunate that students do not get many chances to volunteer. In fact, volunteering in general, and especially within the chosen profession, is essential.” You can read the full text here

•  Sumeja is a fourth- year student at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sarajevo. Sumeja and four other candidates, received a special recognition from Vera Snajder Award 2022 committee. Vera was the first female mathematician in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the first woman to publish a scientific paper, and the first female dean in the former Yugoslavia. All of this was at a time when very few women received higher education around the world, especially in less developed countries. In order to make the general public aware of the importance of Vera Šnajder's character and work, the Bosnia & Herzegovina Futures Foundation made the decision to give an award in her name, as a way to honor and recognize all of her contributions.

• Adi, our student from Mostar completed his Master’s thesis. The topic he focused on was "Ergonomic risk factors when working with a computer in the student population".

• Belma was part of an important project through her volunteering services. Belma and her team spent time providing educational and recreational activities to children at "Home for neglected children" Crkvice and to children who are considered part of a marginalized group. The team aimed to ensure everyone, regardless of their social status, feels included and to fill the lack of inclusion of marginalized groups in educational institutions and centers. They also wanted to help parents who are struggling financially and don't have time to focus on their children's education.

• Suncica participated in the Global Youth Interreligious and Intercultural Forum in Katar. Youth and peacebuilding, interfaith dialogue, contemporary issues and challenges were only some of the topics, but that's not all! Suncica also got to explore some amazing cultural sights and gained a whole new perspective on the world. The event lasted four days and over 50 young activists from 42 countries participated.

• Ilma was part of the organizing committee for the International Symposium #TuzlaBrainWeek which took place from March 17 to 19. Tuzla Brain Week (#TBW) is an annual project of the Student Council "MEDICUS" aimed at promoting neuroscience to the public and highlighting the importance of preserving, improving, and preventing neurological diseases. This year's theme was "All the beauties of the brain," and the symposium featured lecturers and participants from all over Europe.