MASTILOVIĆ: FACULTY OF MEDICINE ONE OF THE PILLARS OF REPUBLIKA SRPSKA

BANJA LUKA, NOVEMBER 15 /SRNA/ - The Faculty of Medicine of the University of Banja Luka is one of the pillars of Republika Srpska, and every effort is being made to ensure that the professionals trained there remain in Republika Srpska, Minister for Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education Draga Mastilović said.

The Faculty of Medicine of the University of Banja Luka is marking its 48th anniversary today and awarding degrees to 173 graduates, including 82 doctors of medicine.

"We will continue to make every effort to strengthen human resources and research capacities," Mastilović told reporters in Banja Luka ahead of the formal academy marking the Faculty of Medicine's 48th anniversary.

Mastilović said that the Faculty trains professionals for one of the noblest professions and thereby contributes to the further development of Republika Srpska.

He stressed that the Government's aim was for the graduates receiving their degrees today to find employment in Republika Srpska.

"Everything we do in the fields of higher education and scientific and technological development is directed precisely towards them, so that they stay in Republika Srpska and put everything they have learned to use in its development," Mastilović added.

He said that the Government had allocated BAM four million this year to adapt the old surgery building for the needs of the Banja Luka Faculty of Medicine and to purchase modern equipment.

"A major project to build a medical campus lies ahead of us," Mastilović said.

University of Banja Luka Rector Ranko Škrbić said that the anniversary of the Faculty of Medicine's founding and work was an opportunity to recall that it was the largest faculty within the University, which made a significant contribution to strengthening the capacity of Republika Srpska's healthcare system as a whole.

"This is a source of pride for both the University and Republika Srpska, which understands and supports everything being done at the Faculty of Medicine. I thank the relevant minister and the Government for their wholehearted assistance in developing our University," Škrbić said.

Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Radoslav Gajanin said that today they are awarding degrees to 82 doctors of medicine, 16 doctors of dental medicine, 27 master's degree holders in pharmacy and 48 graduates in nursing.

"I wish them every success in their future professional lives. The Faculty remains available to them as they continue their professional development," Gajanin said.

Bogdan Veleušić, the top student of the Medicine study programme, said that all his hard work had paid off and that he had achieved his goal of securing a position at the Neurology Clinic of the University Clinical Centre of Republika Srpska.

Lejla Tica, the top student of the Pharmacy study programme, thanked the professors for all their support throughout her education.

"It is a great responsibility to hold the title of Student of the Generation. Our journey does not end here; we all have a responsibility to continue our professional development and contribute in every way we can to our healthcare system," Tica said.