Members of the academic community in Serbia, united under the initiative “Rebel University,” are organizing a protest called “Faculties at the Crossroads” in front of the Government of Serbia building. The protest will begin with a symbolic sixteen-minute silence at 11:52, followed by a program starting at 6 PM. The main demands include dissolving the working group, drafting a new higher education law, opening a public and inclusive debate, repealing illegal amendments to the university work standards regulation, remedying the consequences of these changes, and adopting budget quotas for faculty admissions by the end of June at the latest. The protest is supported by various universities and the Independent Union of Education Workers of Serbia, which calls on employees in the education system to join.
Political Perspectives:
Left: Left-leaning outlets emphasize the protest as a fight for academic freedom, transparency, and democratic participation in shaping higher education policy. They highlight the grassroots nature of the movement and the need to oppose government overreach and illegal changes to university regulations.
Center: Center-leaning sources report the protest factually, focusing on the demands and the organization of the event. They present the protest as a legitimate expression of academic concerns and stress the importance of dialogue between the government and academic institutions.
Right: Right-leaning media may frame the protest as a challenge to government authority or question the motives of the protesters. They might emphasize the need for order and criticize disruptions, while acknowledging the importance of higher education reform but stressing legal and procedural correctness.
