At the BioSense Institute, an amphitheatre bearing the name of  Dr Vasko Sazdovski, a colleague who tragically lost his life in the collapse of the railway station canopy on 1 November 2024, was ceremonially opened today. By opening this space, the Institute paid lasting tribute to a colleague whose work, energy, and personality left a profound mark on the community.

The visual identity of the amphitheatre was designed by academic artist Svetlana Milić, while the artistic concept of the space was created to preserve the memory of Dr Vasko Sazdovski in a dignified and symbolic manner.

Prof Dr Vesna Bengin explained that the artistic solution was inspired by his scientific curiosity and energy, comparable to the movement of stars. Part of the artistic installation represents the Milky Way, as a metaphor for knowledge and continuity.

“A segment of the cosmos in which the star Antares shines symbolizes Vasko’s creative spirit and his inner light. On the right side, you can see a geometric structure of birds marking the space of his life and work,” Prof Dr Bengin noted.

Dr Vasko Sazdovski’s godfather, Zoran Nikolov, emphasized that a future filled with great ideas lay ahead of him, and that he spoke with particular affection about Novi Sad and the BioSense Institute.

“His dedication to science was inspiring and contagious, and may it remind us to be brave, to follow our dreams, to continue exploring and believing. This amphitheatre will not only bear his name—it will carry his spirit as well. May it remind us that some people never truly leave; they become a light that guides us forward,” said Nikolov.

Director of the BioSense Institute, Prof Dr Vladimir Crnojević, highlighted that the institution is made up of people from different parts of the world, and that within the BioSense family, Dr Vasko Sazdovski was recognizable for his smile and warmth, as well as for his professional contribution.

He noted that the amphitheatre bearing his name is special not only for its architectural design, but also for its function and aesthetics.

“Together with this building, which is something truly special, it should live for a long time, so that today’s scientists and the future of Serbia may use it with the best intentions and for the highest purpose—to develop science and free thought here. Through that, Vasko’s name will live on,” Prof Dr Crnojević said.

Dr. Vasko Sazdovski earned his PhD at Cranfield University in the United Kingdom. Over a career spanning more than two decades, he worked in the fields of robotics and autonomous systems, holding positions in institutions in North Macedonia, Germany, and Croatia, before continuing his professional path at the BioSense Institute in Novi Sad.

The ceremony was symbolically held on World Robotics Day, in remembrance of a scientist whose work and ideas have left a lasting legacy.