Statement of the SASA Board for Higher Education

The Academy Board for Higher Education of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts expresses its profound concern over the announced change in the legal status of the University of Priština with a temporary seat in Kosovska Mitrovica (UPKM), which will, in essence, endanger the working conditions of the staff employed at this independent higher education institution, thus jeopardising the continuation of education for more than 9,000 students.

With full solidarity for students and academic staff of the UPKM, we call upon the relevant ministries of the Republic of Serbia  – the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovations – to take all necessary steps without further delay to enable the continuation of educational and scholarly activities of the institutions operating within the UPKM and guarantee the right of students to continue their studies and acquire diplomas. The future of the UPKM concerns the entire university sector; therefore, the Government of the Republic of Serbia should make decisions made in consultation with the academic community.

In this regard, and with a sincere desire to contribute to the protection of the rights to work and education of the students and staff of the UPKM, the Academy Board for Higher Education stands ready to offer assistance to the Government of the Republic of Serbia.