Photo: Vreme/NS
Almost six months after the fall of the canopy and the beginning of blockades of faculties and school institutions, due to numerous protests and pressures, the appeal of the National Body for Accreditation and Quality Assurance in Higher Education (NAT) arrived for higher education institutions to take urgent measures, in order to ensure the smooth and continuous development of the teaching process
Faculties are blocked, the people are on the streets, studying and schooling have pressed the 'stop' button, so that the struggle started on November 1st would have a positive outcome.
Six months later, NAT reminds that teaching is an essential and mandatory element of study programs, including defined forms of teaching such as lectures, exercises and their organization.
The statement stated that each higher education institution has the obligation to organize and conduct classes during the school year, which begins on October 1 and lasts 12 months.
As stated in the announcement, NAT will take all measures within its competence to ensure that higher education institutions comply with all prescribed obligations, in the interest of students, society and in accordance with the highest standards of the European area of higher education.
And "deviations from laws and regulations will not be tolerated."
Possible revocation of accreditation?
"Failure to comply with these obligations can lead to serious consequences for the status of a higher education institution, including the initiation of an extraordinary external quality control procedure, in accordance with Article 22 of the Law on Higher Education, which in the extreme case can result in the revocation of the institution's accreditation and/or study programs," reads the NAT statement.
Although this body appealed for an end to the current situation and a return to the faculties with the aim of resuming classes, the statement said that the body recognizes the right of students to express dissatisfaction and participate in democratic processes.
"However, we invite all actors to find ways to express their views that will not disrupt the basic functions of the education system and the rights of other students to education," the statement reads.
As it is added, "NAT, as the only authorized body for accreditation and quality assurance in higher education in the Republic of Serbia, has a clearly prescribed and unequivocal obligation to, in accordance with the law, accredit higher education institutions and study programs, but also to supervise, monitor and improve the quality of teaching and the overall educational process during the entire accreditation period".
It was emphasized that the work of this body is monitored not only by competent institutions in the country, but also by relevant international associations of which NAT is an associate or semi-legal member.
"Membership in the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA), as well as registration in the European Quality Assurance Register (EQAR), implies the obligation to consistently apply internationally recognized standards and guidelines for quality assurance in higher education (ESG standards)," the announcement states.
Đukanović: "The state should stop funding universities as a matter of urgency"
Deputy of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party, Vladimir Đukanović, published his position on the work of higher education institutions on the X social network.
"The state should stop funding universities as a matter of urgency. Equal honors for everyone. If funds are given, they should be distributed equally between state and private," wrote Đukanović.
The state should urgently stop funding universities. Equal respect for everyone. If funding is given, it should be distributed equally between state and private.
- Vladimir Djukanovic @ (@adv_djukanovic) April 24, 2025
Let us remind you that the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, announced earlier passing a new law, according to which the state will distribute money for budget funding of students, in order to equalize state and private faculties.
"Private faculties have proven to be much more stable, much more serious than faculties and universities that want to provide knowledge and education to people. In the state, as well as in the social, everyone thinks that they have the right to use all the rights, but they do not have any obligations, they treat the state as the last hole in the pipe", said Vučić.
An inter-ethnic incident on the Mitrovica promenade overshadowed the celebration of the end of high school education of Mitrovica high school students. The situation further escalated when the Kosovo policeman grabbed the Mitrovica graduate by the neck. What reactions have been received so far? What does this incident tell us about the reality of Kosovo Serbs?
It's time to stand with the students, said Zaječar professor Darko Micić at the gathering "Freedom moves from the east" that will last until midnight in Zaječar
Speaking on Pink TV, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said that in the case of attempts to endanger vital systems, the blockers will be brought to justice "to the full extent of their rights and will be held accountable for every crime they have committed."
The fact that the chief of the Novi Sad police was dismissed without an official explanation and reassigned to an unimportant position shows how much improvisation was done there, say "Vremena" sources. Will the new mayor even have a chance to rein in the crime led by the SNS team in Novi Sad?
The protest in Zaječar is planned to last until eight minutes after midnight
As a special-purpose parastatal that uses metal bars to create "order and peace", Vučić is legalizing the hoodies. It is - approximately - something similar to Mussolini's "combat alliances" from 1919-1922.
Lucky that Serbia has the "Informer research team"! Dragan J. Vučićević discovered the infernal plan of "criminals" and "blockaders" at the last minute and thus saved the country again. That he is lying is less important
Keeping sociology professor Marija Vasić in prison on charges of terrorism is an anti-civilization crime. Or grotesque, whatever you want. Why don't judges, prosecutors, policemen, security guards rebel against it
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