The story
Post-World War II years
The first Pedagogical School in Banja Luka was established in 1950 when it enrolled its first 38 students. The Faculty of Technical Studies was established in 1961 and the Faculty of Economics in 1969. Subsequently University of Sarajevo faculties of engineering, law and economics opened their local branches in Banja Luka. Over the period of four years each local branch in Banja Luka was transformed into an independent faculty in its own right.
1975–1992
The University of Banja Luka was established on 7 November 1975 as the second university established in the Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The 1970s were a period of expansion of higher education in the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia during which along with Banja Luka's modern day University of Montenegro, University of Kragujevac, University of Rijeka, University of Split, University of Maribor, University of Osijek, St. Clement of Ohrid University of Bitola, University of Tuzla and University of Mostar were all established.
In its early years the university was faced with lack of academic and administrative staff and their inadequate academic qualifications. University inaugurated its first five-year development plan in 1976. The plan highlighted priorities of construction of dormitories, student scholarships provisions, expansion and strengthening of the Central Youth Cooperative, construction of sports and recreation center, student clinics and development of mass cultural activities. Up to 1984 university awarded 13 Doctor of Philosophy degrees. In the same period of time university published 47 textbooks and 95 academic books.
In 1987 the University of Banja Luka was the presiding institution of the Community of Universities of Yugoslavia. In 1989/90 it presided over the Community of Universities of the Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In 1989 it became member of the Rector Conference of the Alps-Adriatic Working Group while some of its first scientific articles were indexed in international databases.
1992–1995 Bosnian War
The period of the Bosnian War created new challenges with decreasing numbers of students, decreased staff and funding. Institution's function was not stopped during the war and it continued its functions in limited capacity.
Modern Period
Contrary to the situation in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina where each of its 10 cantons have its own ministry of education and legislative power over higher education, higher education in Republika Srpska is regulated by the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Government of Republika Srpska. Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina which function as the executive branch of the government of Bosnia and Herzegovina do not have explicit competency for higher education or its own education ministry.
The full implementation of the Bologna Process at the University of Banja Luka was initiated in 2006/2007 academic year. Some faculties implemented the reform earlier.
Since April 13, 2011, the University of Banja Luka is full member of the European University Association. It is also member of European Forest Institute and participate in TEMPUS, CEEPUS and 7th Framework Programme programme.
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In the aftermath of 2014 Southeast Europe floods the University of Ljubljana donated 25,000 BAM for the most affected students and staff members at the University of Banja Luka. Czech Technical University in Prague donated technical equipment needed to respond to the consequences of floods.
Through student exchange programs university hosted students from Sapienza University of Rome, Plovdiv University, the University of Strasbourg, the University of Graz, the University of the District of Columbia, the University of Pristina in North Mitrovica and the University of Freiburg.
From Wikipedia’s article on University of Banja Luka, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.4