Extraordinary Senate session on Monday: Court could have the final say on Zaimović's election as rector!

By Amra Vrabac

An extraordinary session of the University of Sarajevo Senate has been scheduled for Monday, September 30, after the Cantonal Inspectorate for Inspection Affairs delivered a decision to the Rectorate on Friday, ordering the University of Sarajevo to annul the Senate's decision on the election of rector Tarik Zaimović for the 2024-2028 term, as well as to annul the Public Call for the election of the rector.

At a press conference held on Friday after receiving the decision from the chief cantonal inspector of the educational inspection, UNSA Rector Rifat Škrijelj stated that he would not comply with this decision. His term expires tomorrow.

The formal inauguration of the new rector, the 20th in the 75-year history of the University, is scheduled for Tuesday, October 1. However, the current situation and the actions of the KUIP, as well as investigative bodies acting on anonymous complaints after the election of rector Zaimović was concluded, cast a shadow over this ceremonial act.

"I publicly inform the public that since the election of the rector, we have been facing anonymous complaints that have been forwarded to various institutions, from the inspectorate, the prosecutor's office, and the Anti-Corruption Office. I publicly tell the ruling majority, as rector, if they allow such a gross attack on UNSA at a time when my term is expiring and the next rector has not yet taken office, the University, due to such irresponsible conduct, would be left without a rector," Škrijelj said on Friday.

He stated that the KUIP's document does not contain a single sentence about what happens when the rector's term expires.

"The inspector has no right to order the rector and the University, and we will prove it. We expect our founder, Canton Sarajevo, to resolve this in accordance with the law," Škrijelj said.

However, the KS Government and the KS Ministry of Science, Higher Education, and Youth have not commented on this situation, which further fuels suspicion that politics has interfered with the academic community.

UNSA lawyer Enver Smajkan announced that he will initiate an administrative dispute before the competent court and that he has previously filed a criminal complaint against the minister and the inspector.

At the same press conference, Škrijelj expressed doubts about the actions of Minister Adna Mesihović and announced that he would seek her recusal.

He once again emphasized that the founder of UNSA, the KS Government and Assembly, bear responsibility for further events if they do not stop this attack on the University's autonomy.

According to Patria's findings, tomorrow's Senate session will be turbulent, and some deans are preparing to request the appointment of an acting rector. On the other hand, the question arises as to why the Statute of the University of Sarajevo and academic autonomy exist if certain political currents, which have been involved in the election of the University of Sarajevo rector from the beginning, can take actions that cause immeasurable damage to the University of Sarajevo.

The political parties forming the government have an obligation and responsibility to do everything to end this scandal as soon as possible before harmful consequences arise for the University's reputation.

We remind you that Tarik Zaimović received 23 votes in the first round of voting, and his opponent Almira Hadžović-Džuvo received 19 votes.

In the second round, Zaimović received 24 votes, Hadžović 21, and one ballot was invalid.