Lecture by Prof. Dragana Mitrović, Ph.D.: Let us benefit from our cooperation with China

Professor Dragana Mitrović, Ph.D., presented a lecture “From Socialist Modernization to Chinese Dream – 40 years since the Reform and Opening-up policy of the People's Republic of China” on February 26, 2019 at the amphitheater of the Faculty of Security Sciences of the University of Banja Luka.

Prior to the lecture she said that there are many opportunities to benefit from the cooperation with China.

“It is my great pleasure to have the opportunity to tell students about an important phenomenon of a modern world – the China’s rise 40 years since the Reform. China has the second economy of the world; the first trade power; a country that is very present in our region, and a country that is very important for our countries. Therefore, we need to gain a better understanding of it, and understand how to benefit from what Chinese refer to as a mutual benefit”

“Chinese market is very special, and for those who do not know it well enough, it is very closed for trade. It is made out of a number of small markets and even the Chinese provinces do not trade well with each other. It is especially hard for small companies that are from small countries like ours to get around in such environment, but it is not impossible. Everything is possible with perseverance, dedication, and a better understanding of how trade in this area works, as well as with some assistance at the political level”, said Mitrović, who is a full-time professor at the Faculty of Political Science of the University of Belgrade, and a director of the Institute for Asian Studies.

“There used to be technical-commercial bureaus among all socialist countries, and we abolished them with the idea that they are outmoded. However, such state support is helpful when it comes to cooperation with China, and is helps establish headquarters for companies that would be constantly present on the Chinese market and help individual firms who are struggling to marketplace their goods”, the professor explained.

She also added that there is an increasing number of Chinese tourists in our region, and it is something that we should all work on.

The professor explained that the Chinese are also interested in establishing cooperation in the area of higher education. She said that the Confucius Institute opened the possibility for Chinese students to come study in our country. 

The lecture was organized by the Confucius Institute and the Faculty of Security Sciences of the University of Banja Luka.

Assistant professor Predrag Ćeranić, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Security Sciences of the University of Banja Luka, said that this organizational unit is open for both local and international experts from all areas, and all for the purpose of educating students in the area of security and world politics.

“We do not know enough about China, although the Confucius Institute has been making a great impact since it was established. The lecture by professor Mitrović resulted from our cooperation with the Confucius Institute, and we continue to work on activities that will benefit us all”, said Dean Ćeranić.

The Anniversary of the Faculty will be celebrated on March 6, when the Faculty will welcome the guests from the Faculty of Security from Moscow.

He also announced other activities that the Faculty is planning together with the Confucius Institute of the University of Banja Luka. 

Among other attendees there were Prof. Radoslav Gajanin, Ph.D., Rector of the University of Banja Luka, Radmila Pejić, Ph.D., assistant of the Minister for higher education, and many more.