The University Celebrated Its 47th Anniversary

With the Solemn Academy in the Banski Dvor Cultural Centre on 7 November 2022, the University of Banja Luka celebrated 47 years of its successful work and development.

Rector Prof. Radoslav Gajanin, PhD, said that the University of Banja Luka has continuously progressed in all fields over the past 47 years.

As he said, given the fact that each institution is mostly comprised of its employees, the University of Banja Luka focused on the continued development and perfection of human resources.

,,Thanks to the dedicated work of the employees at the University of Banja Luka, the University is recording a constant growth in the world-recognized university rankings amongst the very tough competition. On the Webometrics ranking, the University of Banja Luka is among the ten percent of the best universities in the world'', the rector said.

According to him, dozens of national and international projects are currently being implemented, with a total budget of over BAM 5.1 million earmarked for the University, about half a million of which is from national projects and more than 4.6 million from international funds.

,,Since the last Day of the University, its employees have undertaken activities on 22 new national and 12 international projects, which makes us particularly proud.”, Gajanin added.

As he pointed out, in the past period we achieved notable results in the Erasmus+ programme. According to him, with the support of the Government of the Republic of Srpska, the University is realizing a large number of capital investments in order to improve working and studying conditions at our higher education institution.

,,The University was approved three projects from the Capacity Building in Higher Education component, one project from the Partnership for Cooperation component and a significant number of bilateral projects for the exchange of students and staff. More to this, the first Erasmus+ exchange week at the University was also organized, during which a delegation of 25 representatives of the University of Cadiz stayed here. In the CEEPUS programme, 25 networks for the exchange of students and staff were approved for the University.”, the rector said in his speech.

,,Also this year, research projects are being implemented by members of the academic community of the University of Novi Sad and the Republic of Srpska. The financing of these projects was provided by AP Vojvodina, i.e., the Secretariat for Higher Education and Scientific Research. This year's budget has been doubled compared to 2021.“, Gajanin added.

The head of our University emphasizes that the successful cooperation of public universities in Bosnia and Herzegovina through the Rectors' Conference of Bosnia and Herzegovina has continued, as well as the cooperation of universities from the Republic of Srpska through the Rectors' Conference of the Republic of Srpska.

According to him, the University of Banja Luka has also signed significant agreements on cooperation with universities worldwide. He also points out that between the two anniversaries of the University, the Sinology Study Programme received initial accreditation at the University, five new study programmes are in the initial accreditation process, and 17 study programmes from technical faculties have been prepared for cluster accreditation.

He also praised the cooperation with student organizations, and stated that this year, about 2,100 students were enrolled in the first year of the first cycle of studies, which is the level of enrolment from the last academic year.

​Prime Minister of the Republic of Srpska Radovan Višković said that the Government will continue to work on connecting education and the business sector, because it is necessary to educate staff that will contribute to the development of the Republic of Srpska.

„We no longer need staff for labour bureaus, nor those who will develop other people's economies around the world. We need people who will stay, work and develop the Republic of Srpska. We have all the human potential and natural resources for that. The indicators set forth in our plan prepared earlier show that we are on the right path", Prime Minister Radovan Višković said at the solemn academy dedicated to 47 years of the University’s work.

The Prime Minister pointed out that the Government is working on providing the best university students, especially the public ones, with a job in the system so that they could contribute to the even greater development of the universities and the Republic of Srpska.

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Srpska, Radovan Višković, stated that in the past four years, the Government has been investing intensively in the infrastructure projects of two public universities in the Republic of Srpska, as well as in their personnel, stressing that every university in every country is its mirror.

He reminded that the amendments to the relevant laws enabled free schooling and education for all students of the first cycle and the first year of the second cycle of studies, who regularly fulfil their obligations.

„This year, accommodation in student dormitories is also free of charge.", the Prime Minister said.

Minister for Scientific and Technological Development, Higher Education and Information Society of the Republic of Srpska Srđan Rajčević said today that the University of Banja Luka is one of the pillars of academic and scientific thought in the Republic of Srpska. As he says, the Ministry has achieved fruitful cooperation with this higher education institution in the past four years regarding the reform of higher education. He expressed satisfaction with the fact that the number of students at public universities remained the same as last year, which is a great success in relation to demographic and other circumstances and challenges.

,,Both public universities, especially the University of Banja Luka, have really responded to their mission and task, which is to remain the pillars of scientific and academic thought. ", Rajčević said.

Stating that the future of higher education in the Republic of Srpska is bright, Rajčević pointed out that in the future the focus should be on innovating study programmes and on occupations that bring a certain economic benefit, such as natural and technical sciences.

Minister of Education and Culture of the Republic of Srpska, Asst. Prof.  Natalija Trivić, PhD, said that the relevant ministry had successful cooperation with the University, especially in regard to joint programs related to the harmonizing of enrolment policies in secondary schools.

Speeches were also given by Chairman of the Rector's Conference of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Rector of the University of Sarajevo Prof. Rifat Škrijelj, PhD, President of the Rector's Conference of the Republic of Srpska and Rector of Apeiron University Prof. Sanel Jakupović, PhD, and Rector of the University of Niš Prof. Dragan Antić, PhD. They were unified in praising the cooperation with the University of Banja Luka.

Presentation of awards

At this ceremony, Rector of the University Prof. Radoslav Gajanin, PhD, presented charter awards and plaques to individuals who have contributed with their work and dedication to the development of the University. The charter award of the University of Banja Luka was assigned to Prof. Radovan Višković, PhD, Prime Minister of the Republic of Srpska, Ambassador of PR China to Bosnia and Herzegovina Ji Ping, and Prof. Zoran Milošević, PhD, the Provincial Secretary for Higher Education and Scientific Research of AP Vojvodina. Plaques for years-long work at the University were presented to Goran Grahovac, PhD, associate professor of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Nenad Zeljić, MSc, full professor of the Academy of Arts, Vladimir Malbašić, PhD, dean and full professor of the Faculty of Mining, and Borko Petrović, PhD, dean and full professor of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport. Traditionally, gold badges with the image of Nikola Tesla were presented to the best graduates of the first cycle of studies in the academic year 2021/22. This was also an opportunity to present the University's Honorary Doctorate, and this year the Honorary Doctorate was awarded to Prof. Dr Naranjan Singh Dalla.

In his speech, Provincial Secretary Milošević announced further cooperation with the University of Banja Luka and thanked everyone who contributed to the strengthening and establishment of cooperation between the Republic of Srpska and Vojvodina.

The celebration dedicated to 47 years of work and development of the University of Banja Luka was attended by distinguished guests from the academic community, the political, public and cultural life of the Republic of Srpska, while professors and teaching assistants of the Academy of Arts of the University of Banja Luka performed in the artistic programme.

The University of Banja Luka is the leading higher education and scientific institution in the Republic of Srpska and the second largest university in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Prior to its establishment on 7 November 1975, there were several colleges and faculties formed in this area. Today, the University of Banja Luka comprises 16 faculties, the Academy of Arts and the Institute of Genetic Resources. Classes are offered in 66 first-cycle study programmes, 64 second-cycle study programmes, along with two combined study programmes, and 13 third-cycle study programmes and one combined study programme. At the University of Banja Luka there are currently around 15 000 students from all parts of the Republic of Srpska, but also from abroad. The University of Banja Luka has all the requisite space, from classrooms and halls, through reading rooms and libraries, to laboratories and computer rooms.

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