“The University of Banja Luka Students' Days” opening ceremony

A large number of students and officials attended “The University of Banja Luka Students' Days” opening ceremony on April 14, 2019, at the National Theater of Republic of Srpska.

Prof. Dr. Radoslav Gajanin, Rector of the University of Banja Luka, said that education is the key to success and the best investment. He added that the University will continue to improve study conditions in cooperation with different institutions and entrepreneurs.

He said that the plan is to build new premises for faculties, to renovate and equip the ones that are already in use, and improve campus landscaping.

“Among other ideas, we plan to establish a technology park, which would serve as a place where students, teachers and associates could present their ideas and innovations, that would then be brought to life with help of the University and other economic organizations”, Gajanin said, adding that a lot of ideas are expected to come from students.

He mentioned that the University of Banja Luka graduates are successful in their professions, and hold positions in various business subjects in the Republic of Srpska and abroad.

“It is clear to everyone that the students are an integral part of the University and that we see them as our future and the future of the Republic of Srpska”, said Rector Gajanin and wished all the students of the University to successfully complete their education.

Srdjan Rajčević, Minister for Scientific and Technological Development, Higher Education and Information Society of the Republic of Srpska, said that the Ministry will face great challenges in the future, which will, in turn, improve the situation in the sector of higher education.

At the opening of “The University of Banja Luka Students' Days”, where more than 17.000 students are enrolled, Minister Rajčević talked about how a great deal of work is needed to be done in order to create a new vision of higher education with the goal of reaching a modern, flexible and dynamic system.

“I primarily think of the public higher education system, our two public universities and our two public colleges. The Ministry and the Government will need the support of the student population”, said Rajčević.

He said that students will be the key interest, and are expected to complete the studies, establish their families and be the driving force and engine of the development of the Republic of Srpska, not only in the economic aspect but in any other sense.

“We, therefore, intend to take certain steps in this area. We have very ambitious plans before us. We have good cooperation with both student parliaments, and hopefully, we will cooperatively reach these solutions with the consent of the academic community”, said Rajcevic and reminded that in this year the budget of the Ministry allocated about 4 million BAM to maintaining and improving student standard.

Igor Radojičić, Mayor of Banja Luka, said that it is of utmost importance that the public university operates in this city and that tens of thousands of young people represent the potential and capacity of the city.

“The cities that are home to universities and student population look completely different than the ones who are not”, said Radojičić.

He reminded that the manifestation “Spring in Banja Luka” that lasts two months, from April 10 to June 10, includes more than a hundred events.

Nemanja Babić, President of the Student Parliament of the University of Banja Luka, announced that in the next ten days, the “Students’ Days” will try to bring out all the beauty of studying in Banja Luka.

“This year we have 19 activities planned, such as sports competitions, knowledge trivia, conferences, as well as entertainment activities, such as outdoor cinema and concerts”, said Babić.

He also mentioned the “Faculty Festival”, which will be held for the first time, with the aim of presenting each faculty of the University individually to citizens and guests.

Acknowledgments

Nemanja Babić, President of the Student Parliament of the University of Banja Luka, gave thanks to those who advocate for the development of the Student Parliament. The certificate of acknowledgment was presented to Prof. Dr. Radoslav Gajanin, Rector of the University of Banja Luka, Srdjan Rajčević, Minister for Scientific and Technological Development, Higher Education and Information Society of the Republic of Srpska, Igor Radojičić, Mayor of the City of Banja Luka and Branko Trninić, former President of the Student Parliament.

The event was also attended by Prof. Dr. Luka Kecman, Vice-Rector for Human and Material Resources, Prof. Dr. Goran Latinović, Vice-Rector for Scientific Research and Development of the University and many others.

Students of the Academy of Arts at the University of Banja Luka performed in the art program.