The modern Faculty of Chemistry, an institution of the Belgrade University, developed from “Licej” (Lyceum) (1838-1863) and “Velika škola” (Advanced School) (1863-1905). “Licej” had two classes at first: Philosophical and Legal. In 1853 a new class was formed at “Licej” – it was a scientific-technical class which, among other branches of science, started studying chemistry. The first chemistry professor was Mihailo Rašković (1827-1872). In 1853 he started teaching inorganic and organic chemistry and chemical technology and conducting practice work in the chemistry laboratory which he had set up earlier the same year. If professorship, regular tuition, a laboratory and a modest library can be regarded as the minimum which defines a department, then the year 1853 can be considered as the year when the Department of Chemistry was founded – the antecedent of the modern Faculty of Chemistry.

Like other national academies and in keeping with its responsibilities and tasks, the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts (SASA) represents an institution that exhibits a kind of traditionalism and almost desirable conservativeness. However, only a tradition that is willing to change in accordance with the requirements of the times and the needs of the environment wherein it originated stands a chance of continuance – this is the experience of SASA. For this reason the attitude towards SASA needs to be one of respect for its well established mechanisms, built on the experience, wisdom and shortcomings of its precursors. However, SASA also requires an attitude that will enable it to observe and recognize crucial moments in time and disruptions in or accelerations of historical and social events and scientific and artistic trends, and to participate, according to its abilities, in changing the circumstances and practices that may slow down or downplay its activities and roles in this country at certain times.