41th Anniversary Celebration of the University of Banja Luka

The ceremony held on November 7 2016 at the National Theatre of the Republic of Srpska marked 41 years of the existence and successful work of the University of Banja Luka.

It was an opportunity for everyone to be reminded of the results achieved at the University in the previous year, but also to award recognitions to the most meritorious professors and the best students.

Among other distinguished guests, the ceremony was attended by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Srpska Government, Ms Željka Cvijanović, ministers of the Republic of Srpska Government, representatives of the legislative authorities, the Mayor of the City of Banja Luka, Mr Igor Radojičić, members of the Academy of Sciences and Arts of the Republic of Srpska, rectors and vice-rectors of numerous universities the University of Banja Luka cooperates with, as well as the deans and professors of our University.

On behalf of the University, the Rector of the University, Prof. Milan Mataruga, welcomed all the present and noted that, since it had been established in 1975, the University had produced more than 31,000 graduates, many of whom occupy important positions in political, educational, cultural institutions, and both home and foreign companies, where they have achieved great results and represented our University in the best possible way. 

When discussing what has been done at the University for the past year, the Rector said that numerous scientific conferences were organised and that our scientists and researchers participated in many significant projects within the European research programmes and achieved great results in competitions.
‘By signing the Berlin Declaration, the University became a part of the European network of information exchange, and when the Rulebook on form, content and digital repository of doctoral dissertations was adopted, all doctoral papers became available to the public. Thus, we wish to give an opportunity to our young PhD students to be recognized by the quality of their works and prevent potential plagiarism’, the Rector pointed out. He also mentioned some significant investments implemented in the previous year, and one them, realised with the support of the Republic of Srpska Government, was finishing the facility of the Fourth students’ dormitory for accommodating students.

‘Since people are the most significant resource, capacity building is continuously in progress’, the Rector said, and added that ‘all deans, members of the Senate and the Administration Board adopted a decision that 17 best students are going to be awarded with the Golden badge today and will get their first job at the University. These young graduates are going to have an opportunity to work with their mentors for the next year and on the following job competition announced at their faculty, they may be recognised and selected as teaching assistants.’

The Rector of the University of Sarajevo, Prof. Radoslav Grujić, congratulated the anniversary to our University on behalf of the Conference of Rectors of the Republic of Srpska, the Conference of Rectors of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Joint Association of the Universities of the Republic of Srpska and the Republic of Serbia, and other rectors that were present. Furthermore, he pointed out that within 41 years of its existence, the University of Banja Luka had become recognised in the region and Europe and was ready to develop through internationalisation. Prof. Grujić also said, on behalf of all the rectors that were present, that there was readiness for strengthening cooperation with our University in the field of education, research, student exchange and keeping cultural legacy of this part of the world.

On behalf of the Republic of Srpska Government, all the present were greeted by the prime Minister, Ms Željka Cijanović, who pointed out that the University of Banja Luka had been the bearer of scientific thought and generator of knowledge and progress in the Republic of Srpska. ‘The information that more than 34,000 students of all three study cycles have graduated at the University of Banja Luka proves that the University has functioned successfully and that it is one of the pillars of knowledge and strength of the Republic of Srpska’, the Prime Minister said, and added that, despite all difficulties, the Republic of Srpska  Government had invested more than BAM 100 million in higher education in the last ten years.

The ceremony proceeded with giving awards and acknowledgements for special contribution to the development of our University in the previous year. 
This year, the Chart of the University was awarded to the full professor at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Prof. Milorad Božić, for exceptional contribution to developing the University and improving its reputation in the country and abroad.

A retired professor at the Faculty of Science, Mr Živojin Erić, was awarded with the Plaque of the University of Banja Luka for his successful work for many years and achievements in both his research and educational activities. 
The following were awarded with the Professor Emeritus Plaque, for their contribution to developing science and teaching process at the University:  Prof. Nadežda Ćalić, Prof. Drago Branković, and Prof. Nenad Kecmanović.
The best students who graduated in the academic year of 2015/2016 at the University of Banja Luka were also awarded.
Finally, the ceremony of marking the 41 anniversary of the University of Banja Luka was enriched by a marvellous vocal and instrumental performance of the students and teaching staff of the Academy of Arts, the University of Banja Luka.