The Minister of Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education of the Republic of Srpska, Prof. Draga Mastilović PhD, said that the Government of the Republic of Srpska recognised the importance and quality of the University of Istočno Sarajevo, as best demonstrated by its investment both in infrastructure projects and in student welfare.

"The Government of the Republic of Srpska is implementing projects in Trebinje, where the second pavilion of the Student Dormitory is currently being renovated, while work is under way on a concert hall in Istočno Novo Sarajevo. We also have a project to improve the energy efficiency of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering building," Minister Mastilović said ahead of the ceremonial academy marking the Day of the University of Istočno Sarajevo and its 34th anniversary.

He noted that a project to improve the energy efficiency of the Faculty of Law was being implemented in Pale, alongside the renovation of premises for the Institute of Historical Sciences, while the renovation and refurbishment of the Student Dormitory in Zvornik had begun, in a project worth 2.2 million BAM.

"The Republic of Srpska is distinctive in the region when it comes to student welfare, because our students have completely free tuition and accommodation in student dormitories," Mastilović stressed. He added that the Government allocated funding each year for 1,065 scholarships for students studying in the Republic of Srpska, as well as scholarships from the Dr Milan Jelić Fund for exceptionally talented young people.

The Minister stressed that the Republic of Srpska could become stronger only if young people, its most important resource, remained in the region to study, work and live in the Republic of Srpska.

He congratulated the Rector of the University of Istočno Sarajevo, Milan Kulić, on the major achievements the University had made over the course of its work. He recalled that the University of Istočno Sarajevo was established during a challenging period and that maintaining it had not been easy, let alone developing it to the point where it became internationally recognised for the quality of its teaching, scientific research and cooperation with numerous institutions around the world.

"That is a major achievement. More than 50,000 students have enrolled at this University, and almost 30,000 have graduated. That represents an entire generation of highly educated young people who have a specific role to play in the social development of the Republic of Srpska," Mastilović stressed.

He said that the Government of the Republic of Srpska had recognised the importance of the University of Istočno Sarajevo, particularly given its distinctive structure across several cities, which gives it additional significance as well as responsibility when it comes to the demographic picture of the Republic of Srpska.

"Our two public universities, in Istočno Sarajevo and Banja Luka, where the Government is also making significant investments, are a strength of the Republic of Srpska, as well as a particular guarantee of the survival of the Serbian people in this region," the Minister said.