Traditional press conference of the University of Zenica

The newly banned rector of the University of Zenica, Prof. Ph.D. Jusuf Duraković and the president of the Senate of the University of Zenica and at the same time the newly elected dean of the Faculty of Law of the University of Zenica Prof. Ph.D. Larisa Velić, in the building of the Rectorate of the University of Zenica, yesterday hosted journalists (media) during the traditional informal press conference, in which they expressed their exceptional gratitude for the expertise and promptness of the media, as well as the full support and monitoring of the work and success of the University of Zenica. Rector of Zenici University, Prof. Ph.D. Jusuf Duraković and the president of the Senate of the University of Zenica, Prof. Ph.D. Larisa Velić announced at today's New Year's reception for journalists new projects that they have started or are still planning to start, as well as the current location and plans of this higher education institution.

Rector Duraković announced that they planned to build a joint building for the Mechanical and Polytechnic Faculty of the University of Zenica, which would be built within the grounds of the "Kemal Kapetanović" Institute, which would create space for the Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Zenica to be located within the campus of the University. The construction of the Faculty of Medicine building of the University of Zenica is also planned, which should be built next to the Zenica Secondary Medical School, and in the immediate vicinity of the Zenica Cantonal Hospital, which will soon be the University Hospital and teaching base for the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Zenica.

"Our goal is to separate the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Health, that is, to develop them separately, because we need both faculties. We also want to develop our Metallurgical Institute "Kemal Kapetanović" - announced Rector Duraković.

He also pointed out that they requested additional money from the Government of Zenica-Doboj Canton for the employment of 33 assistants, which would initiate the development of scientific and research work, which, Rector Duraković underlined, is currently at a low level. The University of Zenica, Rector Duraković added, among other things, faces a shortage of students, of which there are currently a little over 4,500.

Rector Duraković and President of the Senate Velić reminded that the University of Zenica has been the subject of a campaign in recent days and that some professors against whom the Cantonal Prosecutor's Office of Zenica-Doboj Canton filed criminal charges and the Cantonal Court confirmed the indictments "are on all media pages".

"I think it is an attack on the University of Zenica. We exposed ourselves too much, we traveled the world. I would ask the media to be a little more considerate and to respect the presumption of innocence" - said Senate President Velić, who pointed out that no one disputes that the responsibility of each individual should be investigated.

She also emphasized that Rector Duraković was awarded the "Plaque of the Rector's Conference/Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina" for his contribution to science and the development of higher education in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Rector Duraković noted that since assuming the position of President of the Rectors' Conference/Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, on July 11, 2021, he held a joint session with the Rectors' Assemblies of the Republic of Croatia, and announces that he will try to hold the same sessions with the Rectors' Conferences of the Republic of Serbia and Montenegro.

Source: FENA