Archives April 2024

The Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at the University of Banja Luka is participating in the implementation of the project “Program for the Development of Fisheries and Aquaculture in the Republic of Srpska.”

The main task of developing the Medium-Term Fisheries Development Program is to provide the user of fishing rights with insight into the actual state of fishing waters through physical-chemical and biological characteristics of water, as well as the state of ichthyofauna in qualitative and quantitative terms. At the same time, these investigations provide information on the possibilities of annual fish production per unit area or length of the stream, as well as the quantity of fish that can be caught during one year with fishing and fishery protection. Based on the results, measures are taken to protect the fishing zone, or certain parts within it, measures aimed at increasing the degree of production, and increasing the possibilities of the fishing zone through stocking. In the previous period, research was conducted in the basins of the Sava, Una, Bosna, and Ukrina rivers, and field research during 2024 is being conducted in the basins of the Neretva and Trebišnjica rivers. The research and program development are led by Prof. Dr. Radoslav Dekić.

Text author: Prof. Dr. Radoslav Dekić, project coordinator

You are invited to the Online Info Day of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, which will take place on April 29th from 12:00 to 14:00.

Dr. Aleksandra Petrašević, full professor and Dr. Milana Grbić, asistant professor will be available to answer your questions about study programs, preparation for entrance exams, and enrollment procedures.

Access link: https://meet.google.com/avh-cptq-zws

Join us and learn more about the opportunities for studying at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics!

If you have a desire to excel in the fields of technology and computer science and become a teacher of technical education and informatics, enroll in the Study Program for Technical Education and Informatics. As a teacher in elementary or high school, you will have the opportunity to inspire young generations, encourage critical thinking, foster creativity, and prepare them for the future.

During your studies, you will have the opportunity to work with modern tools and technologies, and collaborate with colleagues and experts from the industry. Technical education plays a crucial role in promoting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) education, and as a teacher in this modern field, you will have the opportunity to share your creativity and skills with young minds in the classroom.

Join us on a journey through the world of technology and informatics!

As part of the Days of Students 2024 event organized by the Student Parliament of the University of Banja Luka , on April 19, 2024, the traditional activity “Open Doors Day” of the University of Banja Luka member institutions was held in the University Hall of the campus.

As in previous years, the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics participated and presented the diverse content and variety of its eight study programs through interesting exhibits. Numerous interested high school seniors talked with volunteers (Dragan Gvozdenović, Ivana Džodan, Hristina Letić, David Sabljić, Tanja Džinić, Anastazija Zrnić, Marko Kalaba, Željana Pekez, Dragana Zgonjanin, and Valentina Knežević) and informed themselves about the conditions of studying at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, study programs, the way the faculty operates, and other information.

After welcoming the high school seniors to the university campus, the Vice Dean for Scientific Research of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Assist. Prof. Milana Grbić, addressed them and through a brief presentation acquainted them with the faculty, study programs, and directions they can enroll in at our faculty.

Text author: Valentina Knežević, President of the SOFNSM

On Saturday, April 20, 2024, in the amphitheater of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, the SECOND MATHEMATICAL WORKSHOP for the professional development of primary school teachers was held.

The speakers were: Prof. Dr. Duško Jojić, full professor at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics in Banja Luka, with the topic ‘A Little Geometry: Perimeter, Area, and Volume,’ and Dr. Boris Petković, assistant professor at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics in Banja Luka, with the topic ‘Elementary Problems in Algebra’.

The workshop was organized by the Mathematical Society of the City of Banja Luka in collaboration with the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Banja Luka. Primary school teachers from all parts of the Republic of Srpska had the opportunity to attend excellent lectures.

The Mathematical Society of the City of Banja Luka plans to organize a new mathematical workshop for primary school teachers in the fall and invites all primary school teachers to join.

Text author: Sara Koljanić, MA

If you’re interested in what you can study at the FNSM, what subjects are covered in the entrance exam, how to best prepare for it, when preparatory classes are held, which documents are needed for enrollment, and you’re unable to visit us in person – no problem, on April 29th, we’re organizing an Online Info Day. On that day, from 12 to 2 PM, Prof. Dr. Aleksandra Petrašević, Vice Dean for academic affairs, and Dr. Milana Grbić, Vice Dean for science and research, will answer all your questions. All you need to do is fill out the Google Form, and you’ll receive a link via email to access the Online Info Day at FNSM.

Join us at the Online Info Day at FNSM and learn about the opportunities to study: biology, geography, GIS, tourism, ecology and environmental protection, mathematics, computer science, spatial planning, technical education, physics, and chemistry at FNSM.

Registration link: https://forms.gle/qcQ44dADEE5GtEnR9

Cover photo: Mile Lekić, FNSM student

A visit to the Water Factory in Novoselia was organized for the students of the Chemistry, Biology, Ecology and Environmental Protection Study Programs on Thursday, April 18th, 2024.
Leading engineers of “Vodovod. a.d.” have provided expert guidance to our students from the water intake on the bank Vrbas River, through the water conditioning plant, the Water Quality and Ecology Department and the wastewater laboratory. All production segments from raw water treatment to drinking water distribution are explained in detail. Special emphasis is placed on the quality control importance, compliance with prescribed procedures and instrumental methods that used. By visiting the wastewater laboratory, the students gained a complete insight into the process of preparing and ensuring the quality of drinking water, the responsibility of the employees and the scope of their work.

Text author: Dr. Zvjezdana Sandić, Associate Professor

Within the Project “Sustainability of Protected Areas – SPA” financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by the United Nations Development Program in Bosnia and Herzegovina (UNDP), the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at the University of Banja Luka participates in the implementation of the project “Preparation/updation of management plans protected areas that integrate climate change adaptation measures for Sutjeska National Park, Kozara National Park, Drina National Park, Una Nature Park and Orjen Nature Park”.
The goal of the project is to offer Management Plans with Action Plans, as a proposal for a sustainable alternative to the management of selected protected areas in the Republic of Srpska, with an emphasis on reducing the effects of climate change on the rich biodiversity of our country.
Representatives of the Project Working Team of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at the University of Banja Luka, led by the dean prof. Dr. Radoslav Dekić and project coordinator Prof. Dr. Goran Trbić, in the period from April 9 to 17, 2024, presented the working version of Management Plans and Action Plans for protected areas at working meetings with representatives of managers of five selected protected areas in the territory of the Republic of Srpska. The working meetings were also attended by representatives of UNDP, representatives of local communities and other associates of the management.
The final documents are being prepared, which will be presented at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, to representatives of the competent Ministries in the Government of the Republic of Srpska, the Republic Institute for the Protection of Natural and Cultural and Historical Heritage, the Fund for Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency of the Republic of Srpska, managers, donors, partners and interested parties.

Text author: Prof. Dr. Goran Trbić, The project coordinator
Cover photo retrieved from https://www.undp.org/bs/bosnia-herzegovina/projects/spa-projekat

Chemistry teacher training aimed at improving the quality of chemistry teaching in secondary schools, within the Erasmus+ project ChemTeach (101129417-ERASMUS-EDU-2023-CB-VET), was held in the period from April 8 to 12, 2024 in Bratislava ( Slovakia) and Pardubice (Czech Republic). The courses were attended by Professor Saša Zeljković from the Faculty of Science and Mathematics and chemistry teachers from the Gymnasium, Medical, and Technological Schools in Banja Luka.
During the visit to the High School of Chemistry from Bratislava (Stredná odborná škola chemická, Bratislava), the teachers visited the laboratories and attended professional subject classes. The topics of lectures and workshops included professional education and training in EU countries, teaching and evaluation using digital tools, and extracurricular professional activities as a form of professional development. The visit was also an opportunity to talk with students participating in chemistry competitions and with students doing professional practice. The hosts paid special attention to the presentation of their promotional activities, and Erasmus+ projects were highlighted as an important part of professional education.
At the Higher Secondary School of Chemistry in the Czech city of Pardubice (Střední průmyslova škola chemická Pardubice), emphasis is placed on the application of digital tools in the teaching of chemistry and laboratory work. The focus of the presentations and discussions was on methods that can be used to promote chemistry and attract future students.

Text author: Prof. Dr. Saša Zeljković
Photos: Prof. Dr. Saša Zeljković

The team of the Chemistry Department participated in the final conference of the project “Agricultural Residues and Plastic Waste Materials as a Sustainable Source of Alternative Fuels and Valuable Chemicals” (AGRIPLAST), held from April 8 to 10 in Sombor. This project, supported and financed by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), aims at the chemical characterization and valorization of agricultural and plastic waste, following the principles of the circular economy.

At this conference, which brought together researchers from Serbia, Germany, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Slovenia, Prof. Milica Balaban held an invited lecture on “Microplastics as a carrier of polluting substances in the environment”. In addition, in part dedicated to the development of possibilities for further activities, Sanja Pržulj, senior teaching assistant, and Dejana Savić, teaching assistant, provided a detailed insight into the situation and perspectives in the Republic of Srpska regarding the issue of plastic waste and waste from the food industry with the presentation topics ” Plastic waste pollution in the countries of the Western Balkans” and “Beer trop as a raw material in pyrolysis processes”.

The presence of representatives of the Chemistry Department and engagement at the conference contributed to spreading knowledge about the importance of sustainable waste management in the region. This conference highlighted the potential for future collaboration between the Chemistry Study Program and other research institutions.

Text author: Dejana Savić, MSc