Dr. Edhem Čustović

Australian-Bosnian engineer, academic, entrepreneur, innovator, thought leader, philanthropist, mentor, business developer, global citizen and ambassador of all things related to Bosnia & Herzegovina. He is currently an academic in the School of Computing, Engineering & Mathematical Sciences at La Trobe University, Australia and is also the co-founder and managing director of Scientific Instrumen

ts Australia. As a 7 year old, he was forced to flee his homeland along with his parents and brother as a result of the war that took place from 1992-1995. With a passion for engineering, science, education, entrepreneurship, innovation and commercialisation, Eddie Custovic is a highly driven and inspirational individual with the ability to deliver exceptional project outcomes as well as inspire . He is an engineer, cross disciplinary researcher and facilitator of multi stakeholder investigations, publication/private initiatives and commercial projects. He has worked on cutting edge R&D projects all over the world, securing millions of dollars of funding in a variety of sectors including; defence, communications, power, food & agriculture, automotive, health, sports technology and civil/construction. He is highly driven with standout leadership capabilities that have enabled him to become one of the youngest senior leaders and board members within the IEEE, the world's largest professional organisation for engineers. He has a passion for innovation, design thinking and entrepreneurship that have culminated into a deep commitment to making positive change for the world. For Eddie, the intersection between scientific innovation and human empowerment is where we can really “disrupt the future”. His motivation is to use the powers of engineering, education, networking, entrepreneurial mindset and the spirit of positive change to empower individuals and grow local economies while delivering the scientific advancements of our finest minds for the benefit of future generations. Eddie is extremely well travelled. His multicultural background, multilingualism and enables him to take a politically and culturally sensitive approach to life, volunteer roles and professional career. Eddie is an academic and industry project manager in the School of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, La Trobe University and is the founder & director of the La Trobe innovation & Entrepreneurship Foundry (LIEF), the first interdisciplinary R & D centre that fuses together industry and academia. The centre focuses on strategic and translational research and innovation through integration of complementary research expertise, incubator of ideas and educational echosystem for students & young professionals. The LIEF lab is currently operational in Melbourne and Bendigo Australia and will also officially be opened in Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina in 2017. He is heavily involved in student mentoring and thrives on further developing student and young professionals communication, leaderships and entrepreneurial attributes. He is a tireless ambassador for STEM education, Women in Engineering and humanitarian actions. This is evident through his continued work to bridge the gap between primary/secondary/university education and industry, as well as his efforts to reform outdated educational systems worldwide. His work with students and employability was formally recognised in 2015 when he was awarded the Vice-Chancellor’s award for supporting student employability. Eddie was also the recipient of the IEEE Global Young Professionals Achievement Award highlighting his competence and contributions to this 400,000 member professional organisation. In 2015, along with his brother Resad Custovic he founded the Bosnia & Herzegovina Futures Foundation that empowers youth through education, technology, mobility, & leadership development. Their life goal & vision is to bring positive change to a country that has been ravaged by war & ethnic division. He is an active contributor to Online & Print Media globally, TV & Radio on topic of engineering, technology, innovation, entrepreneurship, youth employment, human empowerment and education. He is the recipient of one of the most prestigious awards for young engineers, the 2022 IEEE Theodore W. Hissey Outstanding Young Professional Award for "For leadership in the empowerment and development of technology professionals globally."