Honorary doctorate of the UNIBL awarded to Minister Szijjártó

The Rector of the University of Banja Luka, Prof. Radoslav Gajanin, PhD, delivered the honorary doctorate to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, Péter Szijjártó, on 27 November 2025. 

In his address to the present audience in the Students’ Cultural Center, Rector Gajanin emphasized that the University awards honorary doctorates to prominent persons who contribute significantly to the development of the teaching process, research, art, and overall achievements. 

“This title is awarded only to those whose work leaves a lasting mark and ascends our academic community”, the Rector said, and reminded that the first honorary doctorates were awarded in 1989, and thus far 14 exceptional individuals have been the laureates of this honor.

Speaking about the recipient, the Rector said that Minister Szijjártó has been continuously contributing to strengthening the cooperation between the Republic of Srpska and Hungary.

We are proud to have the University of Banja Luka as a part of that cooperation with Minister Péter Szijjártó, which is reflected in support for education, research, and scientific initiatives important for our development. By awarding the honorary doctorate, we are rewarding his consistent work on strengthening the relationship between the Republic of Srpska, Hungary, and our University. With this recognition, we confirm our readiness to build bridges among nations, institutions, and cultures, and Mr. Szijjártó becomes a part of the large academic family of the University of Banja Luka“, said the Rector.

Minister Szijjártó thanked for this prestigious recognition, announcing continuing cooperation with the Republic of Srpska in the field of agricultural production, as well as its deepening in the sector of education and science. He stressed that the program of Hungarian support to investments in agriculture in the Republic of Srpska yielded positive results, emphasizing that farmers purchased a large quantity of equipment from Hungarian companies.

The Serb member of BiH Presidency, Željka Cvijanović, characterized the University of Banja Luka as the heart of the Republic of Srpska higher education system, and one of the most important and most distinguished institutions in the country. 

“Minister Szijjártó has rare characteristics of a diplomat, which are more and more absent in today’s Europe. In times when diplomacy often uses the language of conflict, he speaks in the language of peace, affirming dialogue and building bridges of cooperation in situations of hostilities and taking sides”, said Cvijanović, emphasizing that the Republic of Srpska highly appreciates the Hungarian approach and principled attitude.

SNSD Leader, Milorad Dodik, said that honorary doctorates of the University of Banja Luka are awarded to special and gifted persons, and Minister Szijjártó is one of them. 

“We are proud on everything we did for the cooperation of the Republic of Srpska and Hungary. Honorary doctorates were awarded to 14 persons, which shows they are not easily given”, said Dodik.

The Minister for Scientific Technological Development and Higher Education of the Republic of Srpska, Prof. Siniša Karan, PhD, said that this recognition is an honor for the University that celebrates 50 years of existence, pointing out the long-standing good cooperation between the Republic of Srpska and Hungary in the field of science, technology, and higher education. 

“The strategic framework we set is a base for long-term cooperation and an incentive for new success in both countries”, said Karan.

The ceremony was attended by many persons from public life and academic community, including Acting President of the Republic of Srpska, Ana Trišić Babić, Speaker of the RS National Assembly, Stevandić, Prime-Minister Savo Minić, ministers in the RS Government, President of the RS Academy of Science and Art, Academician Prof. Dragoljub Mirjanić, PhD, Chairman of the Steering Board of the University of Banja Luka, Prof. Biljana Antunović, PhD, Vice-Rectors Prof. Dalibor Kesić, PhD, Prof. Aleksandar Ostojić, PhD, Prof. Kristina Pantelić Babić, PhD, and many other.

Photo: D. Desnica