President Vucic invites university representatives to dialogue

President Aleksandar Vucic has invited the Rector's Collegium of the University in Belgrade to dialogue.

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"Proceeding from the constitutional jurisdiction to express the unity of the Republic of Serbia through my actions, and asserting my authority as a holder of public office, whom the citizens directly elected as president on two occasions, I invite you to, together with other competent institutions and representatives of the academic community, start a dialogue within with which we will find solutions for the existing situation in which classes at higher education institutions are still blocked," he said and added:

"After the tragedy in Novi Sad on November 1, 2024, blockades of higher educational facilities began on November 22. The aforementioned blockades have led to the fact that lectures, exercises, exams, and other forms of teaching are not held at higher education institutions. Acknowledging the fact that the extended composition of the collegium supported the current student protests with its announcement on December 10, 2024, I am sure that you are aware that the current situation in the long term harms not only the teaching process at higher education institutions and the students themselves, but also the development of education and science and society as a whole."

Vucic further wrote, "if students and professors at higher education institutions are of the opinion that part of the demands have not been met or that the demands have not been met in full, it is necessary, in my opinion, to open a dialogue about this, as well as about all other issues that may be important for overcoming the existing situations."

"I am convinced that only within the framework of the dialogue we can jointly establish whether the demands of the students have been met and to what extent and specify which activities should be undertaken in order to meet those demands in the expected manner. Rest assured that the competent institutions are ready to work day and night to fulfill all the demands of the students. I expect you to respond to my invitation, which is primarily geared toward the welfare of the University, students and professors, as well as all citizens and the state itself, while respecting the right of everyone to react and express their opinion regarding events of public and social importance. I invite you to start talks on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, for the sake of the well-being not only of young people, but also of the whole society," the president concluded.

(Telegraf.rs)