SZIJJÁRTÓ AND BOLLI AWARDED HONORARY DOCTORATES

BANJA LUKA, November 7 /SRNA/ – Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó and American professor Roberto Bolli were awarded honorary doctorates at a ceremonial event marking the 50th anniversary of the University of Banja Luka.

At the ceremony, it was emphasized that Minister Szijjártó's support for Republika Srpska and the Serb people has been clear and unwavering, and that he is receiving the honorary doctorate in recognition of his merits and contributions to the development of economic and diplomatic relations between Republika Srpska and Hungary. Minister Szijjártó addressed the audience via video link and expressed his gratitude for the honor. "I take this opportunity to congratulate you on your anniversary. This is something I will be proud of. We attach great importance to our cooperation with Republika Srpska. Starting next year, our student scholarship program will begin. Happy anniversary, and thank you," Szijjártó said. An honorary doctorate was also awarded to Roberto Bolli, a full professor at the University of Louisville School of Medicine in the United States. "Professor Bolli is an outstanding scientist and researcher whose work in cardiology and the development of cell therapy for heart tissue regeneration is of global significance. His scientific contributions, numerous awards, and successful training programs for young researchers, as well as his promotion of cardiovascular science, have left a lasting mark on medicine and the research community," stated the decision's explanation. In his address, Bolli said he was honored to receive this recognition, which he described as one of the greatest achievements of his career. "I see this award as the beginning of a long-term collaboration between our two institutions. This country upholds high moral values and faith in God. I assure you that I will continue to support research at this university," Bolli emphasized. A recognition was also presented to academician Rajko Tomaš, who was named Professor Emeritus. He spent his entire career at the Faculty of Economics of the University of Banja Luka, where he was promoted through all teaching and research positions. Tomaš noted that he was one of the University's founders as a first-year student at the Faculty of Economics. "I never imagined that 50 years later I would be awarded the title of Professor Emeritus. The credit for this belongs to my former students who initiated this recognition," Tomaš said.