A reception for the "Dr Milan Jelić" Fund scholarship recipients was held today at the Government of the Republic of Srpska Headquarters, where they met with the President of the Government of the Republic of Srpska, Savo Minić, and the Minister of Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education of the Republic of Srpska, Prof. Draga Mastilović PhD.
President of the Government of the Republic of Srpska Savo Minić said that students are the future of the Republic of Srpska and that investment in student scholarships and higher education represents the most promising investment.
Following the meeting with the "Dr Milan Jelić" Fund scholarship recipients in Banja Luka, Minić said that the Government would do everything possible to ensure that they remain in the Republic of Srpska.
He said that the meeting focused on what more could be done to ensure that, once they complete their education, they remain in the Republic of Srpska and work there.
"These young people deserve the attention of the entire Republic of Srpska because they are its future. If there is justice, they should also become part of the Government and directors of public institutions. By investing in themselves and their knowledge, they have demonstrated how willing they are to make sacrifices and how prepared they are to become people capable of tackling any problem," Minić said.
He congratulated them for adhering to the belief that knowledge is something that no one can take away from them, adding that this would enable them to become outstanding professionals.
Minister Mastilović said that he, Prime Minister Savo Minić and the "Dr Milan Jelić" Fund scholarship recipients discussed the establishment and development of institutes as the main scientific base and a prerequisite for future scientific and technological development. He stressed that investment in higher education would continue, while funding for science would be significantly increased.
He noted that this could already be seen in this year's investment in scientific research projects and announced a substantial increase in such investment next year.
"The scholarship fund of the "Dr Milan Jelić" Fund has been increased from 750,000 BAM to 1,125,000 BAM, which is evidence of the Government's commitment to continuously investing in higher education and science," Minister Mastilović said.
He stressed that the Government of the Republic of Srpska is investing in its young people and in those who will, in the future, bear responsibility for the overall development of the Republic.
He also noted that the Republic of Srpska is unique in having enabled students to study free of charge, receive free accommodation and subsidised meals in student dormitories, as well as benefit from continuous scholarship programmes, which have been significantly increased this year.
Anđela Nešković, a third-cycle student at the Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Istočno Sarajevo, said that it was a great honour to be a recipient of the "Dr Milan Jelić" Fund scholarship and that the scholarships confirmed that the Government recognised and valued the efforts and dedication of young people.
"This gives me the encouragement to continue building my professional career and future in the Republic of Srpska," Nešković said.