Seventh scientific conference ‘Students encountering science’

The 7th international scientific conference ‘Students encountering science – StES 2014’, organized by the Students’ Parliament of the University of Banja Luka was officially opened on Nov 26 2014, with 80 papers covering diverse fields being accepted from the host institution, universities of the region and Russia.



The StES conference was first launched in 2008, gathering in the years to come participants from the following countries: FYR Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia, Austria, Ukraine, Russia, Germany and India. Taking place on Nov 26-28 this year, it aims at advancing students’ scholarly work, promoting the spirit of academic community, exchanging ideas and making friends.



At the observance marking the start of the conference the participants and guests were welcomed by Ms Zorica Grahovac, the chairperson of the Organization Committee of the Conference. ‘I am honoured to be hosting the event gathering, for seven consecutive years, a great number of students who, by virtue of their knowledge and scientific achievements, bring change into both the world and academic community, making it richer by day for a new scholar’, pointed out Ms Grahovac.

The audience were then welcomed by Mr Branko Petrovic, the chairperson of the Students’ Parliament of the University of Banja Luka, emphasizing the fact that ‘what we find the most inspiring thought is the young people being preoccupied with a world-building activity’.



Reminding the present of the fact that science had played a major role throughout history, as well as of the fact that the civilization progress had been made in the first place by visionaries, scientists and researchers, making up less than 1% of the global population, Mr Petrovic said he was proud to be a part of the group of people dealing with science and research, building up not only themselves, but the whole society.



On behalf of the Scientific Board of the conference, the participants were welcomed by Prof. Milan Mataruga, Vice-Rector for Scholarly Issues, pointing out the fact that such events offer a great opportunity for professors to work together with their students and recognize those among them who show talent, wish and affinities for science. ‘To those presenting the results of their work for the first time I make a wish that it be the initial step to encourage their efforts in pursuing academic goals’, said Prof. Mataruga, congratulating the Organization Committee on the endeavours made to ensure the success of the conference.

The next address came by Prof. Stanko Stanic, Rector of the University. ‘Above all, I can see here young people who stand for the future of the university. Your first papers might recommend you for teaching positions at the university’, said Prof. Stanic, expressing his conviction that the fields they come from and prepare for will be represented in the best possible way. The Rector also commended the Students’ Parliament of the University of Banja Luka, stating the fact that’ such an organization of the event proves the claim that the University and Republic of Srpska are truly proud of our students’.



In the end, there followed the address of Prof. Jasmin Komic, Minister of Science and Technology of the Government of the Republic of Srpska, who said that the Ministry, that is, the Government find it a strategic course to invest into the technological development and education of young people, that investment being the most important one in order to secure the future.



‘When compared to the most developed economies of the world, our investments may seem inadequate, but I can assure you that we are trying, within our capacities, to support young people in these activities, offering them scholarships and other programmes intended for young researchers’, stated the Minister.

The observance was crowned by the plenary lecture given by Prof. Branko Blanusa, after which the conference proceeded with panel sessions organized at various faculties of the University.