IUS Hosts the First Sarajevo ACM Celebration of Women in Computing – SCWiC 2026
The International University of Sarajevo (IUS) hosted the first Sarajevo ACM Celebration of Women in Computing, SCWiC 2026, on May 19, 2026. Organized by the Sarajevo ACM-W Professional Chapter and supported by ACM-W Europe, the full-day program welcomed over 100 participants, including students, academics, researchers, and professionals, for a celebration dedicated to women in computing, inclusion, research, and the ethical, equitable, and sustainable use of technology.
SCWiC 2026 represents an important milestone for the local computing community, as the first ACM Celebration of Women in Computing to be organized in Sarajevo. As part of the global ACM-W network of celebrations, the event set out to recognize the achievements of women in technology, encourage future computing professionals, and open space for discussion on the role of computing in addressing societal challenges.
The program began with a welcome address by Dr. Kanita Karađuzović-Hadžiabdić, Vice Rector for International Cooperation and Research. Welcoming participants to the International University of Sarajevo, she underlined the value of initiatives that advance research, international cooperation, and the visibility of women in STEM fields, and connected the celebration to the university's wider commitment to education and innovation.
This was followed by a session from Dr. Amal Mersni, Chair of the Sarajevo ACM-W Professional Chapter, who introduced ACM-W and the work of the Sarajevo chapter. Dr. Mersni outlined the chapter's mission and activities, its role in connecting students, academics, and industry professionals, and its contribution to building opportunities for the computing community in Bosnia and Herzegovina. She also noted that ACM-W and SCWiC welcome all members of the computing community who wish to support a more inclusive and collaborative environment.
An online talk followed, delivered by Dr. Asegul Hulus, member of the ACM-W Global Professional Chapters Committee, under the title "Women Always Belong in Computing: A Personal Journey." Reflecting on her own path in computing, Dr. Hulus spoke about curiosity, persistence, and the importance of finding a community in which different voices are recognized and valued, leaving participants with the message that belonging in technology is not something to be earned later but something they already have the right to claim.
The program continued with a student panel, "Our Experiences at ACM-W's womENcourage Celebration," which brought together students and alumni who had taken part in ACM-W's womENcourage 2025 in Brașov, Romania. In an open discussion, the panelists reflected on poster presentations, scholarships, networking, and international collaboration, and offered practical advice for students interested in becoming more involved with ACM-W and in presenting their work at future local and international events.
In the afternoon, participants joined a hands-on workshop, "A Data-Driven Workshop on Making Sustainable Decisions for Your Community," led by Dr. Özge Büyükdağlı, Vice Chair of the Sarajevo ACM-W Professional Chapter. Drawing on a participant survey and real-world sustainability data, the workshop encouraged students to think critically about sustainability and decision-making, and to recognize how engineering and computing choices carry social, environmental, and economic consequences.
The final part of the day featured a poster session under the theme "Computing in My Field: Ethics, Equity and Sustainability," in which students from universities across Sarajevo presented early-stage research and project ideas linking computing to broader societal questions. The session included a Best Poster Award competition, evaluated by a jury that brought together academic and industry perspectives: Dr. Ali Almisreb, Andrea Hrustemović, Jasna Pleho, and Dajana Zildžić. The format gave students the opportunity to present their work, receive feedback, and take part in academic discussion in a supportive setting.
SCWiC 2026 concluded with an awards ceremony and networking session that brought together participants, presenters, speakers, and organizers. The event marked an important step in strengthening the Sarajevo ACM-W Professional Chapter's role as a local platform for research visibility, mentorship, professional development, and international engagement.
By hosting SCWiC 2026, the International University of Sarajevo reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive academic initiatives, to promoting women in computing, and to encouraging students to take an active role in research and professional communities. The first edition of SCWiC demonstrated the value of creating local spaces where students can share their work, connect with peers and mentors, and recognize that they belong in computing.
