Professor: University of Niš Faculty of Medicine is being systematically undermined

Professor Nikola Cvetanović, a member of the Network of Academic Solidarity and Engagement, describes a feeling of "occupation" within the University of Niš. He asserts that the current regime's authoritarian nature is evident in its treatment of the educational system.

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The autonomy of the University has been violated many times - from the police entering the Faculty of Medicine, elections for the Student Parliament, to the SPIRI system itself, because financial autonomy is guaranteed by law.

Cvetanović points to the Faculty of Medicine as a prime example of systemic endangerment, citing events surrounding the dean's election. He also references the administrative court's decision to suspend the Ministry of Education's changes to the Faculty of Philosophy's work permits, a move that has caused concern among professors.

The SPIRI system, intended to streamline university operations, is causing significant problems, particularly with international projects. Cvetanović explains that foreign entities must transfer funds to the ministry for approval, a process that hinders collaboration and requires upfront justification of expenses, which is now difficult. This financial control, he argues, undermines the university's guaranteed financial autonomy.

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The authoritativeness of this regime has now been completely exposed and the way it behaves towards the educational system.

Professors are also facing job losses for expressing dissent, further eroding academic freedom. Cvetanović concludes that university autonomy has been repeatedly compromised, not only by financial controls but also by police interventions and student elections, contradicting claims that the SPIRI system aligns with European standards.

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Although the ministry claims otherwise, in reality, there are problems with international projects because you have a situation where some international entity that enters into an agreement with us, for example, on a joint scientific project, must pay money to the ministry, and then the ministry controls and approves those funds.