Agreement on Cooperation of Two Public Universities with the Elektroprivreda Republike Srpske Signed

Rector of the University of Banja Luka Prof. Radoslaav Gajanin, PhD, President of the Steering Board of the University of East Sarajevo Prof. Darko Đogo, PhD, and Director of MH Elektroprivreda Republike Srpske (eng. Power Supply Utility of the Republic of Srpska) Luka Petrović, MSc, signed an Agreement on Understanding and Cooperation on 22 June 2020, in Trebinje.

As the most significant result of previous activities and the Agreement itself, a model of hiring 100 young experts from two public universities (young researchers, graduates, associates and assistant professors) has been agreed, who will have the possibility of getting additionally engaged in different projects and consulting projects funded under the Elektroprivreda Republike Srpske. For these purposes, the largest business entity in the Republic of Srpska will allocate significant financial resources in the next three years. 

Rector of the University of Banja Luka Prof. Radoslav Gajanin, PhD, thanked for the implementation of this important Agreement, stating that this Agreement enables significant engagement of the academic community in resolving current issues and important programme activities within the Elektrokrajina Republike Srpske.

,,Our students will have the possibility to have this company's internship’’, Rector Gajanin stated, adding that the engagement of future assistants at the faculties is especially significant and that he hopes that both sides will be satisfied.

Director General of the Elektroprivreda Republike Srpske Luka Petrović said that he was extremely satisfied with the Agreement signed and talks with representatives of the two public Universities, and stated that cooperation between the business and the academic sectors is the key to successful development of the economy and society as a whole in the Republic of Srpska.

,,With this, we have provided grounds for the inclusion of scientists from the Republic of Srpska, and, according to data, there are more than 2,500 of them involved in the teaching process, who must be given a chance to be more significantly involved in the economy of the Republic of Srpska’’, Petrović stated. 

He emphasized that the symbiosis of science and economy creates the best staff that will develop these two Universities.
According to the Director General, this company is ready to hire 100 young experts on different jobs and projects carried out by Elektroprivreda Republike Srpske as of 1 October of this year. This will be a significant impetus for the employment of young professionals and their stay in the Republic of Srpska. The Director General emphasized that the basis for the engagement of young professionals lies in the development and investments of the ERS, which are now in the greatest momentum since its establishment. 

President of the Steering Board of the University of East Sarajevo Prof. Darko Đogo, PhD, pointed to the importance of signing this agreement so that young, university-educated people would stay after completing their studies in the Republic of Srpska.
According to the provisions of the signed Agreement, the parties are determined to intensify cooperation in different areas of mutual interest, such as economic development and economic potentials in the Republic of Srpska, and creating a favourable entrepreneurial climate for foreign and domestic investments in energy, development of scientific and technological potentials and scientific-research infrastructure, which is in the function of encouraging innovation, transfer of knowledge and technologies, development of entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial initiative, as well as wider use of new technologies that the companies in the Republic of Srpska dealing with energy will benefit from. The implementation of joint projects and practices that are of mutual interest, as well as other activities, is also planned. Under this agreement, there will be exchange of experiences on the organisation and performing of activities of common interest, participation of experts in joint bodies and commissions dealing with areas and issues of mutual interest, mutual use of infrastructure, laboratories, databases, equipment, facilities and other material resources, organisation and implementation of joint projects of all types and forms, joint appearances at public competitions of mutual interest, in the Republic of Srpska, BiH and abroad, as well as a number of other activities. 

Everyone present emphasized that this Agreement is a reflection of the synergy between the academic community and the business sector, which is one of the fundamental and proclaimed principles of the new Law on Higher Education. Accordingly, the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Technology Transfer at the University of Banja Luka has been designated as a future contact point for all specific activities arising from this Agreement.  

The signing of this important agreement was, on behalf of the University of Banja Luka, attended by the Chairman of the Steering Board Prof. Rajko Gnjato, PhD, Secretary General Đorđe Markez, MA, and Senior Associate for Entrepreneurship Development Predrag Govedarica.

Initiative for a new study programme in Trebinje 

During the day, a meeting was held in the City of Trebinje Administration, which was attended by the mayor of this city Mirko Ćurić, Rector Gajanin, President of the Steering Board of the University of East Sarajevo Prof. Darko Đogo, PhD, General Director of ERS Luka Petrović, Secretary General of the University of Banja Luka Đorđe Markez, Senior Associate for Entrepreneurship Development Predrag Govedarica, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Banja Luka Prof. Zlatan Kovačević, PhD, and Vice Dean for Scientific Research and International Cooperation of this Faculty Prof. Zeljko Vaško.

They talked about the possibility of starting a new study programme titled Mediterranean Agriculture, which would be based in Trebinje and would operate as part of one of the two public Universities in the Republic of Srpska. This study programme should take in the first students in the school year 2021-22, it was said after the meeting.

Mayor Ćurić said that it was agreed that the City of Trebinje and the two public Universities agree on the specific cooperation in the forthcoming period in order to prepare a study and thereafter the licensing of this study programme. 

Rector of the University of Banja Luka Prof. Radoslav Gajanin, PhD, stated that there is a serious justification for establishing this study programme in Trebinje, but that the help of the City of Trebinje is necessary in providing appropriate premises for work, as well as accommodation for future students. Gajanin pointed out that in the next twenty days, it will be known at which of the two public universities in the RS this study programme will be, while the study and licensing of the programme is expected by the end of the year.