Serbia faces skilled labor shortage due to university blockades, minister warns

Minister of Public Investments Darko Glišić stated that Serbia will face a shortage of skilled professionals in the coming years because universities are blocked. He attributed this situation to the leadership of higher education institutions, accusing them of pursuing "irresponsible policies and corrupt political ambitions."

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I see the problem in those who prevent new doctors from graduating from universities. The problem is that the University of Belgrade has 11,500 graduates, and a significantly, significantly smaller number at all other faculties.

Glišić explained that universities are preventing new doctoral candidates and graduates from emerging. He noted that while the University of Belgrade has 11,500 graduates, other universities have significantly fewer. "There will be fewer doctors, fewer economists, engineers, lawyers – everything," he said, adding that students were "imprisoned by their ambitions."

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There will be fewer doctors, fewer economists, engineers, lawyers – everything.

He criticized university leaders for directing students towards activities like sticking labels and attending rallies instead of focusing on their studies. Glišić warned that this will result in substantially fewer students graduating, with the full impact of this shortage not being felt for another five to seven years. He described the situation as a result of the "arrogance" of those who have "destroyed the university."

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Students were imprisoned by their ambitions. They push children to stick labels, tour the field, appear at rallies and do what is not the job of students.

When asked if he was speaking as a public official or a party functionary, Glišić responded that he was speaking as both an official and a citizen. He asserted that the "blockaders" have "ruined the future" of students, particularly at the University of Belgrade, which he claims is most affected. He also referenced incidents of violence and property destruction in his home district, drawing a parallel to the current situation at universities, though he did not explicitly link students to those acts.

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You will feel this problem only in the next five, six, seven years. Because of the arrogance of the people who have destroyed our university.