Since May 2005 when the last issue of BJBMS was published, several distinguished scientists, founders of this Association that sprouted from the debris created by the tornado of human misunderstandings, made their final pass to the other side of the turbulent river of life. Over one thousand days that Sarajevo was under the siege, its proud citizens, joined more than ever through the unexpected evil, maintained all the forms of undergraduate and graduate education at the University, fully aware that any day may be their last.
Apart from participating in realization of numerous research projects, at the time supported by Open Society Fund “SOROS”, these modest great people significantly contributed to the establishment of an indexed journal. Today, it mostly publishes papers by young researchers.
In their respective environments where they acted as teachers and scientists all of them became parts of history that will be remembered by future generations. Pioneer work of these first graduate physicians, pharmacists and biologists after the World War II, set foundations for the establishment of institutions of science and education -institutes, chairs, bio-medical faculties in Sarajevo and other centers.
Professor Dr. Ilduza Bubić-Huković (15 April 1927-16 May 2005) was the first graduate physician to elect anatomy as her future scientific and academic field of interest. Together with her husband, she studied morphology of isolated organs with modesty and succes. With and without accompanying nerves, as politissue test models, they were generously used throughout the world in experimental research in basic medical science. Other than for her impressive scientific achievements, numerous generations remember her as an excellent educator as well as parent.
Professor Dr. Irfan Zulić (13 January 1932 -26 May 2005), Head of the Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology followed in the footsteps of legendary Academy members Pavao Stern and Seid Huković. He continued with modernization of scientific and academic foundations in order to provide young researchers with solid basis for competent work in the 21st century. Therefore, the title of The Humanist of the Decade, awarded to our deceased Chairman of the Steering Board and Editor in Chief by the International Ligue of Humanists, was fully warranted. In front of his office door numerous people of various academic and social status waited to see him every day, regardless of having an appointment. Most of those belonged to the group of the “humiliated and offended” and they frequented the man they trusted and envisaged as a wizard who was able to help in seemingly impossible situations. The master of human souls convincibly, gently, unobtrusively talked a person to the nirvana leaving him with a feeling that everything became less difficult, impossible made possible, irresolvable made solvable, obscure made clear, anxiety was lifted and resolution of psychological turmoil imaginable. Numerous associations, institutions, societies and citizens’ associations within our country and the world lost a distinguished member and a promoter of numerous leading scientific initiatives that served the purpose of the mankind.
Professor Dr. Branko Nikolin (20 October 1932 -9 June 2005) began his professional career at the School of Medicine Institute of Chemistry. As one of the founders of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Head of Institute for Drugs Control he continued intensive work on education of young scientists and educators. The city of Sarajevo was fortunate to have an expert of his qualifications within its boundaries. During the Olympics he facilitated doping control of the contestants which, at the time, presented a serious issue for much wealthier countries. His internationally acknowledged name was a guaranty of quality of teaching, education and science. He is respectfully spoken of by famous scientists such as Professor Dr. J. M. van Rossum.
He was one of those who acted in the spirit of saying by Preradović “… actions -actions without words”. He will be gladly remembered by all of his students and will never be forgotten by those whose academic careers he facilitated and self-lessly taught the most modern methods of the complex basic science he dedicated his life to. Professionals to be proud of and solid basis for future research are his most valuable legacy.
Academician Aleksandar Nikulin (28 September 1926-18 June 2005), Head of Institute of Pathology continued modernization of the Institute, education of young professionals and establishment of solid basis for scientific work presentable at the international market. Today, the Institute is one of the most modern units of Sarajevo School of Medicine and by using telediagnostic methods of communication, it is able to provide joint consulting with the most distinguished experts in the world at any moment in time.
Professor Dr. Ljubo Radić (26 April 1937-25 June 2005) from Tuzla was one of the founders of UBMZ and the first Head of Institute for histology and embryology in Tuzla. He was engaged at the School of Medicine in Tuzla since its establishing where, acting as Vice Dean, he significantly contributed to the development of educational process.
Please be informed that at the ABMS/UBMZ Assembly Session held on 13 August 2005, after the due respects to the deceased members were paid, a new Steering Board, Editorial Board and Editorial Council were appointed and entrusted with the duty to continue publication of four issues of the Journal per year.
Sarajevo, August, 2005
EDITORIAL BOARD