One year after the "University at the Crossroads" protest, employees in higher education gathered tonight, June 8, in Belgrade in front of the Government of Serbia, to once again raise their voices in defense of the university and to say that they will not give up the fight to defend autonomy.
The protest started at 7:00 p.m., and the intersection between Nemanjina and Kneza Miloš Street is planned to be blocked for four hours.
On the building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the banner "because students win" was placed, and on the Government building the banner "Students win".
There are also bikers at the intersection, choirs are printing t-shirts with the inscription "Students are winning" at the stands.
Members of the academic community of Serbia addressed the gathering.
"It was not a whim of the academic community, but a cry to stop the wanton collapse of higher education and for those responsible to first understand the problem, and then to find a solution together. Instead of improvement, we are forced to apply the unadapted, untested and unconstitutional SPIRI platform. We receive salaries in accordance with regulations that do not value our knowledge, education, needs, or dignity - the 5:35 regulation that is still in force. Instead of the opportunity to carry out the teaching process freely, at every step our autonomy is being stifled", Professor Vesna Popović, vice-rector of the University of Arts in Belgrade, told the crowd.
"We can't help but wonder which government in the world would not be proud to have the only art university in the wider region, the University of Belgrade, which is ranked in the first 1,8% of the best in the world, and the universities in Novi Sad, Niš and Kragujevac are among the 9% most successful in the world," pointed out Professor Vesna Popović.
The Manifesto of the academic community was also read at the gathering.
"We, members of the academic community, professors, researchers and collaborators, are determined to defend honor, human dignity and freedom. We stand firm in protecting the right to critical thought, knowledge, science, art and culture. We stand up in defense of centuries-old tradition, truth and justice, in the name of the rule of law and fundamental human values. The university is a place where society reflects on itself, where truth is sought and not built on lies. Where progress is measured by grades, not blackmail. Where responsibility is valued, not submission. Where youth is loved, not stifled. Where the future is built, not destroyed," reads the Manifesto, which was read by actor Radomir Vujović.
It was announced that the initiative for the evaluation of the constitutionality and legality of the regulations introducing higher education institutions into the SPIRI treasury system will be submitted from this meeting.
Source: FoNet/N1
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