Memorial Service Held and Wreaths Laid at the Memorial Plaque

With a memorial service and the laying of wreaths at the Memorial Plaque, which bears the names of 89 students and employees of the University of Banja Luka who gave their lives in the Defensive-Patriotic War as members of the Student Brigade and regular soldiers of the Army of the Republic of Srpska, the official celebration of the 48th anniversary of the University of Banja Luka began on November 6, 2023.

“The courage, patriotism, and knightly morale of the fighters from the ranks of students and professors of the University of Banja Luka, during difficult times for the Serbian people, should be a model for all of us,” said the Rector of the University of Banja Luka, Prof. Dr. Radoslav Gajanin. He reminded those present that following the decision of the first President of Srpska, Dr. Radovan Karadžić, the commander of the First Krajina Corps, Lieutenant General Momir Talić, issued the order to form the Student Light Infantry Brigade on November 4, 1993.

Rector Gajanin emphasized that despite the difficult conditions, 779 members had joined the brigade by 3:00 PM on its first day. He also highlighted the book “The Student Brigade of the Army of the Republic of Srpska (1994–1995),” published by the University and the Republic Center for Research on War, War Crimes, and Searching for Missing Persons, as a vital effort to preserve the truth within the University’s culture of memory.

The Minister of Labor and Veterans’ Affairs, Danijel Egić, stated that the patriotism of these students—many of whom had no prior knowledge of warfare but answered the call to defend their homeland—will always be remembered with pride and respect.

The Minister for Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education, Asst. Prof. Dr. Željko Budimir, declared that the Republic of Srpska must never forget those who left their desks for the battlefield. He noted that the state has a lasting responsibility toward them, especially when discussing the country’s sovereignty and property, as these were secured by the lives of its best sons.

Radan Ostojić, President of the Veterans’ Organization of the Republic of Srpska, added that the members of the Student Brigade displayed a high level of bravery, and that it is a collective duty to pass this culture of memory onto younger generations to preserve the Republic they died for.

In addition to the University leadership, the memorial was attended by deans of member faculties, faculty members, students, family representatives, and government ministers, all of whom paid their respects to the fallen.