Renovated premises of the Academy of Arts of the University of Banja Luka and the Centre for Supporting Students with Disabilities were officially opened in Banja Luka today, following an investment of BAM 1.5 million by the Government of the Republic of Srpska.

The Minister of Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education of the Republic of Srpska, Prof. Draga Mastilović PhD, said that the investment cycle in the Republic of Srpska had also extended to higher education and student welfare.

He stressed that the quality of higher education in the Republic of Srpska was recognised internationally, as demonstrated by the fact that young people from more than 40 countries are currently studying in the Republic of Srpska.

"Projects such as this are being implemented out of a deep commitment to the Republic of Srpska, but also out of the Government's strong sense of responsibility towards higher education and student welfare in the Republic of Srpska," the Minister said at the University of Banja Luka Campus following the official opening of the renovated premises.

He said he expected the refurbishment of the Campus to be completed as well, which would enable the Republic of Srpska to have one of the most attractive university campuses in the region, and possibly in Europe.

"Recently, the Government of the Republic of Srpska adopted a decision to renovate the former surgical hospital for the needs of the Faculty of Medicine in Banja Luka, in a project worth BAM 4 million. Today, the Government also adopted a decision to allocate BAM 1.2 million for the renovation of the façade of the buildings housing the first and second pavilions of the Student Centre in Banja Luka," Minister Mastilović said.

Rector of the University of Banja Luka Ranko Škrbić said that the building had been adapted to meet the modern needs of students and that the project had also created better conditions for promoting the University of Banja Luka, the city of Banja Luka and the Republic of Srpska.

"This building will be a source of pride for everyone, and much larger educational centres could envy us what we have here, particularly in terms of film production and graphic design, as well as the facilities provided for students with disabilities," Škrbić said.

Dean of the Academy of Arts Dragana Purković Macan said that the adapted premises would raise the production capabilities of student work to a higher level.

"Important equipment has been purchased, and 800 square metres of space have been fully renovated and furnished with new furniture," Macan said, stressing that first-class facilities for film, television and design had been provided, which, she said, no other academy in the region had.

Mladen Đokić, a professor at the Academy of Arts of the University of Banja Luka whose field is animated film, said that the investment clearly demonstrated how the funds had been spent and that state-of-the-art equipment had been provided for the work.

Professor Jelena Grubor, whose fields are graphic design and interior design, also said that excellent working conditions had been provided. She added that the views and suggestions of professors had been taken into account in implementing the premises adaptation project.