“Problems at the University of Mitrovica”
By Zoran CULAFIC
.
Hello and welcome. From the
studios of UN Radio in Kosovo….
Six months ago Belgrade decided
to appoint a controversial figure, Mr. Radivoje Papovic as the new rector for
the University of Mitrovica. Since the appointment, the United Nations Mission
in Kosovo has decided to not to renew the University’s license. Jeff Bieley,
UNMIK spokesperson says Belgrade’s decision to ignore existing laws has cost
the University valuable international donor contributions.
Bieley
We made our view clear to
Belgrade that this appointment was illegal, and on the basis of that we decided
not to extend the accreditation of the University.
As a result, Bieley says that
the academic work completed by the students and professors at UofM is in
jeopardy. More than 600 academic institutions throughout Europe have endorsed
the United Nation’s decision, refusing to recognize diplomas from the
University of Mitrovica, threatening international academic cooperation with
faculty and students.
Gojko Savic, former University
of Mitrovica rector says Belgrade overstepped political boundaries when it
appointed Papovic. He says the ones to suffer will be the students, adding the
level of education at the university is already suffering.
Savic
Belgrade chose the worst
possible person for that post. Coming from the past regime, Mr. Papovic has
been rehabilitated now under strange circumstances, with the task to “save the
Serbian University in Kosmet”, as they claim.
Former University of Mitrovica
rector Savic told UN Radio - the Association of Universities of Serbia
recognizes all of Serbia’s appointed rectors except for Papovic. The European
Association of Universities and the Student Union of Serbia have said publicly
that Papovic’s appointment has had a harmful impact on students and professors
of the University. Savic explains:
Savic
Acknowledging these
organizations’ public statements should speak for itself. And, it is a fact
that the European Association of Universities sent a letter to 45 European
countries and to 731 European Universities, asking them to avoid any kind of cooperation
with the University in Kosovska Mitrovica as long as Mr. Papovic is the rector
Students at Mitrovica University
are mixed in their reactions to the situation. Many say that they simply want
the University out of the political arena, and back into the academic
sphere.
Dragan, is a 23 year-old student
of Law. He says he was not surprised by the UN decision to revoke the
University’s accreditation.
Dragan
Students in Serbia also lack
UN accreditation, why should we differ from them. That’s one side of the story.
The other side is – probably it would be better to have that certificate, then
perhaps our diplomas would accepted by more European colleges, but … what can
we do … if there is no certificate, ok … but surely the diplomas from the University
in Mitrovica should be recognized by all those who recognize diplomas of
Belgrade University?
But Svetlana, a 22 year-old
student of Medicine, is not happy knowing that her diploma risks being denied
any recognition abroad. She says all the students feel the same - our academic
careers are in jeopardy if we stay at a university that lacks accreditation.
Svetlana
The diplomas of our University,
as they stressed, would be valid exclusively in Serbia proper, but not abroad,
which means less prospects for us students, because many think of how to get
abroad, where they expect better living conditions, better salaries and better
opportunity.
22-year old Medical student,
Svetlana, criticized Belgrade authorities, but also laments that the UN Mission
in Kosovo drew political attention to the issue.
Svetlana
I think it is not good … if they
are making efforts, as they say, to do something in favor of students, then
they should not do anything to harm their positions, not to lump political
fights onto our shoulders.”
For it’s part, the UN Mission in
Kosovo and the Kosovo Ministry of Education joined key European academic
institutions in trying to restore the University of Mitrovica to legal status.
Again, Jeff Bieley, UNMIK
spokesperson:
Bieley
Clearly, the solution is to have
a legitimately selected rector of the University, which means that the
selection has to follow process according to the law.
UN Radio in Kosovo will continue
to monitor the situation as it develops.
This has been a production of UN
Radio in Kosovo; thanks for listening and stay tuned.