DODIK PLEDGES CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR UNIVERSITY AND STUDENT AND PROFESSOR WELFARE

BANJA LUKA, NOVEMBER 7 /SRNA/ – SNSD President Milorad Dodik expressed pride in the 50th milestone celebration of the University of Banja Luka and announced that he will continue to support both staff and students, develop infrastructure, and improve their material conditions.

"I would like to congratulate the students and coworkers on this milestone. This is just the beginning. I have led the political majority in Republika Srpska for 23 years, always striving to ensure that universities, as our strategic centers, have the best possible conditions and grow stronger," Dodik said at a ceremonial academy marking 50 years of the University of Banja Luka, held at the Banski Dvor Cultural Center. He thanked the Minister of Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education of Republika Srpska Siniša Karan for his dedicated work, and called for student scholarships to be increased by 50 percent as a demonstration of additional care. "Education and culture have always been pillars to which Republika Srpska has devoted attention. We want to develop a society that values tradition," Dodik said. He noted that efforts have been made to preserve educational and cultural institutions. "While I was the Prime Minister of Republika Srpska, I advocated for greater investment in public universities because everything threatened to demotivate students from pursuing studies at public faculties," Dodik stressed. He reminded that 15 years ago he called for the best students to be employed at faculties, and said this practice will continue. "We will continue investing in infrastructure. It is important that, within strategic planning, more students choose fields like food production and energy," Dodik emphasized. He stressed the importance of remaining committed to the Serbian Orthodox Church and other religious organizations to preserve traditional values. Dodik thanked Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó for cooperation; Szijjártó was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Banja Luka but could not attend, as he is in the US for a meeting with President Donald Trump. He also expressed gratitude to the governments and authorities of Serbia, who have long supported Republika Srpska. "This is a major success, and thanks to President Aleksandar Vučić, our students enjoy domestic student status. Many professors have come here, helping to raise the quality of teaching," Dodik underlined. He urged students to cultivate a greater sense of patriotism and to return to Republika Srpska, emphasizing that Srpska and Serbia are a homeland that must remain a core value for every individual. "We need people who unite into a strong community. I have always been proud of what I represent," Dodik said at the ceremonial academy.