More than 150 students completed the education
BANJA LUKA, September 15 - More than 150 students from all seven madrasas in Bosnia and Herzegovina completed the nine-month education program "AI and Media Literacy for the Future", with the closing ceremony taking place in Banja Luka.
The project was implemented by the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, through the Directorate for External Affairs and Diaspora and the Directorate for Education and Science of the Riyaset of the Islamic Community, in cooperation with the European Union and the European External Action Service. The education was conducted across four modules, focusing on artificial intelligence, media literacy, critical thinking, recognizing manipulation and disinformation, and the responsible use of new technologies.
At the closing ceremony, the attendees were addressed by the Mufti of Banja Luka, Ismail-ef. Smajlović, the envoy of the Grand Mufti (Reisu-l-ulema) of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
"I am particularly glad that you chose Banja Luka for the formal conclusion, because those of us who live and work here, who commit ourselves to promoting values and goodness, strive to paint life in Banja Luka with more beautiful colors that will direct life into a more pleasant area of mutual understanding and respect," said Mufti Smajlović. He added that technological advancements and human reason will find common ground for physical needs, but will not be able to replace emotions, states of spirit, and morality: "In this area too, it is important to preserve the foundations of morality, ethics, justice, respect, and other virtues of the human being."
The first workshops and lectures were held on January 15 in Mostar, which marked the beginning of the first module. In the months that followed, students learned about the opportunities and challenges brought by artificial intelligence through lectures, workshops, and practical work, with a special emphasis on the responsible use of technology and the development of a critical approach to information. The final program brought together students and professors from all seven madrasas, representatives of the Riyaset of the Islamic Community, as well as project partners and representatives of the European Union.
The Head of the Department for Cooperation with State Institutions and Non-Governmental Organizations in the Directorate for External Affairs and Diaspora of the Riyaset of the Islamic Community in BiH, Dr. Medina Mehmedović-Mulalić, stated that the project was designed to offer students contemporary knowledge about artificial intelligence, while also developing their critical approach to technology.
"The project 'AI and Media Literacy for the Future' was designed to offer madrasa students the latest insights and trends when it comes to artificial intelligence – how to use it, how to use it responsibly, and how to develop critical thinking. Over 150 students from all seven madrasas went through this project. The goal was for madrasa students to transition from the role of users into digital leaders – young people who understand modern technologies and know how to use them responsibly and thoughtfully," said Mehmedović-Mulalić.
The nine-month work of the students and their mentors was presented at the closing ceremony through project works and presentations, focusing on how participants applied their new knowledge to their own ideas and content.
"Today we are here to crown our nine-month work, and the students showed through their presentations how, when creating certain projects and ideas, they used artificial intelligence and applied media literacy. We strive to offer madrasa students, with the support of our European partners and the European Union, the best and most modern tools, and for our madrasas to be an avant-garde when it comes to artificial intelligence and all other important areas we encounter," she noted.
According to project manager Dr. Melika Arifhodžić, this project is part of a multi-year cooperation between the Islamic Community and the European Union through youth programs within the My Place in the EU platform. "AI and Media Literacy for the Future" is the fifth project implemented with EU support, following programs that covered various current topics.
For the students, this project was an opportunity to apply the knowledge acquired during their education to their own project tasks. Among them was Sumeja Keranović, a student at the Gazi Husrev-bey Madrasa in Sarajevo, who described the experience as extremely significant.
"It is truly a huge pleasure for me to have had the opportunity to participate in the 'AI and Media Literacy for the Future' project, because this is of great use to us young people. Artificial intelligence is our future, and I am genuinely very grateful that through this project we have become responsible and conscientious young digital citizens and acquired wonderful and useful knowledge," emphasized Keranović.
Also among the attendees was Muaz Čehajić, a student at the "Osman-efendija Redžović" Madrasa. He and his team worked on a project idea that they presented at the closing ceremony.
"Through this education, I became much more aware of artificial intelligence and its possibilities. Together with my team, I tried to present our project about Čajangrad in the best possible way. I hope that we will be able to use the acquired knowledge and skills in the coming period as well, through our education and activities," said Čehajić.
The conclusion of the project was marked by the awarding of certificates to the students and coordinating professors who participated. The certificates were presented by Haris Avdić Pejičić, representative of the European External Action Service, Melika Arifhodžić, the project manager, and Dr. Medina Mehmedović-Mulalić and Seid-ef. Eminović, representatives of the Riyaset of the Islamic Community.
This concluded the nine-month education program through which students, along with learning about the capabilities of artificial intelligence, developed media literacy and critical thinking – skills they will be able to apply in their continuing education and everyday digital environments.
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