KULIĆ: UNIVERSITY OF ISTOČNO SARAJEVO HOLDS STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE FOR REPUBLIKA SRPSKA

ISTOČNO SARAJEVO, SEPTEMBER 13 /SRNA/ – The University of Istočno Sarajevo holds strategic significance and a key role for Republika Srpska, and those who founded it were visionaries, said the rector of the institution, Milan Kulić.

“After 33 years, we can say that we have met their expectations, and this university progresses and grows every day,” Kulić told SRNA on the occasion of the University of Istočno Sarajevo Day, to be celebrated on September 14.

He emphasized that this is also an opportunity to remember those who helped create Republika Srpska, as without their vision, it is uncertain whether the University would exist today.

Kulić believes that higher education in Republika Srpska, offered at the two public universities in Istočno Sarajevo and Banja Luka, is very good, though there is always room for improvement, and efforts are underway to achieve that.

He noted that the University is satisfied with enrollment for the 2025/2026 academic year, with results better than last year.

“In recent years, we have managed to halt the decline in the number of students enrolling at the University of Istočno Sarajevo,” Kulić said.

He pointed out that the second enrollment period is currently ongoing, with the most precise data expected at the end of September after the third enrollment period, which some faculties may organize.

“I am particularly pleased that some faculties had excellent enrollment this year, especially the Law, Economics, Mechanical, Traffic, Electrical Engineering, Medical faculties, and the Music Academy. Almost all faculties report an increase in enrollment, which we expect to be 15 to 20 percent higher than last year,” Kulić said.

He added that 1,008 students enrolled in the first enrollment period, not including international students attending courses in English.

“This year, there was great interest in enrolling at the Medical Faculty, with three study programs in English. I believe about 150 foreign students will enroll this year,” Kulić said, adding that students from 33 countries study at this faculty.

He also reminded that entrance exams were recently held for students attending courses in English at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and the Faculty of Technology in Zvornik.

“There are candidates, we will see the results, and we look forward to enrolling students at these two faculties as well, because that is the future of this and all serious universities. Thanks primarily to the Medical Faculty, our university has become a regional leader in educating foreign students in English and Russian,” Kulić said.

He believes that international students are the university’s best ambassadors and make an invaluable contribution to its visibility and internationalization.

Kulić added that international exchange of professors, assistants, collaborators, and students with universities worldwide also enhances the visibility of the University of Istočno Sarajevo.

“We have around 120 signed agreements with partner universities in Europe and worldwide. In the past year alone, we signed 11 agreements with partner universities in China, Russia, Hungary, Slovakia, and Georgia. This is particularly important for professors and students of our university who will spend part of their studies abroad and gain valuable experience,” Kulić emphasized.

He noted that high student standards are important for higher education in Republika Srpska and contribute to the interest in enrolling in any faculty at the University of Istočno Sarajevo.

“We are excited that at the beginning of the next academic year, students will move into the new Student Dormitory in Istočno Novo Sarajevo, with a capacity of around 220 places. This is extremely important for our university,” Kulić said.

He also announced that construction of another student dormitory will begin in Foča due to the large number of students enrolling at the Medical Faculty.

“Another modern student dormitory will be built, including a large congress hall. I believe the capacity of the future dormitory in Foča will be around 380 places. The Government of Republika Srpska is investing heavily in student facilities,” Kulić noted.

He emphasized having very good cooperation with directors of student dormitories and student centers across Republika Srpska.

Kulić announced that, on the occasion of University Day, a ceremonial academy will be held on Monday, September 15, at the Administrative Center of the Government of Republika Srpska.

According to him, it will be an opportunity to gather friends of the University who have supported its development, remember its founders, and present appropriate recognitions.

The University of Istočno Sarajevo, originally named the University of Sarajevo of Republika Srpska, was established on September 14, 1992, by a decision of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska.

In line with the Bologna Process, applied since 2006, the University was renamed the University of Istočno Sarajevo and, from the 2007/2008 academic year, became an integrated university with legal entity status, comprising 17 organizational units – 15 faculties and two academies located across 10 cities.