The Bosnian-Herzegovinian American Academy of Arts and Sciences marked two decades of collaboration in Chicago, welcoming new leadership, strengthening institutional partnerships and placing young professionals at the center of its future plans.
The Bosnian-Herzegovinian American Academy of Arts and Sciences (BHAAAS) held its 20th Annual Meeting in the Chicago area from October 16–18, 2026, bringing together members, distinguished professionals, institutional representatives and partners to reflect on the Academy’s achievements and discuss its future direction.
One of the most significant moments was the transfer of leadership to Dr. Azra Sadiković, a physician specializing in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery who has built her professional career in the United States. She succeeds outgoing president Prof. Zlatan Akšamija. Dr. Sadiković serves as head of the Division of Gynecology and Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.
The meeting also highlighted BHAAAS’s growing role in connecting professionals in the diaspora with academic, scientific and public institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
A New Focus on Younger Generations
In his farewell remarks, Prof. Akšamija reflected on the Academy’s development and the increasingly visible contributions of its members to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
He recalled that members had sometimes felt their efforts were “an uphill battle.” Today, he said, he sees their work and expertise receiving greater recognition from institutions in their homeland. That progress, he noted, provides encouragement for continued cooperation.
Dr. Sadiković emphasized that engaging younger generations will be one of the priorities of her presidency. She highlighted the importance of connecting with people of Bosnian-Herzegovinian heritage who were born abroad and are now entering their thirties, encouraging them to develop lasting relationships with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“We want to create more opportunities for young people to get involved, connect, and collaborate, and to encourage them to bring their knowledge and experience into closer connection with Bosnia and Herzegovina,” Sadiković said.
Her vision reflects BHAAAS’s broader mission of bringing together expertise from the diaspora and creating opportunities for that knowledge to contribute to the development of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Institutional Support and a New Cooperation Agreement
The program opened with addresses from representatives of diplomatic and government institutions.
Participants received video messages from John Ginkel, Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Sven Alkalaj, Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the United States.
Tatjana Telić, Consul General of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Chicago, addressed the gathering in person, expressing support for the Academy and its mission. Sevlid Hurtić, Minister of Human Rights and Refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina, also delivered a video address.
Emir Ibrahimagić, head of the Sarajevo Canton Government Office for Diaspora Affairs, attended the meeting as well.
A major development was the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between BHAAAS and the Office for Diaspora Affairs. The agreement builds on previous initiatives connecting the diaspora with academic, scientific and professional institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The office had supported a BHAAAS project through its diaspora engagement program in 2025.
Other speakers included Muris Čičić, president of the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Bosnia and Herzegovina; Suad Krilašević, representing the Association for the Advancement of Science and Technology; and Martina Egedušević, representing the BH Futures Foundation.
Science, Artificial Intelligence and Opportunities for Young Professionals
Expert lectures and presentations explored the role of education, innovation and emerging technologies in professional development.
As part of the BHAYA program, Haris Smajkić discussed his experience applying to UCLA. Elvir Resić spoke about international knowledge as an opportunity and a source of development potential, while Seid Korić examined how artificial intelligence is transforming medicine, engineering and everyday life.
The meeting also introduced new BHAAAS members and provided an opportunity for participants to exchange ideas across professional disciplines.
Working sessions included reports from the Medical and Health Division, the Technical and Natural Sciences Division, the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences Division, the Student Program, and the Artificial Intelligence Program. Members reviewed the Academy’s activities and discussed proposals for new initiatives.
The evening concluded with a gala dinner and fundraising event, bringing members and partners together in celebration of the Academy’s twentieth anniversary.
Connecting the Diaspora With Bosnia and Herzegovina
The 20th Annual Meeting reinforced BHAAAS’s role as a bridge between professionals living abroad and institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Through scientific programs, professional networks, educational initiatives and partnerships, the Academy creates opportunities for knowledge exchange and collaboration across borders. Its work also seeks to make the expertise of Bosnian-Herzegovinian professionals abroad more accessible to younger generations and institutions at home.
With Dr. Sadiković assuming the presidency, the Academy enters a new chapter with a particular emphasis on youth engagement, stronger institutional partnerships and continued cooperation between Bosnia and Herzegovina and its global diaspora.
The next major gathering, the 18th Days of BHAAAS, is scheduled for June 17–21, 2027, in Sarajevo. The event will bring together international experts across science, medicine, engineering, the arts and other professional fields, continuing one of the Academy’s principal initiatives for connecting local and international knowledge communities.
As BHAAAS looks ahead, its twentieth annual meeting in Chicago stands as a milestone in an ongoing effort to transform professional connections into lasting opportunities for collaboration, innovation and development.
