Reception dedicated to the Day of the Republic and Saint Sava

A Reception at the University of Banja Luka (UNIBL) on the occasion of the Day of the Republic of Srpska and Saint Sava was held on 28 January 2025 at the Students' Cultural Centre. 

“Universities, schools, and scientific institutions, as keepers of the spirit of Saint Sava, are responsible for cherishing the values advocated by Saint Sava: responsibility, ethics, togetherness, and desire for permanent learning. The present time, filled with fast changes and challenges, requires that we do not forget those basic values. Saint Sava would be our ally today in fighting for the preservation of true values, for we know that his principles – responsibility, dedication, and love – are forever“, said the Rector of the University of Banja Luka, Prof. Radoslav Gajanin, PhD, on a Reception held for the third time.

Rector Gajanin said that Saint Sava believed education is not only a path of personal advancement, but also a way for the community to become stronger, more just and harmonious. 

“Universities and schools are not only places of learning, but also places where a vision of a better future is being built. It is our responsibility to pass on the knowledge, to stimulate creativity and to give the young the opportunities to contribute to the development of their communities“, he said. 

The rector said that the University of Banja Luka is a strategic partner of the Republic of Srpska in creating a strong and sustainable future. 

„The University is a seedbed of ideas, a space where young people are taught to think, research, and overcome challenges“, said Rector Gajanin. 

“In the challenging times, knowledge and unity are our biggest strengths. Educated generations who believe in the Republic of Srpska, its culture and tradition, are a guarantee for stable and successful future“, was a message by the Rector of the University of Banja Luka.

The Minister for Scientific-Techological Development and Higher Education of the Republic of Srpska, Docent Željko Budimir, PhD, said that celebrating the Day of the Republic and Saint Sava develops the tradition of the Serbian people, as well as the view on education.

„We are a nation with a long tradition in all spheres of high education, and I hope that development of tradition serves to improve the quality in higher education institutions“, said Budimir.

He said that the RS Government invested significant funds in projects in higher eduaction, and the Students' Cultural Centre at UNIBL is one of them. 

„The Ministry will continue to invest into such projects in order to develop our unique and autochthonic view on higher education that has to follow the world's trends, but also must have its particularities“, said Budimir.

At this significant event organized by the University of Banja Luka and the Ministry for Scientific-Technological Development and Higher Education of the Republic of Srpska, the topical speech about Saint Sava was delivered by a Docent at the Faculty of Philosophy of UNIBL, Oleg Soldat, PhD.

Numerous guests, representatives of the academic community and diplomatic core, were present at the event. The Chairman of the Steering Board of the UNIBL, Prof. Biljana Antunović, PhD, Vice-Rector for Teaching process, Students' issues and Quality, Prof. Milica Balaban, PhD, Finance Director, Duško Lazić, Secretary General of the UNIBL, Đorđe Markez, Advisors to the President of the Republic of Srpska, Docent Nina Sajić, PhD, and Marko Romić, MA, and members of the Republic of Srpska Academy of Science and Art.

Photo: D. Desnica