On the occasion of the announcement that the UGPS Nezavisnost State University in Novi Pazar (DUNP) sent to the general public, the Network of Academic Solidarity and Engagement (MASA) expresses concern about the escalation of accumulated problems in higher education that lead to the further collapse of the credibility of state universities in the Republic of Serbia. In the announcement, the claims about the violation of the right to advancement in the academic and professional career, as well as the labor rights of employees at DUNP by the rector prof. Dr. Zane Dolicanin confirms that the authoritarian model of state management is reflected in other institutions, including state universities in the Republic of Serbia. This case is one more in a series of evidence that the processes that invalidate the academic integrity of university teachers in Serbia continue and with increased intensity. The number of university administrations that apply repressive measures in order to further intimidate the academic community and turn its members into followers is growing. Such actions generally lead to further humiliation of the university and denial of its role as an institution of the highest national importance, guardian of democracy and driver of socio-economic progress.
MASA provides support to colleagues from DUNP in their efforts to defend the credibility of their institution. At the same time, we call on all members of the academic community to persevere in the fight for the preservation of academic and civil rights and freedoms, including the rights to work, association and social dialogue guaranteed by the Constitution and the Labor Law as significant achievements of modern European states.
