The Minister of Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education of the Republic of Srpska Prof. Draga Mastilović PhD and Rector of the University of Istočno Sarajevo Milan Kulić agreed today that the priority is the completion of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport building in Pale this year.
Minister Mastilović stated that one of the Ministry's priority tasks this year is to complete ongoing infrastructure projects at both public universities in the Republic of Srpska.
"Particularly highlighted is the building of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport. Today we also have a meeting with the contractor; this building must be completed during this year. What falls within the competence of the Ministry will be completed in the coming period," Mastilović said.
He noted that the University of Istočno Sarajevo has been his parent institution for more than two decades and that he has witnessed all processes and developments during that period.
He thanked Rector Kulić and his team for their efforts in stabilising the University and steering it strongly towards progress, which is also reflected in its continuous improvement on global ranking lists.
"I am glad to hear from the Rector today that the number of enrolled students is gradually increasing. This is partly also the result of efforts made by my predecessors to improve student living conditions. We should mention free tuition and accommodation in student dormitories, and we also have a new Government measure to increase student scholarships," Mastilović added.
He said that the Ministry awards 1,065 scholarships, and that this year basic scholarships have been increased from 200 BAM to 300 BAM, as well as scholarships from the 'Milan Jelić' Fund.
"All these measures were aimed at increasing student enrolment and retaining young people in the Republic of Srpska. Students are the future of the Republic of Srpska, but the Republic of Srpska is also the future of students and young people, who are our most important strategic resource that we must preserve," Mastilović emphasised.
He added that he also discussed with Kulić the new legal framework, the Law on Higher Education, and that they agreed the law should be adopted carefully, with broad consensus within the academic community and student population.
"I conveyed to the Rector the Ministry's position that it is most necessary to accelerate work on the legal framework when it comes to scientific research activity," Mastilović added.
He said that the Ministry is working intensively on adopting certain regulations and laws on higher education.
Rector Kulić said that, in his discussion with the Minister, it was agreed that higher education in the Republic of Srpska is of good quality, but that there is room for further improvement.
Kulić added that the University of istočno Sarajevo, with the support of the Government and the relevant Minister, is working on improving its quality and attractiveness for student enrolment.
"We are in a campaign promoting enrolment for the next academic year and we expect support from the Ministry and the Government. Our students have free higher education, which is a rare example in the region. We also discussed investments in infrastructure at the University of East Sarajevo," Kulić said.
Kulić also expressed special gratitude to the former Minister for Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education of the Republic of Srpska Željko Budimir for his support and assistance to the University in previous years.
He expressed hope that, with the help of Minister Mastilović, further implementation of infrastructure projects will continue.
"There are projects currently under implementation; part of the premises for the Institute of Historical Sciences has been adapted. Public procurement procedures are underway for the concert hall of the Academy of Music and the simulation centre at the Faculty of Medicine, and we will see how the tender procedures proceed," Kulić noted.