The initiative board of the Network of Academic Solidarity and Engagement (MASA) supports the Rector of the University of Belgrade Ivanka Popović and the protesting students to find a solution that is in the interest of the entire academic community.
The autonomy of the University was once again called into question by the statements of the President of Serbia, the Prime Minister of Serbia and the highest officials of the ruling party. We invite University authorities, colleagues who support our initiative and everyone who cares about defending the value of academic work and freedom of thought to publicly express solidarity with the Rector and students.
The Prime Minister's statements that the Rector "aligned herself on one political side", as well as the unequivocal rejection of the finance minister's plagiarism by the highest representatives of the government, mean the autonomy of the university and the freedom to independently decide on issues that fall under the exclusive competence of the university. The prime minister has labeled the rector and the students as political opponents, thus publicly choosing to be the prime minister of only part of the citizens who are of her political like-mindedness. Once again, we draw attention to the fact that such actions indicate a deep misunderstanding of the essence of university autonomy and scientific research work. The University of Belgrade is neither a government agency nor a political party, and it is unacceptable for any government to use power and abuse institutions to put pressure on the University and its leadership. Therefore, we strongly condemn the attacks on the rector in the pro-regime media.
We must show that the academic community is not ready to silently observe the endangerment, belittling, blackmailing, intimidation of its representatives and students and the meaningless of scientific work. Freedom of scientific work and guaranteed autonomy in the organization of work and decision-making have been essential values of university activity since the 12th century. Therefore, we consider supporting the Rector and students as an act of defending the university's autonomy and freedom of academic activity, as one of the basic elements of a free and democratic society.
In Belgrade, September 24, 2019.
Initiative Board of the Network of Academic Solidarity and Engagement
Dalibor Petrović
Đorđe Pavićević
Galjina Ognjanov
Gazelle Pudar Drasko
Nenad Makuljević
