Milorad Dodik Visited the Faculty of Political Sciences: New Study Programs Were Discussed

On 22 October 2019, Serb Member of BiH Presidency Milorad Dodik talked with the heads of the Faculty of Political Sciences of the University of Banja Luka about the new study programs at this faculty.

After the meeting held at the Faculty of Political Sciences, also attended by Rector of the University of Banja Luka Professor Radoslav Gajanin, PhD, and RS Minister of Scientific and Technological Development, Higher Education and Information Society Srdjan Rajcevic, MA, Dodik stressed that the Republic of Srpska needs an overall education reform and that a new law on higher education needs to be passed. 

,,We need an overall and visible education reform, because we have to have people who will be able to cope with the challenges of modern age’’, Dodik said and emphasized that the Faculty of Political Sciences has made a research and has come to the conclusion that 70 percent of graduated students were employed, thus proving that the stereotypes about young people not being able to find jobs was not true.

Dodik is of the opinion that it is necessary to reconsider the negative practices of some private faculties of issuing diplomas for a certain amount of money.
,,We will need to introduce some gradation, and enable the students who graduate from state faculties to be 'more visible' in the labour market. Our expectations are high and I am delighted to see that the Faculty of Political Sciences has recognized the enthusiasm and will to do something“, Dodik said and emphasized that the RS institutions will provide funds and logistics and so support the reforms and passing of the law on higher education so as to set up some order.

He also stressed the need to have a magazine in which scientific achievements in the Republic of Srpska would be evaluated.

,,Our experts have difficulties in publishing their papers in the West, because of who they are and which political structure they belong to. Minister Rajcevic and I will support the launch of such a magazine in the forthcoming period’’, Dodik said.

Minister Rajcevic said that the Faculty of Political Sciences is aware of the importance of reform principles like rationalization, modernization and internalization.

"The Faculty of Political Sciences has begun innovating the study program of political science, namely the Department of International Relations and Public Administration. I am pleased to see that there will also be some innovative courses that we have not had so far, including digital diplomacy. That's the direction we have to take", Minister Rajcevic said.

Rector of the University of Banja Luka Professor Radoslav Gajanin, PhD, stresses that the University is fully supportive of the changes that keep pace with the times and announced higher education reforms. He also said that the changes at the Faculty of Political Sciences were in line with the reforms envisaged by the Ministry of Scientific and Technological Development, Higher Education and Information Society. Rector Gajanin thanked the Serb Member of BiH Presidency for his visit and unselfish support to the higher education development.

Dean of the Faculty of Political Sciences of the University of Banja Luka Professor Zdravko Zlokapa, PhD, who introduced the guests with the modernization of study programs, says that this faculty has prepared four brand new study programs at the first cycle of studies.

,,We had a good response, and the changes that are to be introduced deserve it. New modern times require new people who are ready to embrace new knowledge, who are open-minded. Although the Faculty of Political Sciences is not a technical faculty, it must keep up with the times’’, Dean Zlokapa said and explained that the reforms also refer to the preparation of students for their new professions.

The Faculty of Political Sciences has prepared new study programs at the first cycle of studies, presenting contemporary social trends such as digital transformation, information society, digital technologies and practical training.

The meeting was also attended by Vice Rector for Scientific Research and University Development Professor Goran Latinovic, PhD, Vice Dean for Teaching and Student Affairs of the Faculty of Political Sciences Professor Dusko Trninic, PhD, heads of study programs at this faculty, representatives of student organizations etc.