Sarajevo University Revokes Largest Hospital Director’s Diploma

The diploma of Sebija Izetbegovic, director of the Sarajevo Clinical Centre and professor at the Faculty of Medicine in the Bosnian capital, was revoked on Monday following an investigation into her master's qualifications.

The powerful wife of the former Bosniak political leader, Bakir Izetbegovic has been at the centre of controversy for years, after the senate of the University of Sarajevo could not find proof that she actually gained a master's degree in medicine, which was used as a base for doctoral studies. Izetbegovic says she studied in Sarajevo and in Croatia's capital Zagreb - from where she lacks proof of passing exams.

"The named person did not fulfil all the obligations in postgraduate studies at the Faculty of Medicine in Sarajevo in the manner and according to the procedures established by the regulations in the field of higher education that were in force at the time … that is, did not meet the prescribed conditions for obtaining the corresponding professional title of Master of Science," the Senate of University of Sarajevo stated after the meeting.

Even before her diploma was revoked, Izetbegovic was in the centre of attention for the way she was running the hospital. Prior to taking the position of the director of the University-Clinical Centre, Izetbegovic was a director of Sarajevo's Abdulah Nakas hospital - while also being serving in the Assembly of Sarajevo Canton, as well as in the Parliament of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Izetbegovic, a doctor of gynaecology, who is considered to be one of the most powerful persons in the Bosnian health system, denies wrongdoing and has announced criminal charges against the university's rector, Rifat Skrijelj, and the commission in charge of her diploma, in a...