ŠKRBIĆ: FOREIGN STUDENT INTEREST IN UNIVERSITY OF BANJA LUKA IS SURGING

BANJA LUKA, SEPTEMBER 19 /SRNA/ – The Acting Rector of the University of Banja Luka Ranko Škrbić said there was enormous interest among foreign students in studying at the university and stressed that the institution must be ready to open up further in that direction, as this would strengthen its international visibility and recognition.

"There is enormous demand for education from abroad, particularly from China and India. They are asking for more than we can currently offer. If we had the capacity to offer 100 programs, we could have 100 students for each of those 100 programs coming to Banja luka," Škrbić said on a podcast produced by the Republika Srpska media system - SRNA. He said that by attracting and working with foreign students, the University of Banja Luka, and Republika Srpska as a whole, strengthens its own capacities while also providing better and higher-quality opportunities for domestic students. "Education must be a priority for this country, and at this moment it is far more profitable than any branch of industry," Škrbić pointed out. He noted that the University of Banja Luka recorded a slight increase in student enrollment during this year's two admission periods compared with the previous year. "For the fifth consecutive year, we have had foreign students at the Faculty of Medicine, and this year there is also strong interest in the new Nursing study program. That will mean an additional 250 to 300 students, so this international dimension will be increasingly visible in the city and will significantly contribute to greater visibility and international recognition of the University of Banja Luka," Škrbić stressed. He said leading universities around the world had grown by opening their doors to foreign students and offering attractive study programs. "We must be ready to open up in that direction," Škrbić said.