Faculty of Economics Celebrates Semicentennial

The Faculty of Economics at the University of Banja Luka (UNIBL) celebrated its 50 years of successful work and development with a formal academic ceremony held on 6 February 2025 at the "Banski Dvor" Cultural Centre, attended by representatives of the academic community, high-ranking officials of the Republic of Srpska, students, and guests. 

The Rector of the University of Banja Luka, Radoslav Gajanin, PhD, congratulated the Faculty on fifty years of successful work and development and expressed gratitude for the support provided by the President of the Republic of Srpska and the line ministry for higher education.  

Rector Gajanin emphasised that the Faculty of Economics has developed successfully and that its establishment was a prerequisite for the formation of the University.  

He highlighted the importance of forming an academic community, which includes only the best. 

“This has contributed to the progress and success of the Faculty of Economics, whose graduates are highly sought after in the labour market", Gajanin stated during the ceremony at the "Banski Dvor" Cultural Centre.

He further stated that the Faculty of Economics provides high-quality education.  

"I am confident that we will continue to receive support from the institutions of Srpska so that we may develop further in line with modern technologies", Gajanin said at the formal academic ceremony marking the jubilee.  

The President of the Republic of Srpska, Milorad Dodik, emphasised that many students and graduates of the Faculty of Economics at UNIBL have significantly contributed to the development of Srpska.  

"They are patriots, and that is why we have endured as a society. In challenging and uncertain times, you have persevered, and I congratulate you all because you believed that public universities offer far greater competencies and knowledge", Dodik said at the formal academic ceremony held at the "Banski Dvor" Cultural Centre to mark the anniversary of the Faculty of Economics.  

"I wish to congratulate all the graduates and encourage you to be the pride of the Republic of Srpska", President Dodik said at the event.  

During the ceremony, a telegram was read from Željka Cvijanović, the Chairperson and Serb member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Among other remarks, she stated that the Faculty of Economics at the University of Banja Luka is a beacon of development and economic and business management in the Republic of Srpska.  

The Minister for Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education of the Republic of Srpska, Assist. Prof. Željko Budimir, PhD, highlighted the significance of the Faculty of Economics at the University of Banja Luka, which, according to him, contributes to the social life of the Republic of Srpska.  

"Professors from the Faculty of Economics participate in social life and make valuable contributions, and the Republic of Srpska needs excellence", Budimir said at the formal academic ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of this higher education institution.  

Budimir stressed that this jubilee reflects a tradition in education, and its commemoration underscores the importance of the Faculty of Economics.  

"The mission and role of every intellectual is to be rooted in understanding the society in which they live", Budimir stated.  

The Dean of the Faculty of Economics at the University of Banja Luka, Prof. Milenko Krajišnik, PhD, stated that this higher education institution, thanks to the dedicated work of its professors and generations of students, as well as the selfless support from the government, contributes to the economic development of the Republic of Srpska.  

"Our mission is to develop scientific research", Krajišnik said at the formal academic ceremony, expressing gratitude to all those who have supported the Faculty of Economics over the past fifty years.  

He expressed hope that the development trend would continue and emphasised that the Faculty of Economics exists for its students.  

During the ceremony, the Faculty of Economics awarded diplomas to students who successfully completed their studies in the second cycle and honoured deserving individuals who contributed to the development of the Faculty.

The formal event was attended by the Minister of Finance and Treasury in the Council of Ministers, Prof. Srđan Amidžić, PhD, the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Srpska, Nenad Stevandić, the Chairperson of the UNIBL Steering Board, Prof. Biljana Antunović, PhD, Vice-Rectors of the University Prof. Milica Balaban, PhD, and Prof. Aleksandar Ostojić, PhD, the UNIBL Secretary General, Đorđe Markez, LL.M., and Financial Director Duško Lazić.  

(UNIBL/AGENCIES)

Photo: D. Desnica