Selaković targets the collective of the Faculty of Philosophy in Niš: "Minister - outside his portfolio, participates in a procedure where legality is the biggest problem"

The ongoing dispute between the Faculty of Philosophy in Niš and the Serbian government over the establishment of a new Faculty of Serbian Studies has escalated, with the Faculty of Philosophy filing a second appeal to the Administrative Court. This legal challenge aims to overturn the government's decision to absorb three of its departments, along with its professors and students, into the newly formed institution. The Faculty of Philosophy argues that the government's actions are legally questionable and detrimental to its academic integrity.

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It is pathetic and sad that you live in a city where there is a faculty, to whose faculty day the dean of the Albanian Faculty of Philosophy from Pristina is invited.

Adding a contentious layer to this academic conflict is the public involvement of Minister of Culture Nikola Selaković. His statements in the Serbian Parliament have been sharply critical of the Faculty of Philosophy, targeting its collective and specific members. Selaković accused the faculty of hosting controversial figures, citing an invitation to the dean of the Albanian Faculty of Philosophy from Pristina on the Faculty's day, and questioned the patriotism of its members. He also alleged that a professor of history from the Faculty published a politically charged post, linking it to nationalist songs.

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The problem for the Minister of Culture is that he actively participated in the establishment of the Faculty of Serbian Studies.

From the perspective of the Faculty of Philosophy in Niš, as articulated by Vice-Dean Mihajlo Antović, Selaković's intervention is inappropriate and goes beyond his ministerial portfolio. They view his participation in the establishment of the Faculty of Serbian Studies as problematic, particularly given the alleged legal irregularities surrounding the process. The Faculty contends that Selaković's public statements are a form of discreditation, using what they describe as "photoshopped, falsified documents" and divisive rhetoric to undermine their position.

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You cannot call me out on a national basis because you have falsely imputed the song of a Croatian singer Thompson to me. When you don't have arguments to counter, you resort to some photoshopped, falsified documents.

This situation highlights a broader tension within Serbia regarding academic freedom, national identity, and political influence in higher education. The Faculty of Philosophy sees itself as defending established academic standards and autonomy against what it perceives as politically motivated interference. The involvement of a government minister in such a direct and critical manner, particularly concerning an issue that falls outside his direct purview, raises serious questions about the separation of powers and the respect for institutional independence. Our reporting at N1 Serbia aims to provide a platform for all sides of this complex issue, ensuring that the public is aware of the legal battles, the political rhetoric, and the potential implications for academic institutions in Serbia.

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The lawsuit has been filed. We expect the Administrative Court to issue a temporary measure and halt the procedure until the administrative proceedings are concluded.