The Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Personal Data Protection, Rodoljub Sabic, has met today with the Rector, Prof. Dr Vladimir Bumbasirevic, and a group of representatives from the University of Belgrade faculties to discuss the problems associated with the exercise or right to access information in higher education institutions.
Assessing the discussion as very useful, the Commissioner, Rodoljub Sabic, has stated the following in that regard:
„The main topic of the discussion was the need and obligation for the higher education institutions to provide as much information as possible on their work to students, employees in the sector, including the general public, on a proactive basis. Publication of the Information Booklet on official Internet presentations with relevant to-date content is an obligation as specified under the Law and pertinent Instructions issued by the Commissioner for Information pursuant to the Law. This obligation is pertinent to both state and private higher education institutions on the basis of the fact they are vested with public powers.
Status of compliance with this obligation is far from satisfactory wherefore I have recently addressed letters to all higher education institutions in Serbia warning them that failure to comply with the obligation constitutes a punishable offence.
I am of the opinion that, even if the failure to publish the Information Booklet did not constitute a punishable offence, higher education institutions should still invest maximum efforts to improve the current situation. The publication of the Information Booklet, i.e. e-communication in general is appropriate to the time in which we live. Faster, better and more timely publication of the Information Booklet, and especially information on the disposal of public and student's money and funds, is not only a good way for higher education institutions to contribute to affirmation of the notion of transparency as an efficient anti-corruption mechanism at all levels, but also one of the best ways for them to contribute to their own reputation and authority.
In this regard, I would estimate today's discussion as positive and encouraging. The rector and his associates have confirmed that they are aware of the legal obligation and provided assurances that the faculties of the University of Belgrade have, after receiving the warning, started taking necessary steps for future timely compliance with the obligation of publication of Information Booklets. In this regard they requested appropriate assistance, i.e. occasional consultations with my associates, which I have promised them, of course. Given the ''specific weight'' of the University of Belgrade in the overall higher education system of the Republic of Serbia I expect that steps and effects resulting from this meeting to represent a significant positive example."
