Who is helping Sebija Izetbegović to dismiss the Rector of the University of Sarajevo?

By: A. Varatanović

Yesterday, a session of the Teaching-Scientific Council of the Faculty of Medicine in Sarajevo was held at the University Clinical Center Sarajevo, convened and chaired by the dismissed dean Semra Čavaljuga. At that session, which was held outside the academic premises, i.e., outside the Faculty of Medicine, the members of the Teaching-Scientific Council did not act according to the act of the University of Sarajevo to elect an acting dean of that faculty and to announce a competition for the election of a dean. Instead, a proposal for the premature dismissal of the Rector of the University of Sarajevo was put on the agenda. 

In the discussion that took place, according to Patria's sources, numerous accusations were made against the rector, and the final outcome was an initiative for the premature dismissal of the rector. According to unofficial information, the director of KCUS, Sebija Izetbegović, and a member of the Teaching-Scientific Council of the Faculty of Medicine in Sarajevo, stated that in a conversation with other deans, she "concluded that there is a critical mass for the dismissal of the rector". 

The Rector of the University of Sarajevo, Rifat Škrijelj, briefly commented on yesterday's session of the Teaching-Scientific Council.

"I heard about the session of the Teaching-Scientific Council of the Faculty of Medicine being held outside the academic premises. I don't know the details and I wouldn't comment further at this moment. When I receive the conclusions from that session, I will be able to say more," Škrijelj told Patria. 

Two members who were supposed to be elected to the position of associate professor at the Faculty of Medicine left the session of the Teaching-Scientific Council. After they tried to address the session, which Čavaljuga did not allow, the two of them left the session. The item regarding their election to the position of associate professor was then removed from the agenda, while other elections to positions were carried out. This action by the Teaching-Scientific Council caused damage to their labor-legal status, and the University of Sarajevo will also comment on the matter.  

At the same time as the legally questionable session of the Teaching-Scientific Council was being held at KCUS, Rector Škrijelj attended a session of the KS Government, where the budget of the University of Sarajevo was discussed. The planned budget for UNSA is 125 million KM, and the rector received the support of the majority of the Government members. Next week, talks are expected between representatives of the Government, the UNSA Rectorate, and the University Trade Union to harmonize the proposed budget.

Who can submit a proposal for the dismissal of the rector?

According to the Law on Higher Education of KS, an explained proposal for the dismissal of the head of a higher education institution to the Senate can be submitted by the minister on behalf of the founder, the founder themselves, at least one-third of the members of the Management Board, at least one-third of the members of the Senate, and at least three councils of organizational units.

"The Senate decides on the proposal for the premature dismissal of the head of a higher education institution by secret ballot, and a simple majority of the total number of voting members of the Senate is required to adopt the decision on dismissal," the Law states. 

The Rector can also be prematurely dismissed by the Management Board, but for reasons related to the operations of the University of Sarajevo. 

The head of a higher education institution is accountable to the Senate for their work in the domain of academic affairs, and to the Management Board in the domain of operations, as specified in the Law. 

It is not yet known what "critical mass" Izetbegović was referring to, but it is certain that the turbulent relations between the rector and the Faculty of Medicine are continuing.