The trade union of the Faculty of Technical Sciences (FTN) at the University of Novi Sad issued a formal statement on Thursday urging Dean Boris Dumnić to resign without delay. In the document, the union alleges that Dumnić’s actions in recent months have contravened the university’s Statute, the Faculty’s internal regulations, and broader Serbian law, and have seriously damaged FTN’s reputation.

According to the union, Dumnić’s most contentious moves include signing a public endorsement for the electoral list “Aleksandar Vučić – Serbia Must Not Stop” while serving as dean, a step the union says blurs the line between academic leadership and partisan politics. The union also points out that Dumnić was the first dean to request police intervention on campus when students staged blockades of faculty buildings, a decision they view as an excessive use of force against peaceful protest.

Further accusations involve Dumnić’s alleged participation in a secret ballot at the University Senate concerning the appointment of Professor Vladimir Mihić to a full professorship. The union claims the vote violated the Statute because Mihić had not yet been formally appointed to the rank nor had his employment contract been extended, rendering the Senate’s decision illegitimate.

The union also highlights Dumnić’s failure to act on a request for public‑interest information filed by academic Ivan Nešković. The lack of response has prompted multiple complaints before the Commissioner for Access to Public Information and Data Protection, suggesting possible non‑compliance with transparency obligations.

Finally, the union argues that Dumnić disregarded the legal right of more than 200 FTN union members to organize and be represented. By not recognizing the union’s representativeness, the dean allegedly violated the law governing collective bargaining and union activity.

The FTN union’s statement concludes that the cumulative effect of these alleged violations “seriously undermines the integrity and public trust of the Faculty of Technical Sciences.” It calls on the University Council and the Ministry of Education to initiate an immediate review of Dumnić’s conduct and to accept his resignation.

University officials have not yet responded to the union’s demands. The situation adds to ongoing tensions in Serbian higher education, where debates over academic freedom, political influence, and administrative accountability have intensified ahead of upcoming national elections.

Sources (learn more):

insajder.net — https://insajder.net/prenosimo/novi-sad-sindikat-trazi-ostavku-dekana-ftn-borisa-dumnica