The construction industry is relying largely on mineral raw materials and therefore directly related to the fields of geology and mining engineering. At the same time, modern construction materials require the application of various additives and fillers, the production and use of which demands a solid knowledge of chemistry. 

Our project partners, University of Banja Luka (UNIBL), have established a memorandum of understanding with the BP Institute, a leading institution in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the field of quality control of construction materials. This cooperation is of particular importance given that the topic of construction materials is closely integrated into the curricula of several study programmes at this University. 

The BP Institute has previously supported the implementation of research within master’s and bachelor’s theses at UNIBL, particularly on topics related to geopolymers. As a continuation of this cooperation, the Director of the BP Institute, MSc in Chemical Technology Dragana Stević, delivered a workshop to support our RM-SLO-PLUS Hub project. She presented several modern, software-based techniques for data processing in the field of materials analysis. The focus of the workshop was on the ImageJ software, which provides highly reliable data on particle size distribution in micro- and nanomaterials, both in construction engineering and in other technological fields. The workshop was attended by master students and a few graduated students of UNIBL, already employed in the material industry. 

RM SLO project, recognises the need for expanding the knowledge of young people as an important path for strengthening industrial knowledge base for future European material chain sustainability. The best way for this is exactly through the collaboration with established material industry experts.