THE SENATE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ZENICA INVITES THE PRIME MINISTER OF THE ZENIKA-DOBOJ CANTON TO A DIALOGUE

On the occasion of the publicly stated allegations of the Prime Minister of Zenica-Doboj Canton, which stated, among other things, that the University of Zenica ignores the application of the law, that it annuls laws by means of by-laws, that the University of Zenica operates on the border of legality, that the reputation of the University of Zenica is threatened, and in connection alleging that functional supplements mean double payment for the same job, the Senate of the University of Zenica took the following position at the session held on January 31, 2024:

1. As the highest academic body, the Senate of the University of Zenica operates on the principles of legality, transparency, professionalism and independence, thus preventing political influence on the University of Zenica and ensuring academic independence. Regarding the allegation that we work on the border of legality, we point out that the work of the Senate of the University of Zenica takes place exclusively in accordance with the law and the general acts of the University of Zenica, and that the correctness of our work has already been confirmed on two occasions by the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Namely, the Government of the Zenica-Doboj Canton insisted on the application of the earlier provisions of the Law on Higher Education of the Zenica-Doboj Canton, which regulated that the Statute of the University of Zenica is adopted by the Board of Directors, the majority of which are members of the Government and those to whom the Government has enabled influence on the election of the rector and vice-rector. . The Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina considered this issue and pointed out that such provisions of the cantonal law are contrary to the provisions of the Framework Law on Higher Education of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Article 1/2 of the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina. He also pointed out that the public authority cannot influence the adoption of the statute of a higher education institution, because that would violate the university's autonomy. In addition to the above, the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina in its judgment instructed the Assembly of Zenica-Doboj Canton to harmonize the cantonal law in the field of higher education with the Framework Law on Higher Education of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In 2023, the Government of the Zenica-Doboj Canton formed a working group that was supposed to work on the harmonization of regulations, but the work of that working group was interrupted, and the application of the provisions of the Cantonal Law is insisted on, which, in our opinion, are in contradiction with the Framework Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The problem of inconsistency of laws is not something that can be solved by the University, but it is the task and obligation of the authorities in the Zenica-Doboj Canton, and the University is available for professional assistance.

IT IS UNBASED TO DEMAND AND IT IS UNREALISTIC TO EXPECT THE SENATE TO MAKE DECISIONS THAT WILL CONTRARY TO THE FRAMEWORK, THAT IS, THE STATE LAW ON HIGHER EDUCATION!

2. Regarding general allegations that the University of Zenica is privatized, we point out the following: The Senate consists of 25 members, representatives of all faculties of the University of Zenica, the rector, vice-rector and student representatives, and makes its decisions almost unanimously. It is an indicator of high-quality work and cooperation with all organizational units and a democratic approach that allows all subjects to be involved in decision-making processes. Through its activities, the Senate of the University of Zenica fulfills its social mission related to the improvement of academic integrity and academic freedom, while promoting the principles of ethical and professional activity.
3. In relation to the allegation that the University is asking for something that belongs to the teacher's regular job to be paid through the functional supplement, it is necessary to point out that this is not true and that the functional supplement, which exists in all institutions of higher education, is a supplement to the salary of additional, not regular, teachers. jobs, and that each function implies certain tasks, obligations and responsibilities, which go beyond the regular duties of a teacher at the University. We fear that through the abolition of functional supplements, the University of Zenica wants to be destabilized, and ultimately it seems that they want to call into question the ongoing accreditation of the University.
4. Regarding the statement that the University of Zenica is not well positioned in the rankings and that its reputation is being damaged, we emphasize that the University of Zenica is doing everything to improve its work and that we have advanced by 137 places on the Webometrics ranking, which deals with the ranking of world universities.
5. The Senate of the University of Zenica expects the authorities in the Zenica-Doboj Canton to stop damaging the reputation of this institution and to provide us with support for further development, because only by investing in education and culture can we expect progress. The Senate of the University of Zenica invites the authorities to get in touch with the representatives of the University of Zenica and through dialogue resolve doubts regarding the work of the University of Zenica.

SENATE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ZENICA