Turkish ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina visited the University of Banja Luka

The ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Bosnia and Herzegovina, His Excellence Mr Cihad Erginay, visited the University of Banja Luka with his associates on September 16th 2014.

The honoured guests were welcomed by the Rector, Prof. Stanko Stanic, and Vice-Rector for International Cooperation, Prof. Valerija Saula, the dominating topic of this first official visit of the Turkish ambassador being the cooperation of the University of Banja Luka with universities in Turkey, that is, possibilities of expanding the existing level of cooperation in the following period.



The Rector expressed his gratitude to the guests for having showed interest in visiting the University, and briefly presented the largest institution of higher education in the Republic of Srpska, while the Vice-Rector used the opportunity to inform the ambassador and his associates of the intense activities of the University regarding international cooperation, above all of the fact that the cooperation extends to some of the Turkish universities, such as the Yildiz Technical University from Istanbul, University of Ankara, Kastamonu University, as well as with the International Burch University of Sarajevo.

His Excellence was pleasantly surprised to hear about the existing cooperation of the University of Banja Luka with the aforementioned Turkish universities, adding that this sort of cooperation is very important when the overall cooperation between countries is concerned. ‘I consider universities holy places where strong bonds among people are established, not only in the field of education,’pointed out the ambassador.



Having been remarked in the course of conversation that the student exchange programme was not at the satisfactory level, that despite the opportunities offered at Turkish universities few students use these opportunities in their full potential, both the hosts and guests agreed to do more regarding this issue in the future period.

‘You can be reassured that all your students will be treated with hospitality, and I would like to pass this message to them in person, in an informal meeting where they can pose all the questions about the things that interest them,’ said the ambassador, maintaining that he and his associates are at disposal to any student willing to continue their education at a Turkish university. He also added that the University of Banja Luka could expect all sorts of support if they decided to establish the Turkish Department.



Having agreed that foundations for closer cooperation and more intense student exchange programme should be laid, the Rector said that the same hospitality could be expected for the prospective Turkish students at the University of Banja Luka, and expressed his hopes that some of them would accept the invitation to take part at the scientific conference Students encountering science, traditionally organized by the Students’ Parliament of the University of Banja Luka. ‘That could be a great initial step towards mutual exchange of students,’pointing out that visits of high dignitaries, such as this one, contribute a lot to strengthening the existing and expanding future cooperation between the institutions of higher education.