Rectorate
University Computer Center
Bulevar vojvode Petra Bojovića 1A , 78 000 Banja Luka
urc@unibl.org
www.urc.unibl.org
The University Computer Centre (UCC) was established in 1991 as part of the Rectorate of the University of Banja Luka. The UCC was established to provide computer services to the University members. Its first director was prof. Miroslav Rogić, PhD. Due to the war, the activities of the UCC were slowed down until 6 May 1995. On that day, the first internet connection was established between the UCC and the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at the University of Belgrade. It was also the first internet connection in the Republic of Srpska and Bosnia and Herzegovina. This project was completed thanks to the enthusiasm of the UCC employees and a group of student volunteers. Telekom Srpske supported the project by donating a radio relay channel on the Banja Luka - Belgrade route. Immediately after that, eight modem dial-up lines were installed to access the network from computers outside the UCC. In October 1999, the computer network of the University of Banja Luka (100 Mbps LAN, 2 Mbps WAN) was established. An optical cable was used to connect the old campus. This was the first implementation of data transmission optics in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Financial and professional assistance for the implementation of the project was provided by the Government of Slovenia, i.e., the academic network of Slovenia ARNES. In addition to all faculties of the University of Banja Luka, the National and University Library of the Republic of Srpska and Banja Luka Grammar School were connected to this network.
The UCC initiated the establishment of the Academic and Research Network of the Republic of Srpska (SARNET), which was officially established by the Republic of Srpska Government in mid-2000.
In September 2018, the implementation of the Faculty Information System was completed, which enabled students to do most of the administrative tasks, including exam registration, from home.
Until 2013, the UCC was located in the premises of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Banja Luka, and as of 23 September 2013, it moved to its own facility, at the address: Bulevar vojvode Petra Bojovića 1A, University Campus.
As a leader in the introduction of new IC technologies in the RS and BH, the UCC was ahead of telecommunications companies in BH in this area. In addition, the UCC was a hub for staff of telecommunications companies that later started their own investments in the Internet, such as Telekom Srpske, BlicNet and others. The policy of open access to the Internet for all young people, students and secondary school pupils, in the early days of Internet development, developed an aptitude of young people for new technologies and, accordingly, the desire and opportunity for their further education in ICT. Some of them have achieved top results in that area and are today high-ranking persons, e.g. directors of the largest companies in Europe (Deutsche Telekom etc).
Employees
When the UCC was established, it had seven employees in addition to the director. Currently, the University Computer Centre has six engineers, one technician and one assistant. The composition of employees comprises: the head of the University Computer Centre, system analyst, programmer, network administrator, system administrator, security administrator, operator and cleaner. The former heads of the University Computer Centre were: prof. Miroslav Rogić, PhD (1991–2007), prof. Slavko Marić, PhD (2007–2008), Branislav Jovković (2008–2015), Nebojša Babić (2015–2016), while the current head of the Centre is Aleksandar Gaćina (2016–).
Brief vision of development
The University Computer Centre is the foundation for computer and information infrastructure of the University, and every year significant financial resources are allocated for its development. The development plan is reflected in the improvement of the existing hardware and software solutions and the introduction of new technologies. The main goals are: digitalisation of business processes through an integrated information system, performance improvement, increasing the level of data security and professional training of employees.