The Minister of Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education of the Republic of Srpska, Prof. Draga Mastilović PhD, stated today that the Student Centre in Pale is a modern facility operating at a European—and even global—level, and emphasised that further improvements to the student standard in the Republic of Srpska will continue in the coming period.

Minister Mastilović had breakfast with students at the Student Centre in Pale and spoke with the director of the institution, Marko Gajović, and the Rector of the University of Istočno Sarajevo, Milan Kulić, about living conditions and the student standard.

"I am particularly pleased that I had the opportunity to have breakfast with the students and personally see the quality of food in the halls of residence. As a university professor and former dean, I have visited numerous universities and student halls, and I can say that there are not many that offer students conditions like these," said Minister Mastilović.

According to him, such conditions are the result of significant investments by the Government of the Republic of Srpska in higher education and student provision in recent years.

The Minister recalled that student scholarships have been increased this year from 200 to 300 BAM, and that students in the Republic of Srpska benefit from free tuition, free accommodation in student halls of residence, and subsidised meals.

He also noted that refurbishment of the canteen in the new student residence in Lukavica is currently underway.

"The plan of the Government of the Republic of Srpska is for other university centres to receive modern student facilities as well, so that we can further improve the current level of student provision," Mastilović stated.

The Director of the Student Centre in Pale, Marko Gajović, thanked Minister Mastilović for the visit and informed him about minor infrastructure issues that need to be addressed in order to further improve the quality of accommodation and student catering.

"We have made significant progress in improving the student standard and will not stop until we are among the best in Europe in terms of accommodation and catering quality," said Gajović.

Also present at the breakfast with Minister Mastilović were the Rector of the University of Istočno Sarajevo, Milan Kulić, and representatives of the Student Union of the Republic of Srpska.