KARAN: KNOWLEDGE AND YOUTH ARE SRPSKA'S GREATEST RESOURCES, WE WILL CONTINUE INVESTING IN HIGHER EDUCATION

BANJA LUKA, OCTOBER 3 /SRNA/ - The Minister of Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education, Siniša Karan, said that knowledge and youth are Republika Srpska's greatest resources, and that the government and institutions will continue working on strategically improving students’ standards and raising the quality of higher education.

"Republika Srpska has many resources, but knowledge and youth who remain here are its greatest assets. They must serve as a guarantee that Srpska will continue to develop strongly," Karan told reporters in Banja Luka before a ceremonial reception at the Rectorate of Banja Luka University for newly hired assistants.

He emphasized that this is precisely the guarantee that Republika Srpska will harness all its resources and, through this approach, preserve all positive values.

"We must promote knowledge and youth. The Government of Srpska and its institutions have done a lot so that today we can also validate knowledge. It is not enough to simply say something; we must find ways for the best to become the driving force, which is why today’s event is so important," Karan stressed.

He reminded that Republika Srpska had previously adopted strategic documents aimed at strengthening higher education, which opened the doors for the admission of the best students to universities.

"Assistants also had to be confirmed through a public competition. It is important to establish cooperation with representatives of the economy to combine practice and theory. Ahead of us is a difficult path to ensure that the best among us remain in Srpska and become the driving force of development," Karan emphasized.

He concluded that the best indicator of the strength of the two public universities is the large number of students enrolled in the first year of both undergraduate and graduate studies in this academic year.

"This is a sign of the value of the universities, faith in knowledge, and faith in Republika Srpska," Karan stated.

Minister Karan attended a reception for 20 newly hired assistants and senior assistants at the faculties and the Academy of Arts of the University of Banja Luka, organized by the Rector of the University of Banja Luka, Radoslav Gajanin.