The Minister of Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education of the Republic of Srpska, Prof. Draga Mastilović PhD, stated that young people, particularly students, are the Republic of Srpska's most important strategic resource and that a new cycle of increased investment in science has been planned for this year.

Minister Mastilović noted that funding for scientific research projects is expected to increase substantially next year compared with previous levels.

"A very important project awaits us this year – the construction of a Science and Technology Park within the University of Banja Luka Campus, which will serve as the cornerstone of the scientific and technological development of the Republic of Srpska," Minister Mastilović said at the Faculty of Political Sciences of the University of Banja Luka, where Prime Minister Savo Minić delivered a lecture entitled 'The Republic of Srpska – Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow'.

He thanked the Government of the Republic of Srpska and Prime Minister Minić for their support in implementing these initiatives, as well as for increased investment in higher education and student welfare, where significant progress has been achieved.

"We are unique in the region, and perhaps even beyond, because our students benefit from free tuition, accommodation in student residences, subsidised meals, and more than 1,000 scholarships awarded annually," Minister Mastilović said.

He added that the Government of the Republic of Srpska has invested significant funds in recent years in university and faculty infrastructure, contributing substantially to the improvement of higher education quality.

"Our goal is to retain as many young people as possible in the Republic of Srpska and to provide them with the highest-quality study opportunities. I believe we are moving in the right direction," Minister Mastilović concluded.