The Minister of Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education of the Republic of Srpska, Prof. Draga Mastilović PhD, and the Director of the Lukavica Student Centre, Aleksandra Bjelica, met today in Sarajevo to discuss the operation of the new student residence hall, which currently accommodates 180 students and in which the Government has invested around 10 million BAM.

Minister Mastilović said he was pleased to visit the new student residence hall in Istočno Novo Sarajevo for the first time. The facility provides accommodation for more than 200 students of the University of Istočno Sarajevo who study at faculties located in this area.

He added that he had seen for himself the quality of the student standard that has been achieved through the construction and refurbishment of the residence hall.

"The Government of the Republic of Srpska has invested around 10 million BAM in the construction and refurbishment of this residence hall, and this is one of the Government's strategic projects aimed at providing the best possible conditions for studying in the Republic of Srpska. I had the opportunity, through direct contact with the students and the Director, to see that everything in this residence hall is functioning in the best possible way," Mastilović said.

He pointed out that this does not mark the end of the Government of the Republic of Srpska's investment in student standard facilities.

"When it comes to infrastructure, the Director and I discussed the possibilities for refurbishing another building of the Lukavica Student Centre, and we agreed that this project should be put forward to the Government of the Republic of Srpska in the coming period," Mastilović added.

He expressed satisfaction that students feel comfortable in the residence hall and have such conditions at their disposal, stressing that it is the Government's task to continue providing the best possible conditions for those who choose to study in the Republic of Srpska.

"Once again, I invite future students to enrol at one of the two public universities in the Republic of Srpska, because it is difficult to imagine that they would find better conditions for studying or a higher level of knowledge than that offered by our universities," Minister Mastilović said.

Bjelica thanked the Minister for his visit, noting that the residence hall has a capacity of 224 beds and currently accommodates 180 students.

"All student rooms have been completed. We are only missing part of the kitchen equipment, but I do not think the students feel any shortcomings. They are now even more satisfied with the service in the canteen than they were before," Bjelica said.

She reminded that accommodation in student residence halls in the Republic of Srpska is free of charge for all full-time students and that the costs are covered by the Government of the Republic of Srpska.

The President of the Student Parliament of the Lukavica Student Centre, Dragoslav Janjić, said that students are very satisfied with the conditions in which they live and that this student residence hall is one of the best in the region.

"Perhaps the only thing that could still be provided is a space where we can socialise and spend our free time," Janjić added.

The meeting was also attended by the Rector of the University of Istočno Sarajevo, Milan Kulić.

The new student residence hall in Istočno Novo Sarajevo was opened in October last year.