Sarajevo, July 10, 2024 - The "Knowledge Olympiad" Foundation has started its work in Sarajevo, focusing on strengthening and reforming the educational system with the aim of acquiring functional knowledge among children, students, and pupils. The founders of this non-governmental and non-profit organization are academician, Prof. Dr. Mirko Pejanović, emeritus Prof. Dr. Željko Šain, and Mr. Oec. Sci. Muhamed Pilav, a successful entrepreneur with domestic and foreign experience.

The purpose of the Foundation's work is, as stated, to improve the competencies of children by raising the status of teachers and enhancing functional knowledge. The Foundation will provide scholarships for talented students, conduct educational programs for children, parents, and educational staff, and organize competitions in knowledge from various disciplines.

"Knowledge is the only true strength and power that leads humanity and civilization towards a prosperous future. For knowledge to be effective, it must have the right content and a structured system. This is what the 'Knowledge Olympiad' Foundation enables. I dedicate my whole life to acquiring and applying humane productive knowledge for the benefit of humanity and the social community. This is the meaning of life. Join us in achieving the noblest goals through the Foundation and similar forms of engagement. For our better future,” said emeritus Prof. Dr. Željko Šain, a member of the Foundation's Board of Directors.

As a strategic challenge, the Foundation has identified the "imperative to ensure every child in Bosnia and Herzegovina a bright childhood in excellent kindergartens by 2028 while striving for every student to possess functional literacy by 2040, and for our country to rank among the top 20 according to relevant international standards of functional knowledge, such as PISA tests."

“The philosophical, sociological, and psychological function of knowledge is the foundation of societal development. Knowledge creates perspectives on life and work, determining our behavior and our future. That is why we want to gather all progressive forces through the Foundation to develop ourselves, our loved ones, and certainly our Bosnia and Herzegovina. Without modern and productive knowledge, there is no survival, and thus no development. We must not allow passive observation of events and trends around us to jeopardize the future of our children and youth. Therefore, we continuously and systematically acquire knowledge,” emphasized academician Prof. Dr. Mirko Pejanović, Chairman of the Foundation's Board of Directors.

In the Foundation, knowledge is emphasized as a key value of any society. Creativity and innovation in building and sharing knowledge will be encouraged and sought after. Competition in knowledge with the best will be promoted and supported, honesty and integrity will be nurtured, and the Foundation will serve children and society with all its heart.

“Through my long-term cooperation with serious international companies (IKEA, MONDI PACKAGING, ASSIDOMAN, etc.), I understood that knowledge is the key to every success. However, our educational system is outdated and not in line with global trends. We are particularly lagging behind in the early stages of education. That is why I decided to establish a Foundation with friends that will vigorously advocate for the improvement of the status of teachers and professors, as well as for the functional knowledge of children. Only in this way can we progress and be competitive in both the domestic and global markets,” said Mr. Oec. Sci. Muhamed Pilav, entrepreneur and member of the Foundation's Board of Directors.

The goals of the Foundation's work are availability of excellent kindergartens and schools, participation of children in preschool education, top quality programs, social inclusion, cooperation with parents, monitoring student results on PISA tests with the aim of gaining an objective insight into their abilities in reading, mathematics, and science, and tracking the position of Bosnia and Herzegovina on the global education ranking, success of students in further education, and innovations in teaching.