The Seventh International Conference on the Study of English Language and Literature (CELLS) opened on 25 September 2026 in the Chamber Hall of the Academy of Arts of the University of Banja Luka, bringing together more than 40 participants from 12 countries.
The conference opened with remarks from the British Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, H. E. Dawn McCann, who thanked the University leadership for inviting her and expressed hope that the event would mark the beginning of renewed, productive cooperation with the University of Banja Luka.
“During my tenure, I will work to deepen cooperation with academic institutions, civil society organizations and politicians,” McCann said in her address to the media.
Acting Rector Škrbić expressed his satisfaction that experts from around the world had gathered at the conference, noting that such events contribute to the advancement of international cooperation.
“Our goal is to present our university as well as possible. These ties with other institutions in Europe and around the world are beneficial to us in raising the University’s ranking to a higher level,” Rector Škrbić said.
He added that networking with other universities strengthens the University of Banja Luka and creates better conditions for studying.
This year’s conference theme is “The Music of Language and the Language of Music: Static and Dynamic Perspectives on Expression, Form and Meaning”, and the two-day event will explore the relationship between music and linguistics, literature and teaching, as well as these fields in the context of the development of artificial intelligence.
Prof. Jasna Jurišić Rolić, PhD, noted that this year’s theme presents a major challenge, particularly in the context of the development of artificial intelligence.
“No one should be afraid of artificial intelligence, because we are living in an age of revolution. We need to identify both its positive and negative aspects and, based on that, embrace what is good, while in any case moving forward,” Rolić said.
The keynote speakers at the conference are John Frederick Bailyn of Stony Brook University in the USA, Franc Marušič of the University of Nova Gorica in Slovenia, and Miloš Zatkalik of the University of Arts in Belgrade.
The conference is organized by the Department of English Studies of the Faculty of Philology and the Department of Music Theory and Composition of the Academy of Arts of the University of Banja Luka.
Meeting with the Rector and Vice-Rectors
As part of her visit to the University of Banja Luka, the Ambassador met with Acting Rector Prof. Ranko Škrbić, PhD, Acting Vice-Rectors Prof. Dalibor Kesić, PhD, and Prof. Kristina Pantelić Babić, PhD, with whom she discussed opportunities to strengthen cooperation between the University of Banja Luka and the British Embassy, particularly in the areas of education, scientific research, student and academic staff exchange, and connections with the British academic community.
The Ambassador’s speech at the opening of the conference is available here.
Photo: D. Desnica
