On May 10, 2021, the Student’s organization of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics organized the promotion of the Scientific-Professional Student Conference “Students Encountering Science – StES”, which is traditionally organized by the Student Parliament of the University of Banja Luka and the University of Banja Luka.
The aim of the promotion was to introduce and involve students in this year’s StES, which will be held for the 14th time at the end of November, and to encourage students to understand the role of this conference, the importance of writing a scientific paper, to get acquainted with the world of science and to find out what the benefits of participation are for their future careers.
Bojan Garić, coordinator of the Section of Natural Sciences at StES, informed the interested students about the goals of the conference and the ways in which they can get involved in its work. His presentation included details on how students can write a scientific paper, how to apply, what the path to the presentation of papers looks like and what they can expect as participants in the conference. Students were supported by employed professors and assistants of our faculty, who additionally motivated students and pointed out why it is important for students to get involved in scientific work at the faculty as soon as possible, which areas are currently the most current in natural and mathematical sciences and what needs to be paid attention to in the whole process, from finding a suitable mentor to presenting the work itself.
Last year’s winner of the Natural Sciences Section, Dejan Puhalo, a graduate spatial planner, addressed the present students, sharing his experience and emphasizing how the knowledge and reference he gained helped him get a job shortly after graduation.
Dragica Delić, an assistant at the Department of Geography, addressed the students as a former StES participant and explained all the benefits that students have by writing a scientific paper and participating in the conference. She emphasized that StES is ideal for older students and graduates, while younger students can get involved as volunteers and help in the organization.
Prof. Milica Balaban, Head of the Department of Chemistry, as a long-term reviewer and member of the evaluation committee, explained to the students the process of reviewing and evaluating papers, and emphasized what students should take into account during the defense of the paper.
Biljana Radusin Sopić, assistant at the Departments of Biology and Ecology and Environmental Protection, explained how students can achieve high results in their work and which areas are current in the fields of biology and ecology.
Dr. Marko Đukanović, senior assistant at the Department of Mathematics and Informatics, explained why it is important for students to enter the world of science on time and which areas of mathematics and informatics are currently the most current.
Marko Ivanišević, MA, senior assistant at the Department of Spatial Planning, stated which areas are current in the field of spatial planning and emphasized the interdisciplinary approach and pointed out the possibility of cooperation and joint work of several study programs of our faculty.
After short presentations, representatives of the Student Organization answered the questions of the present students, and teachers and assistants of our faculty once again invited students to join the conference, where they, as their mentors, depending on the nature of work, will help with the drafting experimental or practical part, as well as writing a paper.