MASTILOVIĆ: OVER BAM 30 MILLION FOR HIGHER EDUCATION IN FOČA

FOČA, SEPTEMBER 12 /SRNA/ – The Republika Srpska Government will invest more than BAM 30 million in higher education and student facilities in Foča this year, Minister for Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education Draga Mastilović stated today.

After the laying of the foundation stone for the construction of the simulation and administrative center of the Faculty of Medicine in Foča, Mastilović said the Republika Srpska Government would provide more than BAM 4.8 million for the project, while the faculty would allocate BAM 2 million of its own money .

Mastilović stressed that the Faculty of Medicine in Foča with more than 2,500 students from 40 countries and its dedicated work, had earned the attention and support of the line ministry and the Republika Srpska Government.

He reiterated the new facility, once operational, would significantly improve working conditions for employees as well as training conditions for students of the Faculty of Medicine.

"The Government insisted that this project should get underway as soon as possible, and today we had the pleasure of starting the works," Mastilović told reporters.

The minister praised Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Dejan Bokonjić and his team, as well as University of Istočno Sarajevo Rector Milan Kulić, saying that through their dedicated work they were raising the standard of higher education in this part of Republika Srpska.

Mastilović announced that construction of a new student center in Foča was also expected to begin soon, with more than BAM 25 million secured for the project.

"With the simulation and administrative center included, we come to the fact that the Republika Srpska Government, led by Prime Minister Savo Minić, has invested more than BAM 30 million this year alone in higher education and student services in Foča," Mastilović said.

He said these were good examples of investment, stressing that the Faculty of Medicine, the Faculty of Orthodox Theology and Foča itself all deserved such support.