The NextAIRE Sarajevo Summer School in Next-Generation Air Quality kicked off on 7 September 2026 at the University of Sarajevo – Faculty of Science, bringing together researchers, project partners and experts for three days of learning, knowledge exchange and collaboration.
The Summer School is organised by the University of Sarajevo – Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry, together with the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Information Technology Osijek (FERIT).
Day 1 – Air Quality Monitoring, Sensors and Environmental Intelligence
The first day opened with welcome remarks from representatives of the University of Sarajevo and the NextAIRE project, followed by keynote lectures addressing important challenges and new approaches in air-quality research.
The keynote programme covered:
- Air Quality Monitoring in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Current Challenges and Future Prospects
- From aerosol chemistry to environmental policy: Introduction to receptor modelling for PM source apportionment
- Urban new particle formation and atmospheric parameters
The afternoon continued with a full programme of hard-skills sessions, covering fundamental and practical aspects of modern air-quality monitoring.
Participants explored topics including particulate matter, air-quality measurements, sensor reliability, low-cost sensors supported by machine learning, environmental intelligence, air-quality management, IoT-based environmental monitoring, mobile measurements, air-quality mapping and data interpretation.
The day also included a guided tour of the Faculty and its research laboratories.
A special thank you to Dr Sabina Žero and the University of Sarajevo – Faculty of Science team for their excellent organisation and warm hospitality, as well as to all speakers and participants who contributed to a successful first day.
Day 2 – Artificial Intelligence, Data Tools, Co-Creation and Soft Skills
Today, 8 September 2026, the Summer School continues with a strong focus on Artificial Intelligence, practical data tools, co-creation and transferable skills.
09:00–12:00 | Hard-Skills Sessions
The morning programme includes:
Introduction to Neural Networks
Antonio Antunović and Mislav Ćaleta – FERIT
Introduction of the NextAIRE Data Platform – Hands-on Session
Alexander Hiebl and Heimo Gursch – Know Center Research GmbH
AI Challenges
Dr Sead Delalić – Olden Labs / University of Sarajevo – Faculty of Science
The Model That Never Saw Your Data: Modern AI Tools for Air-Quality Time Series
Prof. Emmanuel Karlo Nyarko – FERIT
13:00–14:00 | Co-Creation Activity
Participants will take part in a dedicated co-creation activity on the NextAIRE Competency Framework.
The activity will support the development of the framework by bringing together participants’ perspectives on the knowledge and skills needed by researchers working with Artificial Intelligence and air-quality challenges.
14:00–16:00 | Soft-Skills Sessions
The afternoon programme moves from technical training to innovation, research uptake, policy and international cooperation, with sessions including:
Product Development Lifecycle
Zvonimir Anic – Smart Sense
Session by Dr Lejla Gurbeta Pokvić
Director – Verlab Institute
Nobody Buys an R²: Turning Research into Product(s)
Dejan Strbad – Ascalia / Kraken
Science-to-Policy Translation
Jon Switters – The Lisbon Council
Intercultural Cooperation within the Western Balkan Countries
Prof. Dr Damir Marjanović – Institute for Anthropological Research
16:30–19:00 | Networking and Sarajevo Guided Tour
Day 2 will conclude with a networking event, dinner and guided tour of Sarajevo, providing further opportunities for participants to exchange ideas, strengthen professional connections and explore future collaboration.
The first two days of the Summer School demonstrate the NextAIRE approach of combining scientific knowledge, practical training, AI skills, transferable skills and international collaboration to support the next generation of researchers working on air quality.
Stay tuned for more updates from Sarajevo!