29 Years of Successful Work of the Faculty of Agriculture Marked

With the ceremonial awarding of diplomas to students who have successfully completed the studies of the first and second cycle of studies on 11 October 2021, the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Banja Luka marked 29 years of successful work and development.

At the ceremony in the lecture hall of the Faculty of Political Science, University of Banja Luka, diplomas were awarded to masters of agricultural sciences, masters of agriculture and graduate engineers of agriculture.

Rector of the University of Banja Luka Prof. Radoslav Gajanin, PhD, pointed out that the Faculty of Agriculture could be an example to other members of how to implement international and regional projects.

,,The result is research that our professors publish in internationally recognized scientific journals, which allows our university to position itself internationally.’’, Gajanin said and pointed to the fact that this faculty mainly has national staff.

He also pointed out the importance of the activities of this faculty at the Experimental-Educational Centre in Aleksandrovac, at which it is presented how certain cultures should be grown so as to have maximum yields.

Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of the Republic of Srpska Prof. Boris Pasalic, PhD, said that the relevant ministry provides full support to the development of this faculty, which already has a significant tradition.

He pointed out that the student is always a priority, and that the relevant ministry provides 40,000 KM for startup to every graduate agricultural engineer who has a property in the village and wants to stay there.

,,In combination with the property they have and the knowledge gained at the faculty, we believe that this money is a good starting point for successful agriculture, because our goal is that they apply their knowledge in the field, which is the main condition for agricultural development.’’, Pašalić said.

Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Banja Luka Prof. Zlatan Kovačević, PhD, said that about 100 students graduate from this faculty every year.

,,We are focused on international cooperation, as well as to provide students with as many internships as possible, but also to implement research projects, and we are the only member at the University that is the coordinator of two projects. ", the dean said.

Mihajlo Voruna, a student of the generation of the Faculty of Agriculture, told his younger colleagues that work and commitment pay off, and that this faculty provides a good basis for research work, as well as for field work in solving problems that agricultural producers face in their daily work.

Before the ceremony, a wreath was laid at the bust of the first dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Petar Durman, PhD. The Vice-Dean for Scientific Research and International Cooperation, Prof. Željko Vaško, PhD, gave a speech and referred to the work of Prof. Durman.

The Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Banja Luka started operating on 10 October 1992 in the building of the former College of Agriculture in Banja Luka. From its establishment to 1999, General Study was taught at the faculty, whereafter three new courses were formed: Farming, Fruit and Vine Growing, and Cattle Breeding. Six years later, three study programmes were formed: Animal Production, Plant Production and Agricultural Economics and Rural Development. As of the academic year 2006-2007, this faculty has been organised in accordance with the principles of the Bologna Declaration, with three study programmes and six courses. Today, classes at the faculty are conducted in all cycles of studies, and it has all the infrastructure and personnel and is independent in performing the scientific and teaching process.