Niš Students Protest Faculty Split, Ministry's Decision on Serbian Studies Departments

A wave of student discontent has swept through Niš as a protest, titled "Don't Break Our Acacias," erupted against the Ministry of Education's controversial decision. The core of the students' grievance lies in the ministry's move to revoke operating permits for crucial departments within the Faculty of Philosophy – Serbian studies, history, and Russian language and literature. This action has been met with strong opposition, viewed not merely as an administrative reshuffling but as a deliberate attempt to dismantle established academic programs.

The protest commenced with a poignant 17-minute silence at King Milan Square, a symbolic act honoring victims of past tragedies, including the recent overpass collapse in Novi Sad and a student's death in Belgrade. This solemn opening underscored the gravity with which students view the current situation, framing it as a matter of profound concern for academic integrity and student welfare. The students are particularly vocal in their assertion that the newly established Faculty of Serbian Studies is not an independent entity but rather a divisive maneuver aimed at fragmenting the historic Faculty of Philosophy.

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Students have also sent a message that the establishment of the Faculty of Serbian Studies is not an administrative decision, but a splitting of the Faculty of Philosophy in Niš.

From the perspective of students and faculty at the University of Niš, this situation is deeply troubling. Many students have expressed a clear refusal to transfer their academic records to the new faculty, emphasizing their loyalty to the Faculty of Philosophy. The ongoing appeals process, with a 30-day deadline, is seen as a critical window for reconsideration. The students' organized resistance, including surveys and public statements, highlights their determination to protect their academic future and the legacy of their institution. This protest is not just about departmental permits; it's a stand against what they perceive as an erosion of academic autonomy and a disregard for the established academic community.

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Students have largely expressed that they do not want to transfer to any other faculty, especially not to the Faculty of Serbian Studies.