The day before the expiration of the term of office of the Faculty of Technical Sciences of the University of Pristina with temporary headquarters in Kosovska Mitrovica (UPKM) set up the University of Pristina (according to the Kosovo system) to move out or sign a contract with him, a meeting was held in front of Prince Lazar in the center of North Mitrovica.
Students and professors of UPKM invited to the meeting because the uncertain fate of the University who was put in a "hopeless" situation.
There were several dozen students and professors, as well as representatives of the opposition and the civil sector. Some citizens were also there. The rest sunbathed and drank afternoon coffee in crowded cafes and pastry shops on the Mitrovica promenade.
There were almost as many journalists at the event as there were demonstrators.
Photo: Milica Srejić/VremeResidents of Mitrovica drink coffee during a meeting about the fate of the University (UPKM)
Dragoljub Dražević from Mitrovica told the media after the meeting: "188 years ago Dis wrote: 'Our generation lives in shame. Neither protests nor protests are heard. Especially our public opinion lives in shame, and unfortunately the generations that suck like spiders'".
He added that citizens should think for themselves because all kinds of things are imposed on that head.
"In order to be smarter, we have to think for ourselves, but it's somehow slower for us. Why? Time will tell. I guess we've learned to be zombies, unfortunately. But even this few young people is hope. It's hope for us old people that there are still some healthy thinking people, and there are," Dražević emphasized.
""By what system should we breathe?"
The students were holding banners with the inscriptions: "Why is Belgrade silent?", "Serbs in Kosovo have been foreigners for Pristina for a long time, they have been for Belgrade for a long time", "Where will the next temporary headquarters be?", and "What system should we breathe under?" .
Luka Pečenković, a student at the Faculty of Philosophy, addressed the crowd and pointed out that they were expected to remain silent, and that they were ordered not to speak.
"Dear colleagues, enough is enough! We have to understand the situation in which we are studying. We must not continue to pretend that everything is fine. We have to hear each other, to speak. What exactly are we waiting for? Realize that those you fear have left you," emphasized Pečenković.
He added that the founders of the University turned their backs on them.
"For months, we pointed out the situation on the ground, appealed and demanded to know what is happening, under which system we will live, study and whether we will study and stay at all," he said.
He stated that the application of of the Law on Foreigners at KiM introduces the faculty integration process. "Do you want to be strangers in your own town," asked Pečenkovic.
Finally, he called on professors to protect students.
"Give us licenses to live"
According to the data of the Ministry of Education, which was recently published by Dragiša Mijačić, director of the Institute for Territorial Economic Development (InTER) and coordinator of the Working Group of the National Convention on the EU for Chapter 35, there are 4908 students at UPKM, while there are 1193 professors and associates.
UPKM Faculty of Philosophy professor Dr. Mitra Reljić told the authorities in Pristina to finally issue them a permit to live, but that this does not mean only the right to breathe, but also the right to study, live and preserve their own identity.
"I would tell the institutions of the Republic of Serbia to remember their enslaved and disenfranchised flock and to stand behind the University they founded," Prof. concluded. Reljic.
This meeting ended shortly after the student's address, and in a few days the clock is ticking for the implementation of the Law on Foreigners - March 15.
