FACULTY OF MEDICINE DAY MARKED, MINISTER MASTILOVIĆ RECEIVES TOP HONOUR

FOČA, OCTOBER 15 /SRNA/ - Republika Srpska Minister for Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education Draga Mastilović was presented with the Charter of the Faculty of Medicine in Foča in recognition of his exceptional support for the development of the higher education institution.

The Charter, the Faculty's highest honour, was presented to Mastilović by Dean Dejan Bokonjić at the ceremonial academy.

The decision stated that Mastilović, in his capacity as the minister responsible for the relevant portfolio and a friend of the Faculty, had made an exceptional contribution to its development, particularly by supporting the improvement of study programs, the renovation of the existing building and the construction of a new one.

Mastilović said that the recognition awarded to him by the Faculty of Medicine in Foča was an acknowledgment of his work to date, but also an obligation to continue monitoring the activities and needs of the higher education institution.

"Every award, while pleasing, also brings with it an obligation. I am grateful to Dean Bokonjić and the Teaching and Scientific Council for recognising my modest contribution over the past nine months, during which I have served as minister. Cooperation will continue in the future, as will our efforts to monitor the work and needs of the Faculty of Medicine in Foča," Mastilović told reporters.

The Faculty of Medicine also presented an award to Milan Kulić, Rector of the University of Istočno Sarajevo, for his outstanding contribution to the development of the faculty.

On the occasion of the faculty’s 33rd anniversary, the Dean's Award was presented to deserving members of the academic staff: Professor Nikola Stojanović, Assistant Dean for the Dentistry Study Program, and Professor Srđan Mašić, Vice Dean for Research and Entrepreneurship.

An award was also presented to Hirt de Leplir, Head of the International Cooperation Office at the University of Leuven in Belgium, for his outstanding support in accreditation, quality assurance, and international visibility.

The award for the best research paper went to Dragana Puhalo-Sladoje, Head of the Department of Medicinal Chemistry at the Faculty of Medicine in Foča, who said that her research focuses on metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance and obesity.

She encouraged young colleagues and students to get involved in research, noting that the Faculty of Medicine offers good conditions and support from its leadership for the development of scientific research.

The Faculty of Medicine in Foča celebrated its 33rd anniversary today in the presence of numerous guests.

As of this academic year, around 2,500 students are enrolled at the Faculty of Medicine in Foča, including 722 studying in English.

Teaching in English was introduced at the faculty in the 2020/21 academic year, making it the first institution of its kind in Republika Srpska to offer courses in English.

The Faculty of Medicine in Foča celebrates October 15 as its anniversary because, on that date in 1993, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology of Republika Srpska decided to resume the operations of the Republika Srpska Faculty of Medicine in Sarajevo, based in Srbinje/Foča.

By a decision the Republika Srpska National Assembly adopted on December 29, 1993, the University of Sarajevo of Republika Srpska was established as the successor to the University of Sarajevo.