MASTILOVIĆ: ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS - BACKBONE OF DEVELOPMENT OF SRPSKA

ISTOČNO SARAJEVO, JUNE 26 /SRNA/ - The Minister for Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education of Republika Srpska, Draga Mastilović, said that today’s graduation ceremony for graduates of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at the University of Istočno Sarajevo is important for the entire Republika Srpska, as they will be the backbone of its economic and scientific-technological development.

"Today we can see the results of the measures the government of Republika Srpska has taken in recent years to improve student standards and the infrastructure of our faculties at both public universities," Mastilović told reporters while attending the graduation ceremony for 49 engineers and one master of electrical engineering.

He announced that the Government of Republika Srpska will continue to increase investment in higher education in order to improve its quality, both through student welfare and faculty infrastructure.

"We are entering a cycle of investment in scientific and technological development in Republika Srpska," Mastilović said, noting that the government’s budget rebalance has allocated additional funds for scientific research projects this year, and that these funds are planned to be significantly higher next year.

Mastilović said that construction of a science and technology park in Banja Luka will begin this year, as well as the process of establishing scientific research institutes, which are a prerequisite not only for scientific and technological development, but also for the economic development of Srpska, and an opportunity for young graduates to demonstrate the knowledge they acquired at university and their creativity.

"We hope that in the coming years, thanks to joint efforts of the universities and the Government of Republika Srpska, there will be an increasing number of students at our public universities," Mastilović concluded.