The Minister of Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education of the Republic of Srpska Draga Mastilović said that today's graduation ceremony for graduates of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at the University of Istočno Sarajevo is important for the entire Republic of Srpska, as they will form the backbone of its economic and scientific and technological development.

"Today we can see the results of the measures that the Government of the Republic of Srpska has taken in recent years to improve student standards and the infrastructure of our faculties at both public universities," said the Minister, who attended the graduation ceremony at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, where 49 graduate engineers and one Master of Electrical Engineering were awarded their degrees.

He announced that the Government of the Republic of Srpska would continue to increase investment in higher education, with the aim of improving its quality, both in student standards and in the infrastructure of faculties.

"A new cycle of investment in scientific and technological development awaits the Republic of Srpska," Minister Mastilović said, recalling that the Government of the Republic of Srpska had allocated additional funding for scientific research projects through this year's budget rebalance, with plans for those funds to be increased severalfold next year.

The Minister said that construction of a science and technology park in Banja Luka would begin this year, along with the process of establishing scientific research institutes, which are a prerequisite not only for the scientific and technological development of the Republic of Srpska, but also for its economic development. He added that these projects would provide an opportunity for the young people graduating today to demonstrate the knowledge they have acquired at university, as well as their creativity.

"We hope that, thanks to the joint efforts of the universities and the Government of the Republic of Srpska, our public universities will welcome an increasing number of students in the years ahead," Mastilović concluded.