Announcement of KONUS on the activity plan for organizing the continuation of the current school year

At the 10th session of the current convocation of the Rectors' Council of the Conference of Serbian Universities (KONUS), held on April 28, which had the primary function of preparing the continuation of the university in the circumstances that should follow the abolition of the state of emergency, the following statement was adopted:

Due to the great interest of students, teachers, associates and researchers, as well as the public as a whole, we announce that, with the inescapable constant care for the health of students, teaching and non-teaching staff, the most important priority of KONUS is the successful completion of the summer semester. 2019/2020. For this reason, it is necessary to devise the best ways for the subsequent organization of practical classes and adequate testing of knowledge.
In the very short time since the declaration of the pandemic and the introduction of the state of emergency, all universities within KONUS have switched to teleworking. During the entire state of emergency, universities had active communication with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development and the National Body for Accreditation and Quality Assurance in Higher Education of Serbia, but also with students and student representatives, which enabled the work of higher education and research institutions. at a distance in specific circumstances caused by the spread of COVIĐ19. Distance work implied the organization of electronic teaching, where the final exams must still be organized at the headquarters of the institution. The fulfillment of the planned volume of classes is very high, and the students showed high enthusiasm in following the classes and accepted it well. Teleworking also required more teacher involvement than usual, so this is an intense period for them as well.
KONUS member universities will strive to create all the necessary preconditions for students to return to classrooms within a reasonable time, in cooperation with the Ministry. The first condition in that regard implies the possibility of physical arrival of students staying on the territory of the Republic of Serbia in the facilities of faculties and universities, which should be enabled by the reintroduction of intercity and city traffic. Universities will give full support to student centers for the purpose of preparing student dormitories for student return. The ministry announced support for the provision of all student dormitories, including adequate disinfection and the implementation of rules on maintaining hygiene in them.
The next phase is the opening of faculty classrooms and laboratories. It is expected that the disinfection of the buildings of all faculties will be done as soon as possible. All faculty administrations will undergo appropriate training for technical staff, in charge of taking care of hygiene in the facilities. Appropriate protective equipment will be provided for students and employees in faculty and university buildings.
Since some faculties have an April exam deadline, which, of course, could not be held, the subsequent maintenance of that deadline is the first task. The second is, for those faculties that have experimental, laboratory and practical exercises, organizing intensive dates for their maintenance. In addition, it is necessary for the faculties to provide the prescribed physical distance in the premises where exams or practical classes and consultations are held.
If the obligations of high school students were completed in a timely manner, according to the plans of the Ministry, the schedule for organizing entrance exams for enrollment at the faculties should not be significantly disrupted. When it comes to final papers on undergraduate studies and master's theses, an understanding should be shown to extend the required deadlines, in order to allow enough time for their preparation and defense, with the enrollment of the next level of studies.
Finally, since a number of faculties and universities are obliged to submit documentation for accreditation in the period soon after the end of the state of emergency, KONUS, with the full support of the National Body for Accreditation and Quality Assurance in Higher Education of Serbia, will send a request to the Ministry to apply for accreditation.
KONUS member universities will take all necessary measures to enable students, teachers, researchers and associates to continue their academic and professional development and achieve all their goals and interests as members of a large and solidary academic community in the Republic of Serbia. This high priority will be implemented by KONUS members in compliance with all prescribed measures for the protection of public health and in constant coordination with the competent public authorities. "

In addition to 14 (out of a total of 18) members of the Rectors' Council and the KONUS Professional Service, the session was also attended by representatives of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development and the National Body for Accreditation and Quality Assurance in Serbian Higher Education.