education
April 16, 2026
DOWNFALL! IN JUST FIVE YEARS, THE UNIVERSITY OF BELGRADE UNDER POLITICIAN ĐOKIĆ HAS DROPPED A STAGGERING 39 PLACES: 'What would happen if he got a state position?'
In less than five years of Rector Vladan Đokić's "rule" over the University of Belgrade (BU), this once-celebrated institution with a 187-year tradition has fallen by a staggering 39 places on the Global 2000 list by the Center for World University Rankings (CWUR), which, along with the Shanghai Ranking, represents the most important university ranking lists in the world!
TL;DR
- The University of Belgrade has fallen 39 places on the CWUR Global 2000 ranking list in under five years, from 348th in 2021 to 387th in 2025.
- The Shanghai Ranking also shows a decline, with the university struggling to remain in the 401-500 group, compared to being between 201-300 ten years ago.
- Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić described the situation as "educational genocide," noting a significant decrease in graduates.
- Experts, including Professor Milan Petričković and Dean Patrik Drid, cite political interference, misuse of faculties for political agendas, and poor management of funds and priorities as reasons for the decline.
- Regional competitors like the University of Zagreb are surpassing Belgrade University in key disciplines.
Continue reading the original article