The University is not an opponent of the state, and without the state’s help to institutions and individuals involved in the education process, we will not survive, said today the Rector of the University of Belgrade, Vladan Đokić.
He told Radio Television of Vojvodina (RTV) that a large number of higher education institutions are facing sanctions due to unpaid financial obligations, according to the television’s website.
He stated that at a meeting with the Prime Minister, it was agreed that by the end of June, the Government would set quotas for university enrollments.
He said that the academic year must be brought to an end and that faculties must enroll a new generation of students.
Đokić noted that online classes are one of the models to overcome this situation.
He does not see himself as a political opponent of the authorities, but he would, as he said, be honored by cooperation with students if elections were called and a student list was formed.
The Rector does not believe that students have lost seven months of education, but rather that they have achieved a lot, according to the RTV website.
To the accusations of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić that the rector and deans are responsible for the largest exodus of students from Serbia, he replied that he does not have accurate data on that.
“Some students have left, I don’t have exact data, according to the data we have, a small number of students have unenrolled from faculties, some have started working,” said Đokić.
He added that the university is one of the main pillars of the state, and the authorities, he assessed, treat it as if it is against the state.
“Now we are under material pressure – there are no material costs, salaries have been reduced, there are no funds for new international projects, there is no insurance for personnel and material assets,” he stated.
According to him, the University has not faced this kind of pressure until now, and if this continues, it will not be able to function.
Asked whether the autonomy of the University has been used for political purposes, Đokić said that universities are targeted from three angles – media, political, and institutional (through various inspections).
He said that the autonomy of the University has been built over the years – financing, selection of leadership, curricula, and that, as he stated, we must persevere in these efforts to preserve it.
“The fact that I supported the students, together with the deans, was a reason for many to spread various untruths about me in certain media,” said Đokić.
When asked whether the University is the initiator of the so-called colored revolution, he replied: “The only element in which the University participates is support for students.”
He said that he had never received a list, with names and surnames, of students who want to study, and that he does not know their exact number, i.e., whether they are in the majority.
According to Đokić, there have been periods before when classes were organized in the form of consultations or online.
“I don’t think that’s ideal teaching, but, first of all, we have to enroll a new generation of students. And second, the academic year must end,” he said.
According to him, this type of teaching is not applicable to all faculties – some will have to organize live classes.
“We are trying to stay united in this situation, our support for students has not ceased, but this is a model to overcome this situation. Our defeat would be the disunity of the academic community,” said Đokić.
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Source: Danas, Photo: ATA Images