Rector Arsic: The University in Mitrovica operates in difficult conditions, but the city is full of students this year as well

The political and security situation in Kosovo and Metohija significantly affects the conditions under which the University of Pristina, with its seat in Kosovska Mitrovica, operates, Rector Prof. Dr. Nebojsa Arsic says. He points out that despite these challenges, they strive to maintain the best possible conditions for studying and are encouraged by the fact that they have enrolled a large number of students this year.

"The situation in Kosovo and Metohija significantly impacts the conditions in which we operate at the University and in which students fulfill their obligations. This is primarily reflected in the inability to attend lectures and classes; they cannot move freely and face difficulties in crossing the administrative line. All of this diminishes the quality of education, and we are fighting in every way to compensate for it, to enable young people to achieve what is foreseen in the curriculum in the best possible way," Arsic said to Kosovo Online.

Rector Arsic spoke about the situation in which young people live and study in Washington, where, in the organization of the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in the USA, a special conference dedicated to Kosovo and Metohija was held, entitled "Prayer for peace, stability, and justice".

He added that the situation was not challenging only for students but also presented a significant problem for teachers and associates in fulfilling their work duties.
"Nevertheless, we are pleased that at the beginning of the new school year, we had the opportunity to see a city filled with young people, many students... All the introductory lectures were full. This pleases us and shows that, despite all the difficulties we face in our daily work, both students and teachers have realized the seriousness of the moment and the gravity of the situation, and they have all started the new school year with maximum dedication," Arsic said.

He acknowledges that they cannot pretend that everything is fine and that they are constantly in contact with the students' parents, striving to provide them with the maximum security while they are on the university premises and the best possible conditions for studying.

He points out that there are difficulties in obtaining laboratory materials, and basic materials for working with students are often missing.

Furthermore, he reminds that the construction of the University building in North Mitrovica has been halted, which is currently one of the biggest problems.

"All of this indicates that the conditions in which we work are not normal. However, despite everything, I guarantee that classes will proceed as normal, and we will make all the resources we have available. It is important to ensure that the political situation is calm and stable, so that students can learn and work," Arsic said.

When asked if there was fear among students when they saw the police constantly conducting searches and making arrests, he responded that there was always fear but, above all, a sense of humiliation was present.

"The humiliation you feel as a human being when they pull you out of the car as if you were the worst criminal, search you, look for weapons, or something else... But despite that, I think what hurts them the most is seeing that young people stay here," the rector stated.

He is aware that people are leaving Kosovo, but he is still pleased that there are newly enrolled students who have never set foot in Kosovo.

"Many of our student programs are completely full, which surprised us because we expected lower enrollment due to the current political situation, but fortunately, that didn't happen," the rector happily says.

He also notes that there has been a sudden increase in interest in the University recently.

"Probably because of the political situation. International representatives and heads of foreign missions are coming... We constantly point out the problems we encounter to them. They express understanding, but unfortunately, they haven't taken any action on the ground to make things better. We don't feel any improvement. Everything that was present before their arrival remains the same, if not worse. We are in constant contact, pointing out the problems, their responsibility for ensuring a normal life, studying... The University of Pristina is a member of the European Association of Universities and other associations, and we operate in accordance with all regulations, expecting normal working conditions to be provided for us," Arsic is clear.

When asked how much longer they could endure in such conditions, he said:

"We will endure as long as it takes, there is no doubt about that. We have to adapt to the situation, not improvise at the expense of quality, but we have to find solutions".

He also says that when the conditions for learning became impossible on-site, they immediately switched to hybrid learning and acquired state-of-the-art equipment.
"We are resourceful because what is bad compels us to be better, to increase the quality of education, and that can only be achieved through personal effort and engagement. Students see and appreciate that," Arsic said.

When asked what message he would convey to Serbian students in the US, he says that young people always find a way to connect with each other, but the fact is that there is weak collaboration with US universities.

"We have excellent collaboration with European universities. With US ones, it all comes down to personal contacts; students go individually for further education, but there is no institutional cooperation. This is partly the reason we are here, to try to find those channels of communication, to establish cooperation at the institutional level," Arsic stated.

Assistance is welcome through establishing contacts, opening the doors of US universities to teachers from Kosovo to come and visit, as well as through scholarships for students' education.

Describing what it's like to be a student in North Mitrovica, he says that they can focus on their work, but there are many interruptions and disruptions.

"You're studying, you're in class, and suddenly sirens start, problems in the city... All of this affects the students, but they are determined to persevere. Anyone who came to study in Kosovska Mitrovica knows they didn't come to Berkeley or Harvard. They know they came to a place where we will try to provide the best possible conditions, but they should expect some unpleasant situations," Arsic said.

He adds that graduates from the university usually do not stay in Kosovo, despite their efforts to retain the best ones as assistants. However, they leave, and not to other parts of Serbia but mostly abroad.

"Here, first, we need to provide conditions for employment. There is no economy here, no industrial development, and without that, we cannot expect their return... We provide the best with a job and living conditions so that they can start a family here and share their destiny with us," Arsic concluded.