Hot autumn for the academic community, fight for UNSA autonomy continues

By: Amra Varatanović

The adoption of the Draft Law on Higher Education in the Assembly of the Sarajevo Canton on the last day of July demonstrated the political strength of the ruling SDA-SBB coalition, spiced with various forms of trade with individuals who supported them. The academic community, officially represented that day by the Rector of the University of Sarajevo, Rifat Škrijelj, instead of being supported by university professors sitting in the deputy benches, experienced a completely opposite scenario. Instead of logically protecting the public university where they work, they immersed themselves in the roles of politicians, raising their hands for a law whose consequences they will soon feel themselves.

Among the SBB deputies are two university professors, Selma Filipović and Rasim Lakota, and the independent deputy, Professor Amel Mekić, also voted in favor.

By implementing this legal solution, UNSA is brought under political control, the role of the academic community is lost, and by switching to treasury operations, all money flows will depend on the Government of the Sarajevo Canton. Numerous international projects that are ongoing or in the application process are being called into question. For their further fate, faculties and institutes that lose legal subjectivity will no longer be responsible; the sole culprit will be the Government of the Sarajevo Canton, led by Prime Minister Elmedin Konaković and Minister of Education Elvir Kazazović, who proposed a law full of shortcomings. It is surprising that the minister, who is also a professor at the Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, does not consider the consequences he will feel well after the end of his ministerial term.

Investment in science, which is the foundation for further development of the University, is clearly not the goal of this Government. Restricting the University with an over-regulated law and complete control over all processes is an introduction to the devastation of the oldest and best public university in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The creators of this legal solution did not listen to the voice of the academic community, nor of legal experts, and the adopted amendments by certain deputies from the ruling coalition abolished the voting rights of the vice-rectors of the University of Sarajevo. Considering that now, in addition to the Senate, the Management Board has also been given the power to dismiss the rector and deans, it is clear that the aim was to create a basis for the next step – the dismissal of the rector.

Those who had the opportunity to warn the Government of the Sarajevo Canton, the Prime Minister, and the ministers about the negative consequences of the law on the University of Sarajevo were characterized as opponents, with no chance of their voice being heeded. For example, it was warned that the closure of 35 faculties and scientific research institutes and the transition to the treasury cannot be implemented within six months, but at least 24 months. However, the Government of the Sarajevo Canton postponed the deadline to the beginning of 2019. The time ahead will show that this is an impossible mission.

Rector Rifat Škrijelj justifiably criticized the law, stating that difficult days lie ahead for UNSA if such a law remains in force. During the session of the Assembly of the Sarajevo Canton, the rector spoke about the facts and possible consequences of the law's application, while Prime Minister Konaković accused the University of criminal activity, non-transparent spending of money, and sale of property. Everything resembled a settling of scores by the Prime Minister with the disobedient members of the academic community, and very likely with the rector, who after the elections left the political position he held in the SDA.

The steel rector, as he is nicknamed in academic circles, clearly told both the Government and the minister that the academic community remains committed to dialogue, but also to the fight for preserving autonomy. If dialogue does not yield results, all other necessary measures for protecting the status of the University of Sarajevo are being prepared. It could be said that a hot autumn is expected in the relationship between the Government of the Sarajevo Canton and UNSA.

It is already clear that the rector will have his hands full in the coming period, and it is not excluded that he will have to fight (or fight off) individuals in his own environment.