KARAN: MINISTRY HAS IMPLEMENTED MAJOR PROJECTS AND INVESTMENTS

BANJA LUKA, NOVEMBER 21 /SRNA/ – The Minister for Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education of Republika Srpska Siniša Karan told SRNA that in the past few years major projects under the responsibility of the line Ministry have been implemented, and that previously launched projects are also being finalized.

"Projects do not last 100 days, some take years. I took over the ministry as several major projects and investments were nearing completion. In the past few years, when it comes to higher education and scientific-technological development, we experienced the period of the largest investment, which is visible in every segment," Karan stated in SRNA podcast.

He stated that investments were mainly directed toward student welfare standards, as well as infrastructure facilities that provide adequate working conditions for teaching staff, while the living standards of lecturers and professional staff—expert associates and assistants—have also been improved.

Among those projects, Karan mentioned the science and technology park that will cost BAM 35 million, representing an innovation in Srpska and the direction in which the scientific-technological field, technological innovation, and higher education should move.

"When it comes to student standards, the Srpska Government has made advances that others cannot boast of. For our hardworking students who pass each academic year on time, studying is free. When we talk about accommodation capacities for students, meals, and other facilities, I believe we have reached an enviable level of standards," Karan added.

He noted that a student centre was recently opened in the area of Istočno Sarajevo, announcing that the student centre in Trebinje will soon be renovated.

Karan has assessed that these are high-level standards, pointing out that the term "student standard" is often understood only as accommodation and food.

He emphasizes the concept is much broader, because students’ needs today are much greater than in the past.

"First of all, their free time must be active and contribute to forming a complete personality. I'm referring to sports, developing their physical activities, which requires adequate sports facilities, as well as cultural activities so that through their studies they can fulfill their creative abilities in different fields," said Karan.

Asked where he found himself professionally considering his long police career, his academic career, and his current role as minister for scientific-technological development and higher education, Karan replied in the new episode of SRNA podcast that he finds himself wherever he is, because one must find the values in the place where one works and identify with those values.

"When it comes to higher education, I have spent 15–16 years working daily with students during lectures, so that is also part of my life. It is wonderful to work with young people; I often tell them to enjoy their student days because it is the most beautiful period of youth, which should not be viewed only through the lens of studying, but live it to the fullest," said Karan.

Karan also reflected on his police career, repeating the saying "once a policeman – always a policeman," meaning that the police cannot leave him, and that during his work in that field he continually found new challenges.

"I remember the police forty years ago. Today it is a different police force with a different and more concise role. The police now have a large number of formations that we didn't have before," Karan emphasized, adding that police work cannot be learned in a short time and that only a boarding school lifestyle can create a real police officer.