On Saturday, January 12, 2019, International University of Sarajevo (IUS) hosted Mr. Şekib Avdagiç ,the President of Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (who is also a member of our University Board of Trustees), and Mr. Erol M. Yarar, the founder and first president of Independent Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (MUSIAD), with their delegations. Over breakfast hosted by our foundation, the delegations met with the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey and the directors of the official Turkish institutions in BiH.
Delegations were welcomed by Mr. Hasan Toplaoglu, President of the Foundation for Education Development Sarajevo, and Prof. Dr. Ahmet Yıldırım, IUS Rector.
Rector of our University Dr. Yıldırım, among other things, introduced the guests from Turkey with the structure of teaching staff and student body of our University, the facts regarding its recognition, with planned promotional activities in the Balkans and Europe and the current situation.
First President of MUSIAD Erol M. Yarar, whilst expressing his satisfaction that this meeting is being held at our university, and whilst also congratulating the IUS administration for their successful work, stated that the International University of Sarajevo has so far given great contrubution to the strengthening of the ties between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Turkey, and that it will continue to do so in the future. Mr. Şekib Avdagiç, on the other hand, said that he testified the growth of the university since its establishment, and that he wants to appear as a partner of our university at the International Business Forum that will be organized in Sarajevo. After him, the Ambassador of Turkey to BiH, H. E. Haldun Koç, said that at this moment IUS is the most famous university in Turkey and at the same time the best address for studying in BiH: "For raising awareness and to confirm this fact, the visits of the high delegations are very important." Ambasador Koç concluded that when organizing activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, it is possible to achieve success through the collaboration of Turkish institutions, one of the most important being the IUS, and that today's visit supports this goal. At the end, Ambassador Koç thanked the IUS for support on various occasions and great cooperation. President of our foundation, Mr. Hasan Toplaoglu, emphasized the importance of this university for Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region, and expressed great satisfaction with the visit of these delegations.
At the end of the meeting, our university rector dr. Ahmet Yıldırım presented the tokens of appreciation to Mr. Erol Yarar and Mr. Şekib Avdagiç. After the Ambassadors and official delegations of Turkish institutions ended their visit, the Foundation for the Development of Education Sarajevo President, Mr. Hasan Toplaoglu before our foundation, and Mr. Erol Yarar before MUSAID, signed an agreement on mutual cooperation on the International Business Forum activities in October. After signing the agreement, the visit ended with a tour of the campus.