The Faculty of Agriculture marked 33 years of work

The formal event for the occasion of 33 years of successful work and development, as well as the promotion of graduates of the first and second cycle of studies at the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Banja Luka, was held on 10 October 2025 at the Students’ Cultural Center of the University.

The Rector of the University of Banja Luka, Prof. Radoslav Gajanin, PhD, pointed out that the competencies of graduated engineers of agriculture are really high, and many successful agriculture entrepreneurs in the Republic of Srpska came from this faculty.

,,Besides the quality of the teaching process, the Faculty of Agriculture is also characterized by the staff educated all around Europe. That enabled us to actively participate in the exchange of the teaching and administrative staff, and students, as well as inclusion in a number of projects financed by the EU funds”, said rector Gajanin.

He added that the University of Banja Luka continually works on raising standards in all fields, striving to provide quality education and improved working conditions. The Rector said that the University will continue to support all initiatives that contribute to the development of education, science, innovations, and international cooperation.

The Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Zlatan Kovačević, PhD, reminded us of current projects and international cooperation, and pointed out that a new three-year international project “Interreg” recently commenced, with a budget of about 166.000 EUR.

,,Starting this year, we enrolled students in a four-year Study program ‘Agriculture’ – 240 ECTS, as there were instances where three-year program graduates could not apply for certain posts, or pursue an academic position of an Assistant”, said Dean Kovačević.

The Advisor to the Minister of Scientific Technological Development and Higher Education, Prof. Željana Jovičić, PhD, emphasized that the Faculty of Agriculture is a key higher education institution for the advancement of agriculture and preservation of natural resources in the Republic of Srpska.

,,This Faculty is a center of the development of agriculture and a place where new knowledge and ideas are made, and it is important not only for the academic community but for the whole economic system”, said Jovičić.

Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Saša Lalić, added that this ministry has been continuously supporting the fork of the Faculty, and the financial support surpassed a million KM.

At the event that gathered students, teachers, associates, and many guests, recognitions and awards were delivered to the deserving ones who give selfless support to the development of the Faculty. 32 graduated engineers of agriculture (B.Sc.) and 15 masters (MAs) were promoted.

One of them was Anastasija Đurić, a student of the 2nd cycle, who graduated from the 1st cycle with an average mark of 9,5.

,,I believe that agriculture is the future of the Republic of Srpska, and its development should involve young and educated people”, said Đurić.

In the continuation of the program, flowers were laid at the bust of the first Dean, Prof. Petar Durman, PhD, in front of the faculty building, and in the faculty premises the photo exhibition titled ‘Historical development of the Faculty of Agriculture – 33 years of existence” was opened, displaying the benchmark moments in the history of this institution and reminding us of the three decades of dedicated work in the field of education, science, and agriculture.

Photo: D. Desnica