State Secretary Zsembera Presents Changes in New University Act

Bratislava, 31 July (TASR) - Following an agreement with partners, Education Ministry State Secretary Robert Zsembera (Voice-SD) has presented changes in the draft new University Act in a video on a social network. Zsembera stated that the law isn't about politicisation or interfering in academic autonomy. He also stressed that the legislative procedure is still ongoing and that the final bill will be submitted to the government only after all negotiations have been completed. "After a week of discussions, we've agreed on specific changes that are an important step towards a more modern and fairer higher education environment," said the state secretary. He said that the law should clearly define what academic freedom and self-governance mean. "The ministry won't be able to dismiss a member of the board of directors without giving a reason, and it won't interfere with the terms in office of the current members of the executive board of the Slovak Accreditation Agency for Higher Education," he said. He clarified that the nomination principle for the election of executive board members will be replaced by an open selection procedure in which all three statutory representations of universities will be represented in a five-member selection commission. "The entire process will be in line with international experience and will be carried out by the agency itself in order to further strengthen its independence," added Zsembera. The ministry is also introducing some other measures following agreement with its partners. The state secretary explained that the aim is to introduce mandatory sabbaticals for university lectures and to change labour contracts to make academic careers more attractive and stable. ko/df