Ministry of Education to investigate University of Belgrade over Statute amendments

“In order to protect the reputation and integrity of our largest university, the Ministry of Education will conduct an extraordinary inspection to determine all relevant facts regarding the procedure used to amend the University of Belgrade Statute,” the statement read.

The Ministry added that the Educational Inspectorate will exercise its legal authority to verify the Council’s procedural compliance and to clear up any doubts regarding the legitimacy of the vote held during the body's most recent session.

The Ministry expressed deep concern over what its statement described as remarks from certain University of Belgrade professors, who allegedly insist that the “future rector should come from their (opposition) political spectrum.”

It noted that the Law on Higher Education strictly prohibits political activity within universities, noting that such involvement contradicts the constitutionally guaranteed autonomy of the institution.

According to reporting by the daily Danas, the University Council recently adopted a change to the Statute requiring a candidate for University Rector to secure a majority vote from the University Senate before they can proceed to the Council, which makes the final appointment.

Iva Draskic Vicanovic, Dean of the Faculty of Philology and a signatory of the initiative, defended the move. She said the goal was to establish a proper and fair election process, ensuring that the candidate who receives majority support from the Senate becomes the sole nominee presented to the Council.