Edhem-Eddie Ćustović

Edhem ‘Eddie’ Custovic by day is an engineering academic at La Trobe University, Australia and the founder/director of the La Trobe Innovation & Entrepreneurship Foundry (LIEF). He received B.Eng (Electronics) from La Trobe University, a MSc (Entrepreneurship & Innovation) from Swinburne University and attained his Ph.D. from La Trobe University (Electronics, Digital Radar Systems and Ionospheric Physics). Heis a business owner & entrepreneur, having founded and co-founded numerous companies including Scientific Instruments Australia. He is also thought leader, mentor, philanthropist and a global citizen. Eddie was born in Tuzla, Bosnia & Herzegovina and lived for extended periods in Switzerland before migrating to Australia. Since then, he has given guest lectures and conducted business in over 100 countries. His multicultural background, multilingualism and approach to work enable me to take a politically and culturally sensitive perspective on life, volunteer roles, and professional career. In 2015, with the culmination of first-hand experiences and passion to help those in need, he founded the Bosnia & Herzegovina Futures Foundation. Custovic was the Engineering Project Coordinator for the Learn, Access, Experience Professions (LEAP) program which was funded by the Australian Federal Government to accelerate the participation of regional, low SES and minority participation in STEM higher education. Under his leadership the program excelled, reaching more than 10,000 students in over 200 state schools. He wholeheartedly has a deep commitment to making positive change for the world. For Custovic, the intersection between scientific innovation and human empowerment is where we can really “disrupt the future”. His life 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. Custovic is an active contributor to Online & Print Media globally, TV & Radio. Custovic is the recipient of the 2022 IEEE Theodore W. Hissey Outstanding Young Professional Award for "For leadership in the empowerment and development of technology professionals globally"