Protests and sit-ins have erupted across various cities in Serbia in response to the knife attack on Natalija Jovanović, the dean of the Faculty of Philosophy in Niš.

Following the incident, which occurred during a public gathering, students and citizens have mobilized to express solidarity with the targeted dean.

Within hours after the incident, gatherings and protests were organized in Belgrade, Novi Sad, Niš, and Kragujevac under the slogan 'The Campaign of Violence Must Stop!'.

The protests are supported by the Rector's Collegium of the University of Belgrade, deans from the University of Novi Sad, and other academic institutions in the country.

The Council of the University of Belgrade condemned ongoing calls from public officials for the arrest of University Rector Vladan Đokić, interpreting these demands as undue pressure on the academic community.

Their statement referred to accusations and threats made against university administration as attacks on academic integrity.

In response to the blockage of classes at the Faculty of Philosophy in Novi Sad, the institution has initiated an electronic survey to assess ways to maintain educational activities amidst the ongoing protests, with the aim of resuming missed instructional content.

The situation remains tense as faculty and students grapple with various forms of resistance, evidenced by students at Niš high schools who are physically blocking classroom entrances in solidarity with their teachers who have recently resumed classes despite the protests.

Meanwhile, in Zrenjanin, students from the Technical Faculty, along with citizens, have blockaded the local water supply company as part of a week-long campaign targeting several public institutions to draw attention to ongoing local issues, including access to potable water.

The protests come in the wake of a broader trend of unrest within Serbian academia, where faculty members and students express concern over recent attacks on academic freedoms and credibility.

This unrest has escalated in light of a severe incident involving a public figure linked to the academic community, raising fears of increased violence and repression.

The administration at the Faculty of Philosophy in Niš has articulated that the attack on Dean Jovanović is emblematic of a larger problem within the academic sphere, citing increasing threats and hostile environments as detrimental to educational and institutional integrity.

The response from officials has also been varied, with some acknowledging a need for protective measures for academics, while others have downplayed the political implications of the violent acts.

The broader implications of these events are becoming focal points in ongoing debates surrounding national governance and its impact on educational institutions.

Students from the University of Novi Sad have announced plans for a cycling journey to Strasbourg, France, intending to garner international attention for the issues facing Serbian academia.

Their planned departure is set for April 3, with a route that includes stops in major European cities.

The protests have sparked widespread discussions within the educational community about the future of academic freedom and the necessity for collective action against growing violence and intimidation directed at educational institutions and their members.