Harvard researchers visiting UNIBL

In the course of their visit to the University of Banja Luka (UNIBL), the researchers from the University of Harvard, Miles Schwartz and Michael Dostmann, visited the Rectorate and met with the Rector, Prof. Radoslav Gajanin, PhD, on 21 October 2025.

Rector Gajanin emphasized that this is the first visit of the researchers from Harvard and pointed out that the goal of the project is to preserve the Serbian Spruce and distribute its seed around the world.

,,The Government of the Republic of Srpska and the Faculty of Forestry are dedicated to this goal. We talked about the future cooperation, not only within this project, but also about the possible signing of an agreement with Harvard and expansion of activities. I am confident that in the future we will collaborate with researchers from Harvard and other universities on similar projects”, said Rector, expressing his hope that the University of Banja Luka will sign a formal Cooperation contract with Harvard University.

Researcher Michael Dostmann praised the work of the UNIBL on researching and conserving the Serbian Spruce in its natural habitat.

,,It is important to collect the seeds and use them in plantations and botanical gardens, not only in the Republic of Srpska, but around the world. We do this to protect and enrich biodiversity.  It is an honor to be here”, said Dostmann.

The Dean of the Faculty of Forestry, Prof. Vojislav Dukić, PhD, pointed out that the faculty already has a developed international cooperation and added that the Harvard researchers held a lecture for students, while Prof. Milan Mataruga pointed out that the work on this project has been ongoing for five years now, and in the next few days there will be field exploration and collecting seed materials together with the researchers from Harvard.

The meeting was attended by the Vice-Rectors, Prof. Kristina Pantelić Babić, PhD, and Prof. Dalibor Kesić, PhD, as well as by the Director of the Institute for Genetic Resources, Prof. Marina Antić, PhD.

The researchers from Harvard visited the University of Banja Luka in order to give their contribution in conservation, restoration, and ex situ preservation of the endangered species of the Serbian Spruce. During the stay, the researchers will collect the seeds of this species, with the permission of the competent ministries, and produce the seedlings and saplings for distribution to botanical gardens and arboretums in North America and Europe.

The goal of this cooperation with the prestigious scientific research institution is to promote the significance of the Serbian Spruce and raise global awareness about the preservation of endangered species.

There was a lecture about studying, working, and researching at Harvard, and concrete activities on preserving the genetic resources of endangered species worldwide, for students, staff, and the interested general public.

Photo: D. Desnica