UNIBL hosts students from Europe

A session of the General Assembly of the European Students’ Union, titled “Board Meeting 89 – Banja Lukaˮ, was officially opened on 13 May 2025 at the Students’ Cultural Center of the University of Banja Luka.

It is the highest session of this overarching student organization that gathers representatives of almost 20 million students from all over Europe. It is the first time this significant event is taking place in the Republic of Srpska and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Minister of Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education of the Republic of Srpska, Associate Professor Željko Budimir, PhD, pointed out that with this event, Banja Luka got an excellent opportunity to promote its system of higher education and its University. He stressed that the RS Government financially supported the organization of this event and praised the organizers – the Students’ parliament of the University of Banja Luka and the Union of students of the Republic of Srpska.

“This is a chance to show that our system of higher education functions in accordance with European standards. We are showing stability, quality, and capacity to be an equal partner in the European education space”, said Budimir.

The Vice-Rector for International and Inter-University Cooperation of the University of Banja Luka, Prof. Kristina Pantelić Babić, PhD, said this event is an opportunity to present the potentials and advantages of the Republic of Srpska and the University of Banja Luka to many students from Europe.

The President of the Students’ Parliament of the University of Banja Luka, Ana Sibinčić, pointed out that the session will last seven days, with participation of 130+ students from more than 40 European countries. She stressed the significance of exchanging ideas and experiences with representatives of the European Students’ Union, along with the possibility of cooperation with other cities and universities from all over Europe.

“We have organized sessions, discussions and panels, to talk about the current issues in the field of student’s organizations, standards and rights, and also to exchange visions and ideas about the future of higher education”, said Sibinčić.

Nikola Šobot, the Vice President of the Union of Students of the Republic of Srpska, said that one of the themes of the General Assembly will also be the European economic integrations. Besides the working part of the program, there are also accompanying activities planned.

“Our goal is to present in the best way our University, city, culture and country, and to show we are worthy hosts of such an event”, said Šobot.

The participants will consider topics of significance for European education policies, bring recommendations and conclusions, and elect the new leadership of the European Students’ Union.

One of the participants, Karlo Škorić from Croatia, praised the organization and pointed out the importance of events like this for the improvement of students’ rights and standards in Europe.

“It is a pleasure to be a part of this event and to have an opportunity to take part in creating future education policies or millions of students”, said Škorić.

Over the course of six days, they will discuss the future of higher education in Europe, student standards, rights, networking, and mutual cooperation. The participants will bring recommendations and conclusions that will impact the creation of educational policies Europe-wide.

Photo: D. Desnica