Serbian Ministry dismisses professors from institute board over neglect of duty

Professors Nebojša Bojović and Vladan Đokić have been dismissed from their positions as president and member, respectively, of the Management Board of the Institute for Architecture and Urbanism. The Ministry of Science, Technological Development, and Innovation announced the decision, citing "neglect of duty and disregard for Serbia's interests in decision-making and political activities that undermine the scientific integrity of the Institute."

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neglect of duty and disregard for Serbia's interests in decision-making and political activities that undermine the scientific integrity of the Institute.

The ministry explained that the dismissals align with the Law on Science and Research. The proposal for their removal was submitted to the Serbian government. The ministry emphasized that this action was taken solely to safeguard the integrity and quality of scientific research in Serbia, which it claims has been held hostage by particular interests and political ambitions of irresponsible leaders.

Vladan Đokić, the dean of the University of Belgrade, is a professor at the Faculty of Architecture. Nebojša Bojović, who previously chaired the Assembly of Serbian Railways Infrastructure, is a professor at the Faculty of Transport and Traffic Engineering. Bojović was in his role during the 2024 incident where a canopy collapsed at the Novi Sad railway station, resulting in 16 fatalities.

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The Ministry has made such a proposal exclusively for the purpose of protecting the integrity and quality of scientific research in Serbia, which, in certain institutes, has been held hostage by particular interests and political ambitions of irresponsible leaders and members of management boards, who, through their actions, have jeopardized the interests of Serbia as the founder and thus betrayed the trust placed in them to perform these public functions.

The ministry condemned any attempts to attribute political motives to these personnel changes. It stated that its objective is to ensure that the governing bodies of scientific research organizations are composed exclusively of individuals recognized for their scientific achievements, professional dedication, and commitment to the founder's interests.

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Through personnel changes in the previous period at the Institute for Architecture and Urbanism, as well as in all other scientific research organizations, the Ministry is trying to ensure that the composition of the management bodies of these institutions is based exclusively on scientific achievements and dedication to the profession, as well as the interests of the founder.