Bosnia & Herzegovina Futures Foundation

Our fellowship (scholarship) for university students in Bosnia & Herzegovina is now officially open 😍 👇 We are looking for talented and passionate students👩🔬🧑🔬Our professional development fellowship can transform your career❗ We are looking for exceptional students who embody a true passion for learning, demonstrate outstanding leadership qualities and possess a unique blend of talent, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit. Futures Fellowship is a multi-year professional development program designed by Bosnia and Herzegovina's leading industry and academic experts from around the world to develop young talents into global leaders and change makers. 😍 What does the Futures Fellowship offer❓ ✅ Sharpen your technical, personal and leadership skills ✅ Gain valuable preparation for the job market ✅ Attend conferences and visit companies that align with your interests ✅ Access mobility programs and and connect with BH professionals globally ✅ Get to know other BH Futures Foundation members throughout BiH and the world ✅ Shape your career with a industry mentor from around the world ✅ Lead workshops and projects in your schools together with us ✅ Access critical funding (one-time financial aid during your studies) ✅ Support in applications for masters and Ph.D. programs abroad from our experts ✅ Development of your entrepreneurial skills through our IEEE Innovation Nation Bosnia and Herzegovina program ✅ Development of your scientific research skills with mentors and through our research programs ✅ Access exclusive internships and work opportunities through the foundation's network ✅ Plus, much more! Find out more via our website. Applications for the Futures Scholarship are accepted from TODAY until 28 July 2024 (23:59). Take the first step towards becoming a #Changemaker Join us today and let's create the future together! 🔥

Nina Stefanovic our alumna presented the foundation's work at the BiH Diasporic Conference (#BiHDiaspora #BiHDC)#BiHDiaspora #BiHDC) in Boston last month. 👇 This year's theme, "Pamet u glavu: Knowledge Creation & Cultural Growth," cantered around a profound connection among attendees through a rich cultural tapestry of language, art, music, science, humanities, sports, and history. The conference leveraged community experience to reflect on knowledge creation and cultural growth, sparking meaningful change in our communities. This theme resonated deeply with the work we have been doing at the foundation, making it a perfect fit for us. Nina presented the foundation's work and shared our values, mission, and vision with the attendees. We had the privilege of seeing many familiar faces, including our ambassadors, mentors, and former keynote speakers, as well as meeting people who had heard about our organization and wanted to become part of it. We forged new connections with some incredible individuals and had the honor of presenting alongside Saint Louis Balkan American Connection (who recently joined us at our Leader's of tomorrow conference in Banja Luka). Thank you very much BiH Diasporic Conference (#BiHDiaspora #BiHDC)#BiHDiaspora #BiHDC) for the warm welcome. A big thank you to all the attendees for the support we received. It is heartening to see our organization recognized even beyond the BiH borders. PS: This was Nina Stefanovic first big public presentation and we are so proud of her. Nina is currently undertaking her Ph.D. at University of Connecticut and she completed her bachelor studies at Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Banja Luka.

Our scholars visited Banjalučka Pivara to learn about the science, engineering and operations of a modernised large scale production facility. 📅 Founded in 1873 by the Trappists (Catholic religious order), the brewery was known for its famous cheese, but also for the beer they brewed. In the beginning, it was used for therapeutic purposes for the treatment from excessive brandy consumption. 😄🍺 🍺 The beer is made from barley, water and hops. Everything is mixed in the variator until the wort is obtained, which later goes to the cooling and fermentation process. 🌡️ After cooling to 0°C, the fourth essential element is added - yeast. The brewery produces its own yeast in a laboratory, which is different from baker's yeast. The fermentation process lasts 28 days, where the beer is cooled and then goes to filtration. 🚀 The entire process is automated, managed via computer, ensuring the stability and quality of our beer. 📦 The bottling plant has four filling lines: bottles, barrels, cans and PET bottles, with a capacity of 40k bottles per hour. The brewery produces 500k hectoliters per year and employs 250 workers. The brewery has been seriously modernised recently and has expanded it's market share. 👩🎓👨🎓 BH Futures Foundation scholarship holders visited the brewery as part of the foundation academy in Banja Luka to learn about engineering and the science behind beer production. We would like to thank all the staff at the brewery. In particular Milka Stanivukovic and our friend Ilija Setka aka "The Beer King" for facilitating everything. #Pivara #1873 #Trapisti #CraftBeer #BeerLovers #BreweryLife #Automation #Fermentation #TraditionAndInnovation #BosniaBeer #BHFuturesFoundation #Engineering #Science

We finished our "Leaders of tomorrow" conference with a networking session and expo, where guests had an opportunity to network with companies, NGOs, industry professionals & other students from BiH. 👇 We witnessed some really constructive and interesting conversations during the networking session and we would like to thank everyone who stayed on despite the near 40 degree C temperature. A huge thank you to our friends at LANACO, Sinisa Andric, Momčilo Amović and Novak Čičković for speaking to all the students about your company and incredible internship program. Thank you Vukašin Latinović and City Gecko (manufacturer of smart urban furniture) for showcasing your solar powered smart benches & bus stops with so many features that make use of the best designs and enable true comfort. Your products are just incredible - do check them out. Thank you Nerma Saracevic from Mozaik Foundation for sharing the work of your not for profit and the million ways you support businesses & young people in Bosnia & Herzegovina. Thank you to our students Ena Milković and Hanan Velić for speaking to other students about our foundation's programs. Thank you to our friends USAID Diaspora Invest Project, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Banja Luka, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Banja Luka Much love and greetings from the beautiful city on the Vrbas river, Banja Luka 💙

Our last keynote for the day at "Leaders of Tomorrow" was Lejla Iriškić, a hardware engineer from Apple. Lejla spoke about what it took to go from Bosanski Petrovac, via Banja Luka to a company like Apple ⬇ Lejla began her academic journey at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Banja Luka (ETF) with an average grade of 7.8, facing challenges with both mathematics subjects in her first year. However, her passion and dedication took her far. 🌍 Journey towards international experience 🌍 During her studies, Lejla gained practical experience through an IASTE internship at a small company in Villach, Austria. She stood out with her independent work, inspiring her to continue her education in the master's program "Integrated Systems and Circuit Design". 🔬 Transformation of perception and practical application of knowledge 🔬 At ETF, she thought all circuits and schematics were prehistoric, but the master's program proved otherwise. During the third semester, Lejla tested the chip she had designed in her first year. These experiences were like magic for her - seeing something you designed work. 💼 Professional achievements and career development 💼 Lejla's expertise and dedication did not go unnoticed. Through LinkedIn, she was contacted by Intel for a position. The only job she would accept was one related to scientific work, and that is exactly what she got - a project on 5G transceivers. Apple acquired that part of Intel, and Lejla has been working for Apple for 5 years, making a significant contribution in her field. 💡 Lejla shared some advice for young professionals 💡 ➡Be realistic in accordance to your abilities. ➡Be brave in accordance to your abilities. ➡It's not a problem to fail an exam, just don't cry too long over spilled milk. 👏 Congratulations to Lejla on her outstanding achievements. We hope her story will inspire many young professionals to follow their dreams! USAID Diaspora Invest Project Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Banja Luka Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Banja Luka #Leadership #Innovation #Engineering #CareerJourney #Inspiration #WomenInTech #Apple #Intel #5G

After two keynotes we went into a panel session titled "Facilitating the Transfer of Knowledge and Innovation between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Our Global Expert Community" 🔽 Our panel guests were Dr. Nemanja Koljančić, a scientific researcher of analytical chemistry at the Slovenská technická univerzita v Bratislave, Dr. Marko Djukanovic, an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Science and Mathematics in Banja Luka who attained his Ph.D. from Vienna, and Dejana Ugrenovicć, a Data Scientist at DeepIntent and Ph.D. candidate at KU Leuven, Belgium. The panel focused on three main topics: ▶ Inspiration for Young People: Each panelist shared their personal journey to success, highlighting how their education in Bosnia & Herzegovina provided a solid foundation that enabled them to excel in other countries. They aimed to inspire young people to pursue their dreams and take advantage of the opportunities available in a connected world. ▶Connecting with Global Experts: We discussed the importance of integrating best practices learned in other countries into Bosnia & Herzegovina's industry and academia to foster innovation and progress. The panel emphasized how young people can connect with our brightest minds around the world to gain insights and mentorship. ▶Improving Opportunities for Young People: The panelists shared their ongoing and future initiatives aimed at enhancing opportunities for young people in Bosnia & Herzegovina. They discussed their efforts to establish mentorship programs, facilitate international collaborations, and create platforms for skill development and innovation. Their commitment to giving back to their homeland was evident as they outlined plans to bridge gaps and open new pathways for the next generation. ▶Our goal was to bridge the gap between academia and industry in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This panel discussion provided valuable insights from successful individuals who have built careers both within and beyond our borders, leveraging international best practices. ▶We gathered individuals who have successfully aligned academic goals with various sectors such as healthcare, economics, infrastructure, and more. By learning from their experiences, we aimed to create a synergy between these fields. ▶Through this panel, we fostered a robust dialogue among the public, professionals, and academics about the direction of our society. We recognized that achieving our desired future requires seamless mechanisms for daily knowledge transfer. ▶Bosnia & Herzegovina Futures Foundation has for over 8 years facilitated the transfer of knowledge between our brightest minds around the world and young people in the country through mentorship, conferences, projects, meetups, and other forms of engagement. This event was proudly supported by USAID Diaspora Invest Project. #LeadersOfTomorrow #BHFuturesFoundation #BanjaLuka #Bosnia #Herzegovina #Conference #Science #Engineering #Leadership

Our 2nd keynote at "Leader's of tomorrow" conference in Banja Luka is award winning young researcher Mladen Veletic who is speaking about molecular communications and their impact on revolutionising medicine 👇 Mladen is a distinguished researcher at Oslo University Hospital and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). Mladen's presentation explored the possibilities of integrating implants with sensors within the human body. His team presented a vision for a future where implants are integrated with numerous sensors. One of his research paper on this particular topic was published in a journal with an impact factor of 72. He emphasized the importance of distinguishing his work from computational biology, aiming to create complementary knowledge from ICT technologies. He described this concept as "connecting cells to the internet". Molecular communication involves the exchange of hormones and proteins between cells. Until 2007, extracellular vesicles (EVs) present in all cells were considered a waste. However, a Swedish researcher proved that they are communication mediators. EVs have become popular because they can preposition content, e.g. genetic content, with which it is possible to reprogram the cell. The applications of EVs include therapy, diagnostics, and intrabody communication. Mladen has developed a prototype nanonetwork-based on Molecular Communication platform, highlighting EVs' ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier. USAID Diaspora Invest Project Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Banja Luka Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Banja Luka #LeadersOfTomorrow #BHFuturesFoundation #BanjaLuka #Bosnia #Herzegovina #Conference #Science #Engineering #Leadership

Our "Leaders of tomorrow" conference has officially kicked off in Banja Luka with Vladana Grabež speaking about "Interdisciplinary research in food production" 👇 "Research on meat quality is crucial in understanding pre-mortem and post-mortem processes, including chromatographic analysis of meat with a focus on fatty acids. Additionally, I am researching muscle cells to advance knowledge in this field. In Norway, we face the challenge of having only 3% arable land, which forces us to optimize resources. In the poultry industry, it is necessary to increase calcium intake by 15%. One potential approach is the use of mussels as a source that can provide 50% of the required calcium for poultry. This is significant because, although we have little arable land, Norway has an extensive coastline and developed aquaculture. Another potential solution from aquaculture is feeding herbivores with seaweeds. Seaweeds are among the most diverse plants in the world in terms of nutrients, making them ideal for this purpose." USAID Diaspora Invest Project Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Banja Luka Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Banja Luka #LeadersOfTomorrow #BHFuturesFoundation #BanjaLuka #Bosnia #Herzegovina #Conference #Science #Engineering #Leadership

Sarajevo Film Festival season is just around the corner and that means it is time for our annual Sarajevo Bosnia & Herzegovina Professionals Meetup 👉 Saturday, August 17th, From 18:00 💙 After a very successful big meet last year with 150 guests from 20 countries, Bosnia and Herzegovina Futures Foundation invites you again to join us for an exclusive meetup event tailored for our community of professionals and individuals interested in learning more about our initiatives and various engagement opportunities. 💙Join fellow Bosnians/Herzegovinians to network, discover new business, academic and philanthropic opportunities. 💙Kindly register your attendance by August 16th, 2024 the latest through this registration form to secure your place at this gathering.  

Meet our six amazing speakers will inspire you on July 12 at "Leaders of tomorrow" in Banja Luka. 👇 💙Lejla Iriškić is an extremely successful electronics and hardware engineer at the global technology giant Apple 👉 She will speak on the topic "From small communities to large companies: The life of an engineer" 💙Dr. Mladen Veletic, Distinguished Researcher at the Department of Electronic Systems, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), and the Clinic for Technology and Innovation (The Intervention Centre), Oslo University Hospital 👉Molecular communication technology: revolutionizing medical intervention 💙Dr. Vladana Grabež Ph.D., Researcher and expert in food science, Fiskå Mølle, Norway 👉Interdisciplinary research in food/meat production At the special panel "Transfer of knowledge and innovation between BiH and our global community of experts" you will meet: 💙Dr. Marko Djukanovic is a prominent figure in the field of computing, currently employed as an assistant professor at the Faculty of Science and Mathematics in Banja Luka. An outstanding researcher who received his doctorate in Austria and returned to Banja Luka, where he now publishes world-class scientific works. 💙Dr. Nemanja Koljančić, Ph.D. is a scientific researcher in analytical chemistry at the Slovenská technická univerzita v Bratislave, where he received the dean's award for the best doctoral dissertation. 💙Dejana Ugrenovic is a data scientist at DeepIntent and a doctoral student at KU Leuven University in Belgium. During an exceptional career, she has contributed expertise in many countries and various industries through technical, leadership and research roles. Register via the QR code or link in comment Thank you Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Banja Luka, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Banja Luka and USAID Diaspora Invest Project