ESAD DURATOVIĆ ENROLLS IN UNIVERSITY IN HIS SEVENTH DECADE OF LIFE

In the halls of the Faculty of Technology at the University of Banja Luka, surrounded by young students rushing to class, one face stands out — calm, smiling, and marked by quiet determination.

PHOTO: Univerzitet u Banjaluci

Esad Duratović is 63 years old and currently studying Chemical Engineering and Technology. His presence commands admiration and respect, carrying with it a story of perseverance, a love for knowledge, and a belief that it is never too late to pursue one’s dreams.

Born in Berkovica near Lukavac, Esad completed primary school and an economics-focused high school before enrolling at the Faculty of Technology in Tuzla. In his second year, he decided to transfer to Banja Luka, motivated by family ties.

“My brother studied there. He always said how beautiful Banja Luka is, so I wanted to see for myself,” Esad recalls.

Soon after enrolling as a final-year student, Esad began traveling frequently to Germany for work. In the early 1990s, he settled there permanently and started a family.

“It wasn’t easy there either. Wherever you go, you’re always a foreigner and everything starts from scratch. I worked various jobs, mostly in hospitality. All those years, one desire never faded — to complete what I once set out to do. But there was always something missing, either money or time,” he explains.

With strong encouragement from his wife, Esad made the decision to return to university and finish his studies.

“Without her support, I couldn’t have done any of this. She is my wind at my back,” he says with a smile, reminding us just how important understanding, respect, and love are.

He also expresses deep gratitude to the leadership of BVG Berlin, the company where he works, for providing significant support and opportunities for advancement.

Returning to academic life required effort, discipline, and a willingness to adapt.

“It wasn’t easy, but I had Jovan — he helped me a lot,” Duratović says.

Despite the challenges, Esad quickly fit in. His professors and teaching assistants describe him as exceptionally hardworking and dedicated, while younger colleagues often mention that his energy and composure are a source of inspiration.

Esad’s journey is not only a story about education — it is a story about courage, persistence, and the power to begin again. And perhaps it is in that classroom, surrounded by books and formulas, that Duratović reminds both himself and others each day that dreams should never be retired.