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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).

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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).

 

 

 

 

 

The Senate of the University of Banja Luka, at its 110th session, held on October 24, 2024, passed the Decision on the election of Prof. Dr. Biljane Davidović-Plavšić to the title of Full Professor.

The field of activity and research of Prof. Dr. Biljane Davidović-Plavšić is aimed at understanding the importance of free radicals in achieving and maintaining the redox homeostasis of the organism, as well as the role that free radicals, formed under the influence of abiotic stress and toxic effects caused by xenobiotics (medicines, pesticides, heavy metals), have in animals and plants. In addition, he deals with the research of possible mechanisms of oxidative damage to cells and the influence of free radicals on the action of cellular antioxidants, as well as the importance of using natural antioxidants (eg. plant extracts containing phenolic compounds) to protect the body when exposed to xenobiotics or in various diseases.

Dedicated and dedicated work on the mentioned research in the previous election period resulted in the publication of 8 scientific papers, seven of which were published in leading scientific journals of international importance, referenced in the citation databases of the Web of Science (WoS) and one paper in a scientific journal of international importance. referenced in the citation database Scopus. The citation rate of works according to the Google Scholar citation database is 197, and the h-index is 5.

In addition to scientific works, since the last election, in the title of associate professor, she has also published one university textbook and one monograph of national importance. She participated in the implementation of four scientific research projects.

The title of Full Professor comes as a kind of acknowledgment of past work and achieved results, but at the same time it is an obligation and responsibility towards further action and contribution to science.

The Chemistry Department congratulates Prof. Dr. Biljani Davidović-Plavšić on her advancement and well-deserved election to the title of Full Professor, having no doubt that her work will be fruitful and important for the entire academic community in the future.

As part of the bilateral project “Circular Economy: Application of Waste Raw Materials in Zeolite Synthesis” a team from the Chemical Institute in Ljubljana, led by Dr. Alenka Ristić, visited the Chemistry Study Program at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Banja Luka, from August 17th to 19th. On this occasion, young researchers, Janez Volovšek and Jan Marčec, presented the results of zeolite synthesis based on raw materials from the Republic of Srpska. These syntheses continue the research work of the team from the Republic of Srpska on the application of microsilica in the preparation of new materials.

This meeting provided an excellent opportunity for bilateral discussions and the analysis of the XRD experiments. The guests also actively participated in the “XV Conference of Chemists, Technologists, and Ecologists of the Republic of Srpska.”

The bilateral project is supported by the program of joint scientific research projects, within the scientific and technological cooperation between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Slovenia for 2024 and 2025 (contract number: 19/6-020/966-13-1/23).

Author of the text: Prof. Dr. Saša Zeljković