The Minister of Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education, Prof. Draga Mastilović PhD, stated at the opening of the International Scientific Conference "Science and Reality" in Pale that the Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Istočno Sarajevo is a source of pride for the entire Republic of Srpska and has achieved significant progress in teaching, research, and institutional development.

Minister Mastilović noted that the Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Istočno Sarajevo, which organises the conference, is one of the University's principal pillars.

"The Faculty of Philosophy in Pale is a source of pride for the entire Republic of Srpska. It has grown and developed alongside the Republic itself, guided by some of the most distinguished Serbian intellectuals from this region," Mastilović emphasised.

He also announced that the Ministry of Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education of the Republic of Srpska plans to significantly increase investment in science and higher education.

"This year already, through the revised budget, we have allocated an additional two million BAM for scientific research projects. With the support of Prime Minister Savo Minić and the Government of the Republic of Srpska, we plan to increase this amount to 10 million BAM next year," Mastilović said.

The Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy, Vladan Bartula, told reporters that this was the 21st scientific conference organised by the Faculty, bringing together 204 domestic and international scholars from 23 universities and eight countries to discuss the challenges and problems of the contemporary world.

"This conference benefits not only our Faculty, Pale, and the City of Istočno Sarajevo, but also the entire Republic of Srpska and its academic community," Bartula stressed.

Vice-Rector for Scientific Research and Artistic Activities, Jelena Krunić, said that the conference is one of the most significant events at the University of Istočno Sarajevo, reaffirming the Faculty of Philosophy as an important centre of academic exchange and institutional cooperation.

"Science is not defined by a single question, nor does it offer only one answer. Its value lies in enabling us to think differently and to better understand the reality around us," Krunić stated.

Vuk Vučetić, Professor of Communication Studies at the Faculty of Philosophy, expressed particular satisfaction that this year's conference coincides with the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Department of Journalism.

As part of the International Scientific Conference "Science and Reality", Dean Vladan Bartula awarded the Gold Plaque of the Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Istočno Sarajevo to Prof. Draga Mastilović, PhD, Minister of Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the development and international promotion of the Faculty in Pale.