Republika Srpska and the Russian Federation are developing extensive scientific and educational cooperation, fostering ties that have actively strengthened over the past years, largely due to the friendship between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Republika Srpska’s President Milorad Dodik, said Viktor Koksharov, rector of the Ural Federal University.
In an interview with SRNA, Koksharov stated that a delegation from the Ural University held discussions with the leaderships of the universities in East Sarajevo and Banja Luka, achieving specific results regarding the organization of joint research in areas such as demography, social and political studies, the role of youth in modern social policies, and the role of women.
“In this way, we are working on enhancing the effectiveness of scientific research and stimulating such studies at our universities,” Koksharov explained.
According to him, universities in Republika Srpska and Russia have jointly published articles in academic journals and established the Center for Russian-Serb Studies, which covers a broad range of topics.
“Several roadmaps have been signed with individual faculties in East Sarajevo and Banja Luka, specifying the types of scientific research activities to be conducted,” Koksharov emphasized.
Important cooperation in the study of Russian-Serb historical ties
Koksharov noted that collaboration in historical studies is particularly significant, specifying that the Ural University is engaged in research on the history of Russian-Serb relations and World War II.
“With the University of East Sarajevo, we have participated in major historical conferences, and this year we have agreed to publish joint studies and organize several renowned forums in Republika Srpska and at the Ural Federal University,” Koksharov announced.
Focus on increasing student exchanges
Koksharov stated that the Ural Federal University is focused on increasing student exchange programs with universities in Republika Srpska.
He mentioned that two students from the University of East Sarajevo have expressed interest in enrolling at the Ural University this year.
“Our cooperation goals are long-term, and one of our priorities is to introduce the best students from Republika Srpska to the Ural University,” Koksharov said.
“We will achieve this through our summer university program, which will be held in July for two weeks. Our top experts and professors will give lectures. We will cover travel costs, accommodation, meals, and the entire stay for students from your universities. During these two weeks, they will interact with other international students and our best experts, focusing particularly on applied artificial intelligence,” Koksharov explained.
He noted that the Ural Federal University currently hosts 4,600 students from 100 countries.
“We have two postgraduate students and one undergraduate student from Serbia. We are certainly committed to increasing student exchanges with universities in Republika Srpska and are engaged in concrete negotiations on this topic,” Koksharov stated.
Ties between Republika Srpska and the Russian Federation are actively developing
Koksharov said that in recent years, ties between the Russian Federation and Republika Srpska have been actively growing, largely due to the friendship between Presidents Putin and Dodik.
“We are interested in further concretizing these relations in areas of cooperation, primarily in scientific and economic development,” Koksharov concluded.
Source: RTRS
