President Milanović: Universities must be independent of any interests, including party interests
“I believe that the absence of party politics at universities, which are a public good, is a fundamental prerequisite for preserving universities from that kind of servitude – left, right, ultra-liberal – which does not allow one to think differently about some things that the elites consider to belong to them personally, that they consider to be a scripture to be imposed on others. It is my deep conviction that public universities, founded by the Republic of Croatia, are no place for this” the President of the Republic, Zoran Milanović, said today at a special session of the University Senate, which was held on the occasion of University of Zadar Day.
“Croatian universities are financed by the state, but they are also given autonomy, according to the Croatian Constitution. Universities are independent of any external influence, including financial, special interests, and even party interests,” President Milanović pointed out in his address, warning of the negative consequences of mingling politics and universities, and using the example of American universities.
“At American universities, for the last thirty years, one cannot function if one does not think the way one is expected to think. If you advocate some dogmas of liberal ideology, you are kicked out. I am a liberal politician, the President, but also a left-leaning politician and some of these values should be close to me and they are close to me. The universities in America have turned into something like that because of the active engagement of political parties at universities. There is no university without a Democratic or a Republican club, where great future careers of people are not being built. This is bad and a warning for us on how we should behave,” said the President.
President Milanović’s position is that Croatian universities are no place for party interests and politics. “That’s what I believe, that’s how I’ll act, that’s what I’ll say and that’s what I’ll preach. I know that it is not all about science and technology. I know that spirituality is important for our people and I am aware of the circumstances and that the nation is much more than buildings, breakwaters, more than classical condensed matter. But, likewise, science, impartiality and detachment guarantee quality and success,” said the President.
Extending his congratulations on University Day, President Milanović especially congratulated the laureates and students who are acquiring knowledge and building on their ambitions at the University of Zadar. “It is important that these ambitions are healthy, that there is a culture of aspiration, that you want to be better and stronger than the one you are comparing yourself with, but also that you are humane and fair. And to be stronger as a nation, more resilient, richer, and to welcome the day when European funds will no longer be a topic in Croatia, as is the case in Denmark, because they are too rich for that. In this world, wealth and money equal power and independence,” President Milanović concluded.
In addition to President Milanović and the Rector of the University of Zadar Josip Faričić, also speaking at the special session were the Mayor of Zadar Branko Dukić, Zadar County Prefect Božidar Longin, Archbishop of Zadar Msgr. Milan Zgrablić, President of the Croatian Rectors’ Conference and Rector of the University of Split Dragan Ljutić, Minister of Science and Education Radovan Fuchs, the delegate of the Prime Minister and Minister of Regional Development and EU Funds Šime Erlić, and the delegate of the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament and member of the Croatian Parliament Grozdana Perić.
President Milanović was accompanied by the Head of the Office of the President of the Republic Orsat Miljenić and the Adviser to the President of the Republic for Education Jadranka Žarković.
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Filip Glas