Rehabilitation of a memorial room on the University Campus

The Rector of the University of Banja Luka, Prof. Radoslav Gajanin, PhD, received a delegation of former soldiers of the Second Armored Brigade of the Army of the Republic of Srpska and members of the School Center of Armored and Mechanized Units “Petar Drapšin”, which existed in the area of the present University Campus – former barracks “Mladen Stojanović”, on 26 March 2025.

The delegation was led by Prof. Ostoja Barašin, PhD, and General Milorad Kutlešić, who presented the Rector with information on the rehabilitation of the memorial room situated in the University Campus, and further activities to that aim. During the meeting in the Rectorate, it was pointed out that further activities in refurbishing and equipping of the memorial room have been planned, so that this significant segment of history is adequately presented to new generations. They also stressed the importance of preserving the historical heritage of this Center which had a key role in training the armored and mechanized army units.

Rector Gajanin expressed full support to these activities and University’ readiness to help in further activities on rehabilitation of the memorial room, in the aim of preserving the memory on the School Center “Petar Drapšin”.

The School Center of Armored and Mechanized Unites was established on 26 March 1944 in El Khattabi, Egypt, and continued its work two years later in Bela Crkva.  This Center was moved to Banja Luka, i.e. the then barracks “Mladen Stojanović” in 1948, when it was named School Center of Armored and Mechanized Units “Petar Drapšin”, after a National Hero and the Commander of the First Tank Army of the National Liberation Army.

In the course of its existence, this Center played a significant role in training the staff of armored and mechanized units, contributing to the military strategy and tactics. Generations of officers and non-commissioned officers were trained in this Center, which adjusted its work to technological advancement and contemporary trends in armored warfare. Its significance was particularly seen in 1992, when the weaponry and human resources of the School Center were used to form the Second Armor Brigade of the Army of the Republic of Srpska.

In the University Campus today, there is a memorial room that keeps the memory of this Center and the Second Armored Brigade of the Army of the Republic of Srpska.