Brčko, May 15, 2025 – The signing of a memorandum of cooperation between the Ministry of Family, Youth and Sports of the Government of the Republika Srpska and the ‘Privredna akademija’ University Brčko lays the foundation for long-term cooperation aimed at developing society as a whole, with a special focus on the role of universities in modern social processes.

The memorandum was ceremoniously signed by Prof. Dr. Željko Petrić, Rector of the ‘Privredna akademija’ University, and Selma Čabrić, Minister of Family, Youth and Sports.

Goals and content of the cooperation

The cooperation provides for a series of joint activities and projects that should contribute to the better integration of the educational system with other social systems and organizations, such as:

• Sports, youth-related, and family-oriented institutions

• Non-governmental organizations

• Relevant public institutions

Prof. Dr. Petrić explained:
“Modern education must be socially responsible and linked to the real needs of the community. Through this cooperation, we open doors for the active participation of our students and faculty in projects that contribute to the healthy development of youth, the promotion of sports, and the strengthening of family values.”

Minister Selma Čabrić emphasized the importance of cooperation with higher education institutions:
“This memorandum allows us to work together on projects that are of central importance for youth and families, and to promote awareness of sports, healthy lifestyles, and active civic participation through the academic community.”

The cooperation includes, among other things:

• Organization of lectures, professional workshops, research projects, seminars, and conferences

• Involvement of Ministry experts in the teaching and extracurricular process at the University, to enable students to apply their knowledge in concrete social contexts

With this memorandum, the “Privredna akademija” University and the Ministry of Family, Youth and Sports of the Government of the Republika Srpska lay the foundation for the mutual exchange of knowledge, experience, and resources, with the goal of the general progress of society and the improvement of the quality of life for young people in Bosnia and Herzegovina.