Author: biba

As part of the Erasmus+ partner project ChemTeach, at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics of the University of Banja Luka, from August 25 to 29, 2025, a chemistry summer school was held for secondary school students from Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The summer school was also attended by representatives of the Slovak Technical University from Bratislava, which is also the coordinator of this project.

The topic of the summer school was environmental chemistry, within which the focus was placed on the chemical analysis of water. International teams of students from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovakia and the Czech Republic worked with different water samples, applying the acquired theoretical knowledge to the practical performance of various laboratory analyses.

In particular, the importance of the synergy of this year’s summer school of the ChemTeach project with the “Materials without borders” conference, organized by the Chemistry Department of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics in Banja Luka, and as part of which a competition of high school teams for the best idea in the field of innovative application of modern materials was held. In addition to the competitors, the conference was attended by representatives of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and the University of Banja Luka, as well as the consul of the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr. Patrik Turošík.

During the conference, the students and their professors visited the company Roundliner BH d.o.o., which deals with the production of plastic packaging intended for industrial use.

The last day of the summer school was dedicated to work in the laboratory, after which the teams presented their results and experiences.

Students had the opportunity to communicate with each other in English, which further developed their language and communication skills, teamwork and critical thinking.

The next activity within the ChemTeach project will be the meeting of the Project Steering Committee, which is planned for the end of the year in Pardubice, Czech Republic, where the results so far will be reviewed and a plan for the next activities will be made.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the fourth year in a row, the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Department of Chemistry, has hosted the, now traditional, international conference “Materials without borders”.

As in previous years, the basis of the conference was a competition of high school student teams for the best idea in the field of innovative applications of modern materials. It is with great pleasure that we highlight that this year’s conference is organized in synergy with the summer camp “Summer School for Students in B&H Focused on Environmental Chemistry”, held as part of the “ChemTeach” project, under the auspices of the ERASMUS+ programme. In addition to our study program, universities from the Czech Republic and Slovakia are also participating in this project.

The competitive part of the event was opened by the team “Assasino Plasticino” from the Gymnasium in Banja Luka, who did a detailed research on the trends in the production of biodegradable plastic, its properties, but also the potential dangers that its degradation products bring to all ecosystems. The fight to reduce pollution in the environment was also in focus of the team “Ozren” from the Gymnasium in Doboj. This team has introduced us to an innovative method for fixating CO₂ from the air in peridotites, a type of igneous rock found in large quantities on Ozren Mountain.

Students from School of Technology in Banja Luka in their presentation highlighted the potential that secondary products from the mining processes have in the development of the circular economy, while the team from Banja Luka’s School of Medicine presented the possibilities of applying domestic raw materials in medicine and the pharmaceutical industry.

Finally, the winner of this year’s edition of Materials Without Borders was the second representative of Banja Luka Gymnasium, the team “ELEMICA”, with the topic named Electrical Mica for Europe. Their innovative idea is based on the use of mica, a silicate mineral that is present in BiH in significant quantities, for the production of biocompatible sensors.

In addition to five teams from Bosnia and Herzegovina, students from chemical high schools in Pardubice (Czech Republic) and Bratislava (Slovakia) also participated in the competition. Two teams from the Czech Republic presented their research on the topic of carbon materials and finding alternative resources for the extraction of pharmacologically active compounds, while representatives from Slovakia presented us some of the contemporary trends in the application of biodegradable medical materials.

Support for the conference was provided by the iMERMAID project, through the H₂O PEOPLE organization from Netherlands. Their spokesperson, Naomi Timmer, promoted the importance of water conservation through an interactive workshop, using the Kahoot! platform.

On the second day of the conference, also supported through the iMERMAID project and its cascade subproject BRIDGEWAT, the students and their professors visited the company Roundliner BH d.o.o., which is engaged in the production of plastic packaging for industrial use. During this visit, the students had the opportunity to get acquainted with modern methods of processing and application of polymer materials. This factory uses 100% recycled polyethylene as a raw material and is a good example of the fight against plastic pollution. Students learned more about the growing threats of water pollution from micro- and nanoplastics. Prijedor was a good location for this education, given the beauty of the River Sana and the importance of its preservation.

We are very pleased to have gathered exceptional young people who are already showing great interest in the materials chemistry, but also in current challenges in the field of ecology and environmental protection. It is our job to bring them closer to the natural sciences through events like this.

Finally, we would like to thank the Ministry of Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education, which, for the fourth year in a row, supports the realization of our conference.

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR AT MBG 2026.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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We invite schools from across Bosnia and Herzegovina, the region, and around the world to apply for this year’s event “Materials Without Borders 2025”. The application deadline is August 5, 2025.

For the fourth year in a row, the Chemistry Department at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (PMF) is organizing the conference “Materials Without Borders.” As in previous years, the main sponsor is the Ministry for Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education, while the event is additionally supported by the Erasmus+ and Horizon programs.

This conference was initiated by young researchers from PMF within the framework of the international project RM@Schools, which has been implemented at our Faculty over the past five years.

All previous events have truly been “without borders,” as we have hosted students from multiple countries including Italy, Germany, and Hungary, as well as schools from across Bosnia and Herzegovina. For a limited number of registrations, we are able to offer financial support for travel and accommodation costs. Meals, educational materials, and transport for field education activities will be provided throughout the entire conference for all participants.

Students aged 13–19 are eligible to apply with presentations related to STEAM fields, primarily chemistry, physics, materials science, or interdisciplinary topics that include computer science. Presentation abstracts, along with the names of team members and their teacher/mentor, should be sent to the conference coordinator at: mwb@pmf.unibl.org. The text should be no longer than one A4 page.

All additional explanations, mentorship, and guidance for preparations will be provided by individual mentors from the Chemistry Study Program.

Each student team will have 12–15 minutes for their presentations, and posters from all teams will be exhibited in the Faculty hall (poster printing will be arranged by the organizers).

Conference programme

Day One – August 25, 2025: ARRIVAL

Estimated group arrival time: 14:00–17:00

Guest reception (guides to accommodation provided if needed). Accommodation will be arranged at the Nikola Tesla Student Center and Hostel Evropa, depending on the number of participants and the registration order.

18:00–21:00 Welcome Dinner

Day Two – August 26, 2025: CONFERENCE

07:00–08:00 Breakfast at accommodation

09:00 Gathering and registration, Poster check and preparation, networking and participant meet-and-greet. Coffee and refreshments provided (Location: Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Mladena Stojanovića Street 2, 78000 Banja Luka, Ground Floor, Amphitheater)

09:30 Media statements (coordinators, teachers, team leaders)

10:00–10:05 Opening speech (Organizers – PMF, Chemistry Study Program)

10:05–10:15 Welcome speech (Ministry of Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education)

10:15–10:30 Short retrospective of previous conferences and future plans

10:30–11:30 Student presentations

11:30–12:00 PHOTO SESSION and coffee break with poster exhibition

12:00–14:00 Student presentations continue

14:00–14:30 Discussion (jury deliberation and evaluation of presentations)

14:30 Plaque awards ceremony

15:00 Lunch at the venue and networking

16:00 onward Free time and rest at accommodation

Day Three – August 29, 2025: INDUSTRY VISIT

07:00–08:00 Breakfast at accommodation

08:45–09:00 Gathering in the Faculty parking lot

09:00–10:00 Travel to the industrial site

10:00–13:00

Welcome and discussion with engineers

Guided tour of the quality control laboratories

13:30–15:00 Lunch and networking at a local restaurant

15:00–16:00 Return to Banja Lukaand farewell to teams

FREE TIME

Read more about past years’ events in our previous posts:

2022 https://hemija.pmf.unibl.org/srl/konferencija-materijali-bez-granica-na-studijskom-programu-hemija/

2023 https://hemija.pmf.unibl.org/srl/zavrsen-medunarodni-edukativni-kamp-materijali-bez-granica/

2024 https://hemija.pmf.unibl.org/srl/konferencija-materijali-bez-granica-donijela-nove-pobjednike/

WELCOME!

The Chemistry department was very pleased to see off the guests from its 4th international conference NanoPol. Colleagues from Serbia, Estonia, Slovenia, Mexico, with co-authors from Italy, the United States of America, Montenegro, Romania, Poland, Republika Srpska and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, shared their professional and scientific knowledge in the field of nanomaterials and polymers as two leading classes of materials in modern technologies.

There was also discussions about the safety of nanoparticles, and above all about the use of nanomaterials, polymers, and their composites in the field of environmental protection. The state of the European Union regulations in the field of application of nanomaterials and polymers in the pharmaceutical industry was also presented. Oral presentations were given by 9 authors, and poster presentations were given in 12 narrowly specialized topics mainly based on the final theses of second and third cycle students from different universities.

Among the guests from the domestic industry, it is important to highlight the presence of representatives of the company “Solana” a.d. Tuzla, “Vodovod” a.d. Banja Luka, “BP Institute” d.o.o. Banja Luka, “Cablex-BH” d.o.o. Banja Luka and “Mann+Hummel” d.o.o. Tešanj, from the institutions “Institute for Protection and Ecology of the Republic of Srpska” and from the non-governmental sector “LIR-evolucija” Banja Luka, who, through their projects, were also co-sponsors of part of the conference program. The study visit to the domestic industry “Mann+Hummel”, which produces nanoporous filters from cellulose polymers, was supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology Development and Higher Education of the Republic of Srpska (project number 19.031/966-81/24).

Naslovna

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From March 31 to April 4, 2025, Professor Dr. Ivan Špánik visited the Chemistry Department at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics in Banja Luka, continuing the long-standing cooperation between the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava and the University of Banja Luka. This visit is part of the Erasmus+ international exchange program, which enables the exchange of knowledge and experiences between students and staff from partner universities.

During his stay, Professor Dr. Ivan Špánik delivered lectures for the third-cycle students of the Chemistry Deparment, focusing on contemporary aspects of analytical chemistry. The lectures covered both theoretical, and practical elements in the field of quality control in analytical laboratories, including sophisticated methods for identifying and minimizing errors in the analytical process. Special emphasis was placed on the implementation of international standards, such as ISO 17025, in modern laboratory practice, with the aim of ensuring high accuracy, precision, and valid results.

In addition to Professor Špánik, PhD student Ismaila Kuburah from Nigeria, who is currently conducting research at the Slovak University of Technology as part of her PhD studies, was also present during the visit to the Chemistry Department. Ismaila shared her experiences about the exchange and her work at the Slovak University of Technology.

After the lectures, attendees had the opportunity to discuss the topics covered in the lectures with Professor Špánik and PhD student Kuburah, as well as explore opportunities for further professional development in the field of analytical chemistry.

As part of the Erasmus+ exchange program, three students from the Chemistry Study Program at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics in Banja Luka spent one semester at the University of Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Utilizing the student exchange opportunity offered by the University of Banja Luka, Dajana Bulatović, Jelena Kuzmanović, and Marijana Radišić had the chance to learn about the operations of other European universities, expand their knowledge in chemistry, and discover different cultures and customs.

Here’s what they said about their experience:

“Going on an exchange is an invaluable experience that has allowed me to step out of my comfort zone, learn, and grow. Many new lessons, travels, learning a new language, and meeting people from various parts of the world have broadened my horizons and shaped my view of the world. This program provided me the opportunity to work in very well-equipped laboratories and adopt new learning methods.” (Jelena Kuzmanović)

“My stay in Spain (Santiago de Compostela) as an Erasmus+ program student was an incredible experience. I had the opportunity to meet people from different cultures, enhance my academic and language skills, and explore the beautiful landscapes of Galicia. Studying in an international environment has expanded my horizons and brought many unforgettable moments.” (Dajana Bulatović)

Within the project ” Improvement the quality of chemistry teaching in VET in Bosnia and Herzegovina”, ChemTeach, a meeting was held at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics of the University of Banja Luka on February 11-12, 2025. The meeting was officially opened by Prof. Dr. Milica Balaban, Head of the Chemistry Department at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics of the University of Banja Luka, and Prof. Dr. Ivan Španik, Project Coordinator from the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava. After the opening, all the activities achieved in the first year of the project were presented. The meeting was attended by representatives from the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, representatives from five high schools participating in the project, and representatives from the University of Banja Luka.

One of the upcoming activities within the project, planned for June 2025, is the organization of an educational course for chemistry teachers at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics of the University of Banja Luka. The goal of this course is to improve teaching methods and the application of innovative approaches in education.

The Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics will also host the ChemTeach Summer School, which will focus on environmental chemistry and will be held in August 2025. Participants in this summer school will be high school students from Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and three high schools from Banja Luka, providing them with an opportunity to gain new knowledge and experience through practical work.

The ChemTeach project is part of the Erasmus+ program, and its main goal is to improve teaching methods in the field of chemistry through international collaboration, experience exchange, and the application of modern educational approaches. One of the most significant outcomes of the project will be the publication of a manual presenting green experiments guide, as well as a multimedia guide that will enable students to engage in interactive and modern learning of the subject.

 

 

 

 

 

Representatives of the Department of Chemistry at the Faculty of Science and Mathematics in Banja Luka, consisting of prof. dr. Dijana Jelić, assistant professor Dr. Dino Hasanagić, and senior assistant Dejana Savić, ma, visited the Gymnasium in Mrkonjić City on February 13, 2025. The visit was related to the realization of the project “I Am a Citizen” from the subject Democracy and Human Rights, in which the students of the IV2 class chose the topic “Equipping the School Laboratory.”

During the visit, the Chemistry Study Program was presented to the students and their professors, along with the ChemTeach project, which is part of the Erasmus+ program. The main goal of the project is to improve teaching methods in the field of chemistry through international cooperation, exchange of experiences, and the application of modern educational approaches. After the presentation, an experiment was conducted, followed by a Q&A session where the professors of the Chemistry Study Program answered numerous interesting questions from the students. At the end of the visit, the students were presented with a package containing basic laboratory equipment, which will aid them in the successful implementation of the project.

The visit was successful and mutually satisfying, as the expressed interest demonstrated that, through dedication and quality work with young people, their desire for knowledge, research, and development can be deepened.

On this occasion, we would like to thank the professors and students of JU Gymnasium Mrkonjić City for their invitation and warm hospitality.

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At the end of this semester, students of the Chemistry Department visited the ‘Alumina’ company in Zvornik. The Alumina company actively supports our study program and motivates young people, students, and high school students for career development in the field of chemistry and technical sciences.

This time, besides other technologies, a particular focus in education was the topic of finely precipitated hydrate, which is a chemical product from bauxite and is important even for electrical engineering. At Alumina, it is produced to the highest quality standards and serves as a filler in electrical cables that prevent fire hazards (retardant).

Alumina and the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics in Banja Luka have almost a decade of successful cooperation, based on joint work on projects and the exchange of knowledge. The Alumina company is development-oriented and constantly works on improving its processes, creating opportunities for advancement in the field of technical sciences. Visits like this are an important step in motivating young generations to actively engage in technical sciences and recognize the importance of innovations and industry for society.

Through such activities, we want to inspire young people to think about innovations and future challenges in the chemical industry and to recognize the potential of this field for their careers. Students were surprised by the size of this industrial giant, which is the largest exporter from our country and an example of innovative work in chemistry at the European level. From this expert excursion, students understood the importance of the closed-loop chain of raw materials and top chemical technologies, as all the bauxite processed by Alumina comes from 5 domestic mines, and Alumina is currently the only factory in Europe that produces “soft aluminum” (fine chemical, not just metallurgical products).