In October this year, I was forced to rusticate from the University of Oxford for a simple reason: I could no longer afford the tuition needed to continue my studies.

My name is Omer Mihović, and in 2023 I matriculated at St Edmund Hall, University of Oxford, where I am pursuing an undergraduate Master’s degree in Biochemistry. Studying at Oxford has been the greatest academic opportunity of my life — and one that was made possible entirely through the support of my community.

When I first received my offer from Oxford, my community in Sandžak came together in an extraordinary way. Through a local fundraising effort, 431 donors contributed more than €70,000, allowing me to begin my studies. My family and I also contributed everything we could through work and personal savings.

Without that collective effort, I would never have been able to attend Oxford.

For the past two years I have worked hard to make that opportunity count — participating in conferences, hackathons, and academic work related to biochemistry, biotechnology, and synthetic biology.

Unfortunately, the remaining tuition required to complete my degree is now beyond what my family and community can raise again. Economic conditions and changing circumstances mean that the support that made the first two years possible simply cannot be repeated.

Because of this, I had to formally rusticate in October.

What This Fundraiser Is For

The amount required for me to return and complete my Oxford degree is £54,990.

This campaign is strictly for tuition.

I will cover all other expenses — including visa costs, living expenses, and personal costs — through work and family support.

If this campaign reaches its goal, the funds will go directly toward paying my Oxford tuition so that I can return and finish my degree.

Why This Matters

I am the first Bosniak from my community in Sandžak to attend Oxford. If I am able to return and graduate, I would become the first person from my entire region to earn a degree from the University of Oxford.

Completing this degree would allow me to continue building expertise in biotechnology and synthetic biology — fields that are shaping the future of science and medicine.

More importantly, it would allow me to bring knowledge, experience, and opportunities back to a region where access to global academic institutions is extremely rare. My long-term goal is not only to build a career in biotechnology, but also to help expand educational opportunities and mentorship for students from my community.

Representation matters. Access matters. Finishing this degree would show students in my region that opportunities like this are possible.

Transparency

I understand that £54,990 is a significant amount, and I do not make this request lightly.

I am committed to full transparency throughout this campaign:

I will provide updates as the campaign progresses.

I will share confirmation once the tuition payment has been made.

Any funds raised beyond the goal will go strictly toward academic costs.

How You Can Help

If you are able to contribute — even a small amount — it would help me move closer to returning to Oxford and completing my degree.

If donating is not possible, sharing this campaign would make an enormous difference.

Every contribution and every share helps bring this goal within reach.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for supporting this effort.

— Omer Mihović

(This campaign is being organised by David Hrushovski, Omer's friend, since Gofundme is unavailable in Serbia.)