DEEPER ACADEMIC COOPERATION BETWEEN REPUBLIKA SRPSKA AND RUSSIA

MOSCOW, APRIL 27 /SRNA/ – Republika Srpska Minister for Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education Draga Mastilović has stated that deepening academic and scientific cooperation with Ivanovo State University represents a significant step in strengthening international academic ties between Republika Srpska and the Russian Federation.

During his visit to Ivanovo State University, Mastilović met with Rector and Chairperson of the Scientific Council of the Ivanovo Region Aleksey Maligin to discuss advancing cooperation in higher education and scientific research, as well as the implementation of joint research projects. "Such meetings allow us to jointly define concrete directions of action, from collaborative research to the development of study programs, which is of great importance for improving the quality of higher education", Mastilović stressed. At a ceremonial session of the Scientific Council, Mastilović was presented with a robe and diploma as symbols of the recently awarded title of Honorary Professor of Ivanovo State University, a significant recognition of his scientific and educational work and his contribution to the development of international academic cooperation, the line ministry said in a statement. Mastilović also delivered a lecture to students of social sciences and humanities on the topic "Genocide against Serbs in the NDH", in which he spoke about the historical context, the suffering of the Serbian people during World War II and the importance of preserving a culture of remembrance and a scholarly approach to studying these topics. He emphasized that it is the duty of the academic community to address the suffering of the Serbian people in a scientifically grounded manner and to pass on the truth to younger generations in order to preserve memory and foster a culture of remembrance. The meeting also highlighted the importance of strengthening institutional ties between universities from Republika Srpska and the Russian Federation, expressing readiness to further deepen cooperation. "The contribution of Minister and Professor Mastilović to the development of historical science is difficult to overestimate. His research, based on rigorous methodology in source analysis and systematic work with archival documents, sets high standards of academic integrity. We are proud that he has become part of our academic family", Maligin said. He thanked Mastilović for his long-standing contribution to science, education and the preservation of historical truth.