WORKING GROUPS

Working group 1: Working with decision makers - monitoring and proposing strategic and legal frameworks for academic work

The aim of the group is to critically review the legal solutions of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development (MPNTR), as well as consider and propose legal solutions that do not threaten the autonomy of universities and scientific research organizations and contribute to the efficiency and evaluation of scientific research work. Active participation in drafting upcoming by-laws within the Law on Science and Research. Increasing the MPNTR budget for financing national projects and decentralizing the management of the mentioned funds. Review of regulations, statutes, strategies and regulations of universities and scientific research organizations.

Working group 2: Promotion of professional authority - strengthening the importance of the word profession in the public and towards decision-makers

The main goal of the group is to promote professional expertise as an unavoidable factor in decision-making processes in the domain of public policies, as well as to stimulate public debates within expert communities on issues that are dealt with by decision-makers. In the general public, the group will promote the idea that political decisions on issues for which there are scientific and expert authorities - from the environment, health, education, technology, population policy, to economic and other topics - must not be made within closed political circles, without consultation with relevant academic and professional opinion. Within the academic community, the group will actively promote dialogue among experts (as well as between academic and professional associations) and encourage active participation and public advocacy of professional views - while respecting differences in approaches and attitudes. The group will address the decision-makers directly with its recommendations and critical comments on existing solutions and decisions.

Working group 3: Monitoring of quality standards - accreditation and adherence to the standards of academic institutions, as well as ethical issues

The main activity of the working group is to study the existing legislation and make proposals to decision makers that would lead to simpler procedures regarding the accreditation of higher education institutions, scientific research organizations and study programs. Also, the group will investigate cases of fraud in the accreditation process of institutions and study programs. One of the goals of the group will be to achieve greater transparency of the accreditation process, as well as the general raising of academic standards. The working group also deals with issues of establishing and maintaining appropriate ethical standards in to the work of the academic community. The work of the group takes place on two levels. At the level of general principles, the existing ethical codes of universities and rules governing the work of university ethical committees, faculty ethical commissions and determining non-academic behavior will be analyzed. At the level of individual cases, the group will deal with concrete forms of violation of ethical principles. In this regard, the processing of these specific cases will be analyzed and monitored in order to contribute to their positive resolution with an adequate reaction.

Working group 4: Solidarity and support in the community - responding to violations of norms and procedures in the field of academic work

This working group is focused on solidarity and support for members of the academic community who encounter discrimination and obstacles in their career advancement in their work environment. Such practices, even when they apply only to individuals, violate the professional standards of integrity and excellence on which the academic community rests. The group will deal with proposals for concrete measures to improve progress assessments, in order to eliminate arbitrariness and areas for discrimination.

Ad hoc work group: Academic autonomy - preservation of autonomy and freedom of critical thinking, reaction to attacks

The group deals with potential threats to the autonomy of universities and scientific research organizations in Serbia, adequate responses to such attempts, as well as their prevention in the future. Accordingly, it will deal with existing legal solutions, primarily on higher education and scientific activity, as well as media appearances towards universities, primarily towards decision-makers. In addition to the above, they will also deal with the visibility of Masa's activities in the media, attempts to form channels of reliable information, through which members of the academic community, as well as other citizens, would be more intensively informed. It will also consider the possibilities for the spread and media popularization of critical thinking, that is, the scientific approach to problems.

Ad hoc work group: Networking in academia - connecting academic workers

The Networking Working Group operates at two levels. One relates to the networking of the academic space in Serbia, primarily universities, faculties and institutes, but also other relevant actors such as national councils or Konus. A special place in the process of networking within the academic space is the connection with students and their associations, as well as the revival of cooperation with trade unions. The second level of networking, first of all, is aimed at relevant actors who operate outside the academic space of Serbia, such as the media and organizations that deal with the development and promotion of scientific research work and higher education, but also with all other interested parties.