ALL RECTORAL COLLEGIUMS CONFIRMED: Fourth student demand met, here’s when the law amendment is expected to be officially adopted!

Universities in Serbia have issued a statement regarding the proposed amendments to the Law on Higher Education, confirming their agreement on its adoption, thereby fully meeting the fourth demand of the students. According to National Assembly President Ana Brnabić, this amendment will be on the Assembly’s agenda on March 4.

University of Belgrade

“Representatives of the University of Belgrade participated in meetings with representatives of relevant ministries and other state universities in Serbia on February 18, 19, and 20. Following the final meeting on February 20, 2025, the University of Belgrade received the final, harmonized version of the Draft Amendments to the Law on Higher Education, which will proceed to the next stage of adoption. The Extended Rectoral Collegium states that the received draft amendments are fundamentally in line with the principles outlined in the relevant Conclusion and our Draft Amendments.

With this solution, which not only fulfills the students’ demands in the blockade but also addresses longstanding demands of the University of Belgrade, an important step has been made towards improving the institutional framework for the functioning and development of higher education in Serbia,” the University of Belgrade stated.

University of Arts in Belgrade

“At the meeting of the Rectorate Collegium and the Deans’ Collegium held on February 21, 2025, the conclusions of the debate on the proposed amendments to the Law on Higher Education were thoroughly analyzed.

Recognizing that key issues regarding the improvement of higher education in the Republic of Serbia, especially in financial aspects, have long been under consideration through the work of various expert groups, members of both collegiums agree with the proposed amendments.

We believe that the proposed, and hopefully soon-to-be-adopted, amendments to the Law will contribute to improving the institutional framework of higher education and create a stimulating environment for both academic and non-academic staff, especially for young artists and scientists at universities in Serbia,” the University of Arts in Belgrade announced.

University of Kragujevac

“The Collegium of the University of Kragujevac, at its meeting held on February 21, 2025, after a detailed analysis and discussion of the Draft Amendments to the Law on Higher Education, expressed unanimous support for this proposal.

The proposed Draft Amendments are the result of constructive dialogue between representatives of state universities and the Government of the Republic of Serbia.

We believe that the proposed Draft significantly contributes to improving the institutional framework for the functioning of higher education and that, in addition to fulfilling the demands of the students in the blockade, it simultaneously meets the needs of the university community, laying the foundation for the development of higher education in our country,” the University of Kragujevac stated.

University of Novi Sad

“In addition to the already confirmed approval and support from the Universities of Belgrade, Kragujevac, Niš, Kosovska Mitrovica, and Novi Pazar, I confirm the approval and support for the Amendments to the Law on Higher Education on behalf of the University of Novi Sad as well.

I hope and believe that this important document will respond positively not only to the fourth demand of the students in the blockade but also to all other students, the entire academic community of our country, and society as a whole.”

University of Niš

“After consultations with members of the Rectoral Collegium, I inform you that the University of Niš agrees with the proposed text of the Law.”

University of Novi Pazar

“The State University of Novi Pazar agrees with the proposed text of the Law on Higher Education and the proposed amendments, which align with the proposals submitted to the ministry by universities.

Additionally, summarizing what was already stated in the meeting with relevant state authorities and reflecting on the proposed text of the law, I once again confirm that the fourth student demand has been met,” the University of Novi Pazar stated.

University of Priština

“The Collegium concluded that the proposed amendments to the Law on Higher Education are in accordance with the proposals received from state universities, which reached a consensus in the meetings of the Working Group for the analysis of the current state of higher education financing and for drafting the Law on Higher Education.

The Collegium members believe that the proposed amendments provide a legal basis for securing stable funding for higher education from the budget of the Republic of Serbia, as well as for ensuring funds to cover 50% of the cost of ECTS credits paid by self-financing students, in accordance with the proposal submitted by the Extended Rectoral Collegium of the University of Belgrade.

All university rectors have agreed on this proposal, which was drafted to fulfill the fourth demand of the students who are blocking higher education institutions.”