The Minister of Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education, Željko Budimir PhD, stated today after a meeting with the Minister of Education of Serbia, Slavica Đukić-Dejanović, in Banja Luka that cooperation between the Republic of Srpska and Serbia is crucial in all areas, especially education. He added that a memorandum is being prepared to enhance relations in the higher education sector.
"These are the first results of the All-Serbian Assembly. We are working on concrete projects and entering the implementation of a strategic memorandum, in which we will specify directions for further development regarding the cooperation between the Republic of Srpska and Serbia," said Minister Budimir.
He assessed that the cooperation so far has been at an excellent level, but also emphasized that it will be further enhanced through the formation of communities of faculties from Srpska and Serbia.
"One of these is the community of medical faculties, which has proven to be a good model. This involves joint conferences, summer and winter schools, and the exchange of teaching staff and students. Students already have equal status in Srpska and Serbia, so we will develop that aspect as well," the minister highlighted.
He emphasized that there will also be a joint approach regarding projects from Srpska and Serbia, which will be specially valued.
Minister of Education of Serbia Slavica Đukić-Dejanović expressed her satisfaction with today's meeting, noting that the academic community is indeed the generator of development in the Republic of Srpska and Serbia.
"Today, we have concretized our activities. We discussed joint rector's boards, where rectors from both sides of the Drina will have joint programs. We also agreed on the Community of Faculties, which will take care of publishing activities," Đukić-Dejanović said.
In this way, she said, the academic community would be improved and stimulated.
"Student standards are also important. I think that joint study programs are extremely significant because no border can divide us from fostering something that is the foundation for the development of higher education in the Republic of Srpska and Serbia," Đukić-Dejanović stated.
She announced that an action plan for development and cooperation will soon be presented to the two governments, emphasizing that it is important to discuss and develop cooperation at all levels of education to adequately respond to the challenges of the modern era.