PRESS RELEASE – Not a single member of the Senate of the University of Zenica voted FOR the politically motivated attempt to dismiss the rector

The University Senate today rejected the proposal of the Board of Directors to dismiss the Rector, deeming it unfounded, legally and statutorily questionable, and deeply damaging to the integrity and autonomy of the University.

Such an attempt, motivated by obvious political and non-institutional pressures, represents a serious attack on the academic self-governance and autonomy of the University - fundamental values of every democratic and free society. The attempt to suppress the will of the academic community with political force met with a strong, clear and decisive response from the Senate.

The University will not and must not be held hostage to daily politics, personal interests and media constructs. The academic community has shown maturity, unity and readiness to defend the principles on which the University is founded – truth, knowledge, freedom of thought and legal certainty.

We call on all social actors to respect the law, academic autonomy and the principles of democratic governance. Attacks on the University are attacks on the future of this society.

The university is not and will not be a political service. We will remain free, responsible, and focused on knowledge and progress.