Instead of Dositej, the government chose the Middle Ages
In the shadow of patriarchal walls, with a mixture of Byzantine nostalgia and cheap populism, a memorandum was signed on the establishment of the University 'Saint Sava'. The president talks about a 'huge step forward', the church leadership invokes Bologna, Leuven and Oxford. On paper, a triumph of tradition and science. In reality, a desperate attempt to save a sinking government with incense and national branding.
TL;DR
- The establishment of the University 'Saint Sava' is viewed as a political tactic by the current regime to regain support amidst scandals and economic issues.
- The new university is criticized for favoring tradition and religious ideology over secular knowledge and critical thinking, reminiscent of medieval educational models.
- This initiative is seen as a deliberate choice to abandon the Enlightenment principles of Dositej Obradović in favor of a more controllable, dogmatic system.
- The author contrasts the proposed university with the established University of Belgrade and highlights a recent student protest as a sign of continued Enlightenment spirit.
- The article concludes that the 'Saint Sava' University is a short-term political project rather than a genuine educational endeavor, with an emphasis on obedience over intellectual freedom.