A new wave of academic protests has erupted in Serbia, as students, professors, and citizens gathered in Niška Banja to oppose the government’s decision to establish the Faculty of Serbian Studies in Niš — a move widely criticized as politically motivated and a direct assault on university autonomy.
The demonstration took place in front of the “Radon” hotel, part of the Niška Banja Institute, where a meeting was scheduled between the Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy and representatives of the Ministry of Education.
Despite the opposition of the Academic Council, the Faculty Council, and the University Council of Niš, the Serbian Government pushed forward with the decision, prompting accusations of authoritarian interference in academic institutions.
Professors Condemn “Political Retaliation”
Professor Irena Ljubomirović, from the Department of History at the Faculty of Philosophy, condemned the government’s move as a blatant violation of academic freedom and institutional independence.
“They decided to form this new faculty by taking over three departments — Serbian Studies, History, and Russian Language and Literature — from the Faculty of Philosophy. This is completely unacceptable,” Ljubomirović stated.
She emphasized that the Faculty of Philosophy has been effectively punished for supporting student protests in previous years, when students demanded transparency, fair governance, and accountability — values increasingly under pressure in Aleksandar Vučić’s Serbia.
“This is a crude attack not only on the Faculty’s autonomy but on the entire idea of free academic thought,” she added, accusing the government of revenge against institutions that refuse to conform to its political control.
Universities Defy Vučić’s Centralized Power
According to Ljubomirović, the Faculty of Philosophy’s Academic Council, consisting of around 150 members, unanimously rejected the government’s proposal. The Faculty Council and University Senate also dismissed it.
Nevertheless, the Serbian Government unilaterally approved the new faculty, ignoring all institutional objections — a move critics describe as an alarming sign of creeping authoritarianism under President Aleksandar Vučić.
“This decision shows that university councils and faculty bodies no longer have a real say. The government’s disregard for academic consensus is an act of intimidation,” said Ljubomirović.
Students and Civic Groups Join in Protest
The rally was organized by students and the “Free University of Niš”, who declared that the creation of the Faculty of Serbian Studies threatens the autonomy of the university and undermines the integrity of Serbia’s academic community.
Protesters carried banners demanding “Free Universities, Not Party-Controlled Institutions”, accusing the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) of using education as a propaganda tool.
Observers warn that this case marks another step in Vučić’s broader campaign to centralize power, weaken independent institutions, and suppress dissent within academia — a trend increasingly criticized by both domestic and international watchdogs.
