Nikola Hajdin (Serbian Cyrillic: Никола Хајдин; 4 April 1923 – 17 July 2019) was a Serbian construction engineer and university professor whose career combined technical practice, research and academic leadership. He trained and taught generations of engineers and took a prominent public role as head of the country’s leading learned society.
Overview
Born in Vrbovsko in what was then the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, Hajdin built a reputation as a specialist in structural and bridge engineering. His work emphasized practical solutions for reinforced concrete and steel structures, the design of long-span elements, and the translation of research into built projects and education.
Career and contributions
Hajdin combined teaching at the university level with consulting on large infrastructure projects and scholarly publication. He was widely regarded for mentoring young engineers, writing technical papers and textbooks, and for promoting rigorous standards in design and construction. Colleagues remember him for bridging the gap between academia and industry in civil engineering.
- Professor and educator in construction engineering and structural design
- Consultant on major infrastructure and bridge projects
- Author of technical studies and educational materials
- Mentor to multiple generations of engineers
Hajdin served as president of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts (SANU) from 2003 to 2015, representing the academy’s Department of Technical Sciences and guiding its scientific and cultural activities during that period. His presidency was marked by efforts to support research, preserve academic standards and foster international contacts.
He died in Belgrade on 17 July 2019 at the age of 96. Nikola Hajdin is remembered for his long-lasting influence on engineering education in Serbia, his public service in the scholarly community, and his commitment to the practical application of structural engineering research.