HISTORY OF THE FACULTY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF SARAJEVO

Civil Engineering – One of the Oldest Human Activities

Establishment of the University of Sarajevo and the Faculty of Technical Sciences

The University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s first higher education institution, was officially inaugurated in 1949, after several individual faculties were established in the short period after the end of the Second World War. The beginning of the Faculty of Civil Engineering in Sarajevo dates back to early autumn 1949.

Previously, by a decree of the Government of the then People’s Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, dated 20 May 1949, the Faculty of Technical Sciences in Sarajevo was established, comprising two departments: Civil Engineering and Architecture. Its study programme was primarily focused on civil engineering.

The extensive destruction caused by the Second World War, the need for reconstruction and the ambition to build a modern and sustainable country placed the civil engineering profession at the forefront. The establishment of the Faculty of Technical Sciences, one of the first technical faculties of the newly founded University, marked an important step in developing higher education and training the professionals needed for the country’s reconstruction and development.

The founding members of the Faculty of Technical Sciences were Professor Alojzije Horvat, Professor Dr Rajko Kušević and Professor Milenko Jakovljević, professors from the technical faculties in Ljubljana, Zagreb and Belgrade. Professor Aleksander Trumić was appointed the first Dean of the Faculty of Technical Sciences in Sarajevo, while Professor Jahiel Finci was appointed Vice-Dean.

The Faculty commenced its activities in October 1949, in the building of the Institute for Testing Materials and Soil of the Ministry of Construction of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, at 10a Skenderija Street in Sarajevo. Its official opening ceremony was held on 24 October 1949.

Shortly afterwards, on 2 December 1949, the University of Sarajevo was formally inaugurated, with the Faculty of Technical Sciences among its first constituent members. The process of establishing the University of Sarajevo’s first faculties began as early as 1946.

Due to a lack of space, the Faculty moved the following year to 20 Vase Miskina Street, today’s Ferhadija Street, where it remained for the next ten years.

Development of Experimental and Scientific Research Activities

Experimental and research work has been an integral part of the Faculty of Civil Engineering’s activities since its establishment. Soon after the Faculty was founded, it took steps to establish institutes that would provide the foundation for specialised research and professional activities. These institutes subsequently evolved into the institutes of the Faculty of Civil Engineering in Sarajevo.

Their development was marked by the following dates:

• 3 November 1950 – the Institute for Testing Materials and Structures was established;
• 15 March 1953 – the Institute of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology was established;
• 4 June 1954 – the Institute of Geotechnics and Foundation Engineering was established;
• 15 June 1954 – the Institute of Hydraulic Engineering was established;
• 26 March 1963 – the Institute of Transport was established.

The Library of the Faculty of Technical Sciences was established as early as 1949, while the Laboratory for Experimental Structural Analysis was founded in 1955.

The establishment of institutes, the library and laboratories enabled the development of teaching, experimental and scientific research activities, as well as the integration of theoretical knowledge with practical challenges in the civil engineering profession.

Development of the Faculty of Technical Sciences and Its Independence in 1961

Nine years after the establishment of the Civil Engineering and Architecture Departments within the Faculty of Technical Sciences, a new Mechanical Engineering Department was established at the Faculty of Technical Sciences in Sarajevo on 20 June 1958. Two years later, on 16 September 1960, an Electrical Engineering programme was established within that department.

The further development of technical disciplines and the need for their independent organisation led to the reorganisation of the Faculty of Technical Sciences. At the beginning of the 1961/1962 academic year, specifically on 1 October 1961, four independent faculties were established from the Faculty of Technical Sciences of the University of Sarajevo:

• Faculty of Civil Engineering in Sarajevo;
• Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning in Sarajevo;
• Faculty of Mechanical Engineering in Sarajevo;
• Faculty of Electrical Engineering in Sarajevo.

As a result, the Faculty of Civil Engineering became an independent higher education institution within the University of Sarajevo. After separating from the joint Faculty of Technical Sciences, Professor Emil Janaček was appointed Dean, and Professor Ismet Aganović was appointed Vice-Dean.

Relocation to the Building at Patriotske lige Street

At the beginning of the 1961/1962 academic year, the Faculty of Civil Engineering moved to a new teaching building at 30 Patriotske lige Street in Sarajevo, where it remains today. This relocation resolved a significant shortage of space for teaching, scientific research and other Faculty activities.

Three additional buildings were constructed in the immediate vicinity of the new teaching building. During 1961 and 1962, these buildings accommodated the institutes and departments of the Faculty of Civil Engineering in Sarajevo. Organisational units of the Faculty, including departments, chairs and institutes, continue to operate in these buildings today.

The new facilities enabled further improvements in teaching, the development of specialised research activities and the strengthening of the Faculty’s professional engagement.

Establishment of the Institute of Transport and Introduction of Geodetic Education

Immediately after the relocation to the new buildings, at the end of 1962, the institutes of the former Faculty of Technical Sciences evolved into independent scientific research institutions.

On 26 March 1963, the Institute of Transport of the Faculty of Civil Engineering in Sarajevo was established. Its establishment was closely linked to the development of transport infrastructure and the need to educate professionals who would participate in the planning, design, construction and improvement of transport systems.

A particularly important change took place in 1973. On 17 July 1973, the Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted a decision to abolish the then Higher School of Geodesy in Sarajevo. On 4 September of the same year, it adopted a decision to establish a Geodesy programme at the Faculty of Civil Engineering in Sarajevo.

The introduction of the Geodesy programme significantly expanded the Faculty’s educational scope and professional activities. This largely completed its organisational structure at the time, which subsequently continued to evolve in response to the needs of the civil engineering and geodetic professions.

Over time, specialised departments and chairs were established, while the institutes evolved into more developed research institutions. Changes in higher education legislation also brought about changes in the legal status of the Faculty and its institutes.

Development of Study Programmes and Adaptation to New Knowledge

In line with organisational changes, technological progress and new scientific findings, study plans and programmes were continuously revised and adapted. The development of study programmes reflected changes in the civil engineering and geodetic professions, as well as society’s need for new knowledge and competencies.

Throughout its activities, the Faculty developed teaching, scientific research and professional work in various fields of civil engineering and geodesy. Its departments, chairs, institutes and research units provided the foundation for educating professionals and developing specialised scientific disciplines.

International Cooperation and the Professional Contribution of Graduates

Construction is an activity that knows no borders. Generations of former students of the Faculty of Civil Engineering in Sarajevo contributed to the development of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the former Yugoslavia, while also demonstrating their knowledge and expertise beyond our country’s borders.

Their professional contributions included participation in major and significant construction projects, ranging from monumental structures in former Non-Aligned countries to projects in the world’s most technologically advanced Western countries. Graduates of the Faculty also achieved outstanding results in scientific research, including work at prestigious universities.

International cooperation has been an important part of the Faculty’s development. Numerous professors, teaching assistants and associates undertook academic visits to prominent foreign higher education institutions, participated in scientific research projects and completed doctoral dissertations. At the same time, many of them contributed to the construction and reconstruction of a large number of facilities through their work at the Faculty’s institutes or as consultants for companies involved in the design and construction of buildings and infrastructure.

Today’s students also find employment in Bosnia and Herzegovina and around the world, including in countries recognised as among the most technologically advanced, thanks to the knowledge and skills they gain at the Faculty.

Civil Engineering in the Modern World

Throughout history, technological changes have occurred at an increasingly rapid pace, yet the civil engineering profession remains indispensable. Like other technical disciplines, it continuously adapts to changes, new knowledge and technological achievements, a process that the Faculty of Civil Engineering of the University of Sarajevo also strives to follow.

In today’s world and in light of its achievements, buildings and infrastructure occupy a special place, particularly monumental structures, some of which are thousands of years old. The built environment on Earth is more extensive than ever before, and the last 150 years have represented a particularly significant period in the development of construction.

At first glance, the construction of new buildings and infrastructure may appear to be the primary task of civil engineers. However, given the increasing development and occupation of available space, existing structures have gained growing importance in recent decades. These structures often need to be renovated, adapted to new requirements, expanded or reconstructed.

Special attention is devoted to cultural and historical buildings that we seek to preserve for future generations. Their protection and restoration represent an important professional responsibility, as well as an obligation towards the heritage we have inherited and must preserve.

The importance of construction becomes particularly evident during periods of reconstruction and development. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the civil engineering profession played an exceptionally important role in post-war reconstruction, and its significance remains substantial in contemporary processes involving infrastructure development, improvement of the built environment and preservation of existing structures.

Seventy Years of Development and Contribution to the Profession

During its first 70 years of operation, the Faculty of Civil Engineering of the University of Sarajevo achieved significant results in education, scientific research and the development of the civil engineering and geodetic professions.

During this period, the Faculty graduated several thousand engineers and awarded master’s and doctoral degrees. Several hundred distinguished professionals, scientists and professors worked in its departments, chairs, institutes and research units, alongside a large number of employees in supporting services. Their collective contribution enabled significant achievements and established the Faculty as a respected and renowned higher education and scientific research institution.

The Faculty’s long-standing development has been characterised by organisational changes, improvements in curricula and study programmes, the development of laboratories and institutes, the expansion of professional fields and the strengthening of international cooperation. All these activities contributed to establishing an educational and research foundation for the continuous development of civil engineering and geodesy in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The legacy created by generations of academic staff, associates, researchers and other employees represents an important part of the Faculty’s history. Their work, together with the achievements of former students, confirms the Faculty’s significance in the development of higher education, science and professional practice.

Since the establishment of the Faculty of Technical Sciences in 1949, the Faculty of Civil Engineering of the University of Sarajevo has continuously developed its educational, scientific, and professional activities, striving to respond to changes in the profession and society’s needs. Its mission remains focused on educating competent professionals, advancing scientific research and improving the civil engineering and geodetic professions, while preserving the values and knowledge created by previous generations.