Representatives Discuss Higher Education Law of Sarajevo Canton

Minister of Education of Sarajevo Canton Elvir Kazazović presented the Draft Law on Higher Education during the session of the Sarajevo Canton Assembly, stating that a new structure and recomposition of the text has been made, containing five parts: higher education, UNSA, supervision over the application of the law, penal provisions, and transitional and final provisions, reports Patria News Agency. The Rector of UNSA, Rifat Škrijelj, is also attending the session.

- Only 27 articles relate to the University of Sarajevo. From Article 142 to Article 169. All remarks agreed upon with the Prime Minister and the academic community have been incorporated into the Draft Law. With the amendments from the representatives accepted by the Government, it has been drafted in a way that considers the proposals of all entities. The law's provisions on treasury operations have been aligned with the framework law - Kazazović said.

The Government adopted amendments from political parties and individuals as justified: SBB 2 amendments, the Independent Representatives Club 5 amendments, Sabina Ćudić 1 amendment, and Representative Mario Vukasović 4 amendments.

Selma Filipović, a representative from SBB, asked why the collective rights of UNSA employees were not regulated.

- The law does not sufficiently explain the possible negative consequences of such solutions. How and in what way does it intend to abolish legal subjectivity in such a short period? Who will take over the obligations of the organizational units? Will all employees transfer to the treasury, or only recognized staff? How many people are employed on a fixed-term basis? How much will we burden the budget for the next year?

Mario Vukasović asked about the current stage of this law and whether these procedures are in accordance with the law.

Zvonko Marić, a representative from SBB, asked if KCUS will be a teaching or research base under this law.

- It is true that the influence of politics in the Management Board has been somewhat mitigated. It seems to me that this will be the victory of bureaucracy because that body has broad powers, and would that mean the triumph of bureaucracy as it has been so far - Marić said.

Minister Kazazović stated that it is necessary to establish clear criteria for the election of Management Board members and that these six representatives should be true representatives of the University of Sarajevo Senate. These criteria will be determined by the Sarajevo Canton Government.

Sifet Kukuruz, Assistant Minister for Higher Education, stated that the Ministry does not participate in the process of KCUS becoming a teaching base for the group of medical faculties.

Kazazović said that the Sarajevo Canton Government will have to assume the risk of taking over the debts of certain higher education institutions.

Prime Minister Elmedin Konaković stated that treasury operations will provide answers to numerous questions, including how money is spent and how the funds allocated by the Sarajevo Canton Government are used.

- There is no obligation for the law to go through the procedure again as a draft and then a proposal. The greatest confusion is caused by two things: the management structure and the Management Board. However, the majority in the Management Board will be from the academic community, thereby protecting its autonomy.

The Rector came at an inconvenient time; he had a different vision for development, and now his hands are tied, Konaković said.

Jasmin Velagić, president of the UNSA Trade Union, stated that the Trade Union does not accept the proposed law.

- This law differs from the one that was a draft. The treatment of UNSA is concerning. It is a shame that UNSA is not under state jurisdiction, but the Canton decides on it. There are no measures to improve the teaching process; we are moving away from the Bologna Process. This law attempts to introduce confrontation between students and professors. For students to be against their professors is not common practice. Regarding the autonomy of professors, it is unacceptable for the law to dictate how a professor will conduct lectures and exams. A student cannot evaluate a professor. Regarding this part concerning UNSA, the Trade Union's proposal is for representatives of the Senate, the Trade Union, and the Government to sit down and find a solution for treasury operations, as is done in the EU. The views of the academic community should be heard - Velagić said.