HRH Crown Prince Alexander II, invited by the Rector of Belgrade University Prof. Dr. Marija Bogdanovic, attended the celebration of the University Day and marking the 165th anniversary of higher education in Serbia.
The celebration was also attended by the Ambassador of Norway HE Mr. Hans Ola Urstad, the Ambassador of Canada HE Mr. Donald Mc Lennan, the cultural attaché of Bulgarian Embassy Mr. Stojan Stankulov, the media advisor of American Embassy Mr. Alan Docol, Minister of Culture Mr. Branislav Lecic, Minister of Science and Technology Mr. Dragan Domazet, Governor of the National Bank of Serbia Mr. Mladjan Dinkic and many others.
On behalf of the Rector Prof. Dr. Marija Bogdanovic, the present were addressed by Prof. Dr. Borivoj Lazic who introduced the guests with the history and the importance of Belgrade University. With the aid of donations this higher education institution was enabled to establish a ground for structural reforms and high level of academic activities.
“We shall continue to invest serious efforts in preserving academic values of our University, but also to introduce the changes that will make it up to date and efficient, and we have adequate conditions to do so”, said Prof. Dr. Borivoj Lazic.
The guests and reporters were then addressed by Prof Dr. Miodrag Jovanovic, art historian, on the occasion of 200th anniversary of the birth of Misa Anastasijevic, who was the endower of many important institutions, among others the University of Belgrade. Prof Dr. Miodrag Jankovic reminded about the words of Milan Milicevic who said:
“As long as there are the Serbs, the name of Captain Misa will shine like a diamond wherever the divine daughter of education, civilization, spreads the empire of light and happiness among men”.
Then followed a program of the University Choir conducted by Prof. Dr. Darinka Matic-Marovic.
The ceremony was finished by handing over “The Students of Generation” awards to the best students in 2001/2002 school year.