Latest controversy in Croatian educational system draws opposing views.
Minister of Science, Education, and Sports Predrag Šustar said that the principle of autonomy of the Faculty of Philosophy must absolutely be respected. He gave his statement a day after the meeting of the plenum of students of the Faculty of Philosophy, who decided against the proposal for cooperation with the Catholic Faculty of Theology, reports HRT on April 7, 2016.
“As I understand it, this would not be an integration with the Catholic Faculty of Theology, but a cooperation which would contribute to providing students with a better offer. I would leave this debate to the autonomy of the Faculty of Philosophy, as well as the University of Zagreb”, said the Minister.
The plenum of students of the Faculty of Philosophy in Zagreb met yesterday evening and decided against the proposal for signing a cooperation agreement with the Catholic Faculty of Theology. Under the contract, the two faculties would share common double-subject degrees.
Many consider that such integration would bring about a collision of two worldviews. Individual departments of the Faculty of Philosophy have voted about the cooperation and, out of 21 departments, 14 voted in favour, six against and one was undecided. Some students fear they would be disadvantaged in comparison with their colleagues from the Catholic Faculty.
“Students, employees, and the wider public have decided tonight to prevent the signing of the contract, which has been prepared in a non-transparent manner. The Faculty of Philosophy would be damaged by such an agreement”, said Robert Faber from the Faculty of Philosophy.
On the other hand, Dario Mican from the Catholic Faculty of Theology believes that yesterday’s meeting was not a plenum at all. “It was not even an academic discussion. I am sorry about students of the Faculty of Philosophy because others are making decisions about their future”, he said and added that it was not an integration, but cooperation.
First Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Karamarko did not want to comment, citing the principle of academic autonomy. “They should agree among themselves and if they do, then we will be able to comment”, he said.
