The Minister of Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education of the Republic of Srpska Prof. Draga Mastilović PhD said today that the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Banja Luka is an outstanding higher education institution, and that the goal for the coming period is the construction of a medical campus, for which more than 200 million BAM is required.

"It is an institution that the entire Republic of Srpska can be proud of, not only when it comes to education, but also scientific research," Minister Mastilović said after visiting the Faculty of Medicine in Banja Luka.

He said that discussions had been held today on models for financing the construction of the medical campus.

"It is an expensive project, but it will enable an improvement in the quality of education and scientific research, which is of importance to the entire Republic of Srpska," Minister Mastilović said.

The Rector of the University of Banja Luka Radislav Gajanin said that the Faculty of Medicine is the largest member of the university and that, compared with other faculties, it is ahead in numerous processes and can serve as an example to them. Gajanin highlighted the importance of studies in the English language, as well as the placement of highly qualified graduates on the labour market.

The Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Ranko Škrbić informed the Minister about the development plans of this higher education institution.

"We showed what we are proud of, how teaching, scientific research and international cooperation are carried out. Everything that is in the interest of the wider community and the entire Republic of Srpska," Škrbić said.

Škrbić emphasised the particular importance of the Faculty of Medicine's international expansion, noting that this year, for the first time, it would enrol foreign students in the nursing study programme.

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