The University of Banja Luka made several decisions regarding the ways of providing help to the flood-affected areas in the Republic of Srpska

There were several decisions made at the meetings of the Deans’ Board and the Steering Board of the University of Banja Luka respectively, held on May 19th of providing help to the citizens of the Republic of Srpska and the Brcko District struck by catastrophic floods, as well as of making all the human and technical resources of the University at disposal to the authorities for these purposes.



The Headquarters for coordination of these activities was formed, with Prof. Drasko Marinkovic, Vice-Rector, the Chaiperson, the other members of the Headquarters being representatives of the Rectory, the Faculty of Medicine, the Students’ Parliament, the College of Internal Affairs and the Students’ Union respectively, whose task is to design an operational plan regarding the engagement of the staff and students of the University.

The said Headquarters will serve as a liaison of the University of Banja Luka with the Emergency Headquarters of the Republic of Srpska. At the same time, at every organizational unit, the Vice-Deans for teaching process and chiefs of Trade Union organizations are appointed commissioners for coordination of activities of these units with the University Headquarters.

   

It was recommended to each organizational unit to make a 5,000 BAM payment into the unique account of the Government of the Republic of Srpska intended for the endangered persons. Furthermore, all employees of the University are kindly asked to give up on certain percentage of their April salary, the figures proposed being at least 5% for administrative staff, 10% for professors and teaching assistants. These funds would be directed towards the students and employees of the University of Banja Luka struck by the catastrophe.

As regards the teaching process, end-of term exams and final exams, the recommendation of the Boards, which has to be confirmed by the Emergency Headquarters of the Republic of Srpska, is that these activities be prolonged for one week at the expense of summer break. Thus the Students’ Parliament’s initiative was unanimously accepted, for the reasons of numerous students being involved voluntarily in the activities aimed at providing help to the endangered citizens.

The remaining field school activities are postponed for the following academic year. The authorities of the University are unanimous in their offer for help to the Faculty of Transportation of the University of Istocno Sarajevo, which is located in the town of Doboj,and which is directly hit by catastrophic floods.

In addition, the University authorities support the idea of the Government of the Republic of Srpska forming the Solidarity Fund through which to raise funds for helping the flood-affected areas, and the University, together with the Students’ Centre, will undertake all the necessary 2014, regarding the ways efforts to take care of the students from the flood-affected areas that are accommodated in the dormitories of the University.

Finally, the members of the Steering Board of the University made a decision to immediately donate half of their monthly allowance as a humanitarian aid, and invite members of all steering and control boards in the Republic of Srpska to act in a similar way.