Edmond Offermann, representative of the Three Physicists Foundation, has issued a strong public appeal to the City Council of Sarajevo, warning that the proposed “Plan Kvadrant C – Marijin Dvor” could jeopardize a major international scientific research initiative tied to CERN and the University of Sarajevo.
According to Offermann, the Three Physicists Foundation has already invested approximately 4.5 million EUR into the development of an advanced research program in cooperation with CERN in Geneva. The project is planned for the campus of the University of Sarajevo, near the Faculty of Natural Sciences, and is being developed under the oversight of the University of Sarajevo Rectorate (UNSA), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and CERN.
The initiative is designed to begin with the establishment of an ion-source laboratory and later expand into highly specialized fields, including radioisotope production for cancer treatment and materials science research. Supporters of the project say it would significantly strengthen Sarajevo’s academic reputation and encourage the development of high-tech industry in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
However, Offermann warned that the current urban development proposal for Marijin Dvor could bring the entire project to a halt. The controversial plan includes the construction of a public road and parking facilities on or near university property connected to the planned research center.
“The years of work invested in this project are now at risk,” Offermann stated, adding that neither the Foundation nor international partners were informed that nearby university land could be redirected toward non-academic purposes.
The issue has already sparked criticism from the Senate of the University of Sarajevo, which previously addressed the City Council through an open letter expressing opposition to the proposed urban plan.
Offermann also raised broader concerns regarding the governance and protection of university property, criticizing what he described as political interference in university affairs. He argued that stripping administrative authority from the University Senate was unacceptable and warned against development projects that, in his view, lack a credible long-term vision for Sarajevo.
In his statement, Offermann compared the situation to controversial privatization and corporate takeover practices seen in the post-Yugoslav period.
The Three Physicists Foundation is now urging the Sarajevo City Council not to approve “Plan Kvadrant C – Marijin Dvor” in its current form and is calling for independent and politically neutral experts to be included in any future revisions of the proposal.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the project, Offermann reaffirmed the Foundation’s support for the University Senate and pledged continued backing for efforts aimed at protecting scientific research and higher education in Sarajevo.
