Academic Plenum Gives Full Support to Students and Their List

The Academic Plenum, which brings together professors and researchers from the University of Novi Sad and higher-education institutions across Vojvodina, has given its full backing to students and the Students’ List.

In a declaration adopted on September 2, the group said it was ready to place its knowledge, expertise and organizational capacity at the students’ disposal. Its stated aim is to preserve and rebuild Serbia’s education system while protecting university autonomy.

The plenum called on teachers, researchers, associates and other members of the academic community to take responsibility for the future of education and actively support the students’ struggle. The declaration says Serbian education has endured systematic political, financial, institutional and media pressure from the authorities for almost two years.

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Students have become, through their persistence, solidarity and responsibility, the most consistent defenders of universities, institutions and the public interest. Their struggle goes beyond higher education and represents a struggle for a society based on knowledge, responsibility and the rule of law.

It also warns that the erosion of university autonomy, the devaluation of teaching and scientific work, and pressure on students and staff are threatening the foundations of the education system and Serbia’s future. “Students have become, through their persistence, solidarity and responsibility, the most consistent defenders of universities, institutions and the public interest,” the declaration says. “Their struggle goes beyond higher education and represents a struggle for a society based on knowledge, responsibility and the rule of law.”

The Academic Plenum said the time had come to defend the integrity of education, university autonomy and the dignity of everyone who works and studies in the sector. “Serbia without a free university is left without knowledge, and a state without knowledge is left without a future,” it said.

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Serbia without a free university is left without knowledge, and a state without knowledge is left without a future.