Construction Works at the University Campus: Better Conditions for Students and Employees

On 15 June 2022, Minister for Scientific and Technological Development, Higher Education and Information Society of the Republic of Srpska Srđan Rajčević, MA, and Minister for Spatial Planning, Civil Engineering and Ecology of the Republic of Srpska Srebrenka Golić could see by themselves that the works on the reconstruction of the buildings of the Academy of Arts / the Rectorate and the Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Banja Luka, conducted with the aim of improving energy efficiency, were being carried out as planned. They paid a visit to these construction sites together with Rector of the University Prof. Radoslav Gajanin, PhD.

Minister for Spatial Planning, Civil Engineering and Ecology of the Republic of Srpska Srebrenka Golić pointed out that the reconstruction of the facilities is being conducted within the "Energy Efficiency in BH" project, for which the World Bank have granted loans and the relevant Ministry has provided grants.

,,We promised to start with the works in June and I am glad that we have fulfilled our promise. According to the contracts, we expect them to be finished in four monthsˮ, Golić said and stressed that a total of around BAM 1.3 million will be invested in the rehabilitation of the building of the Rectorate and the Academy of Arts, and around BAM 900,000 will be allocated for the rehabilitation of the building of the Faculty of Philosophy.

,,We are still waiting for the building permit from the City of Banja Luka for the installation of an elevator in the Faculty of Philosophy for people with disabilities, so that they can easily attend this facultyˮ, Golić said.

In addition to the building insulation of the facility and replacing of the carpentry, the roof of the Academy and the Rectorate will also be replaced..

According to her, so far, together with these funds, about BAM 4.2 million have been invested in the University, and in autumn new investments of BAM one million are expected for the reconstruction of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports.

Rajčević expressed satisfaction that the University Campus has become a construction site, and that numerous projects are underway in which the Government of Srpska is making efforts to provide students and professors with the best possible conditions for studying, work and further progress.

Rector Gajanin thanked the relevant ministers and the Government of the Republic of Srpska for their efforts to improve the work of the University and implement the projects.

,,One of the most significant capital investments is the construction of the building of the Faculty of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy and the Faculty of Forestry, and we will soon start the completion of the student cultural centre within the fourth pavilion of the Student Centre 'Nikola Tesla'. We also expect that the construction of the preschool education centre within the University Campus will start soonˮ, Gajanin said and reminded that the buildings of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and the "Dental Clinic" within the University Campus were earlier also part of the energy efficiency project. Furthermore, the building of the Faculty of Economics at the University of Banja Luka was renovated through the same project.

Dean of the Academy of Arts Prof. Dragana Purković Macan, MA, says that she is pleased that the works on the building insulation of the Academy / Rectorate building and another building in the University Campus used by the Academy have started.

,,In this way, the working conditions of professors and students of the Academy of Arts will be improvedˮ, Prof. Purković Macan said. 

Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy Prof. Srđan Dušanić, PhD, says the reconstruction of the facade and insulation has been planned through this project as well, and that part of the carpentry and roof will be replaced. As he noted, an elevator will be installed in this largest investment since the founding of the Faculty of Philosophy. 

,,This is an important investment for all our students and employees, and it is especially important for people with disabilities, who will be able to access the faculty without any hindrance.ˮ, Dušanić said.

After visiting the construction sites, the ministers and the rector held a meeting which, in addition to the deans of the Faculty of Philosophy and the Academy of Arts, was also attended by the Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Prof. Goran Trbić, PhD,  Dean of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering Prof. Zoran Đurić, PhD, Vice-Rector for Material and Human Resources of the University of Banja Luka Prof. Dalibor Kesić, PhD, Financial Director of the University Duško Lazić, Secretary General Đorđe Markez, MA, Assistant Minister for Project Coordination, Development and European Integration Miloš Jokić, and representatives of the contractors.