The University of Banja Luka (UNIBL) is the leading higher education and research institution in the Republic of Srpska and the second largest university in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with around 17000 students enrolled in different studies. It was established in 1975, although prior to its establishment there were several colleges and faculties formed in this area. At the beginning , the University comprised five faculties (Electrical Engineering, Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Law and Economics) and three junior colleges.
Today, University of Banja Luka is organized into sixteen faculties, each of which comprises multiple departments. The UNIBL is also home to the Academy of Arts , the Institute of Genetic Resources and many cross-disciplinary centers. The University of Banja Luka has been involved in many projects financed by local or international institutions. Thus far, the University was engaged in implementation of numerous international (Framework Program 6 and 7, Horizon 2020 projects, TEMPUS/ERASMUS+ program) and national projects.
Team members
Nina Sajic
Nina Sajic is an assistant professor in international relations and Department chair of Political Science at the School of Political Science, the University of Banja Luka. She holds a PHD in international relations from the University of Kent, Canterbury (UK) and an MA in Strategic negotiations and Diplomacy from the University of Paris XI (Université Paris-Saclay). She served as an ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to France, UNESCO, Algeria, Monaco, Andorra and Romania. She was a foreign policy advisor in the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. She is a Research Fellow within the Conflict Analysis Research Centre and within the Centre for Federal Studies at the School of Politics and International Relations, University of Kent. Her research interests include federalism, multilevel governance, identity politics, conflict analysis, nationalism, international relations, diplomacy etc.
Aleksandar Vranjes
Aleksandar Vranjes (DOB 1981) is an assistant professor in political communication at the School of Political Science, the University of Banja Luka. He holds a PHD and MPhil in political communication from the University of Belgrade, Serbia. He was a Vice-dean for Education and Vice-dean for Research of the School of Political Science (UNIBL). He served as an ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to Croatia and was an advisor to the Republika Srpska’s president. His research interests include political communication, politics and media and public opinion. He currently serves as an ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to Serbia.
Zeljko Budimir
Zeljko Budimir is an assistant professor in international relations and international security. He holds a PHD and MA in international relations and politics from the University of Belgrade, Serbia, and LLB from the University of Banja Luka. Before joining the Academia he worked as a head of the legal department at one of the largest telecom companies. He was a Chair of Political Science Department at the School of Political Science (UNIBL). He was an international relations advisor in the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. His research interests include international relations, international security, geopolitics and strategic studies. He currently serves as a minister of higher education at the Rebublika Srpska’s Government.