A significant protest occurred today in front of the Serbian government building, where members of the academic community gathered under the initiative named 'Pobunjeni univerzitet' or 'Rebel University'.

The protest, titled 'Faculties at the Crossroads', aims to highlight ongoing issues within the higher education system of Serbia, symbolizing the collective stance of participants at a pivotal decision point between compliance and resistance.

The gathering officially began at 11:52 AM local time with a symbolic sixteen-minute moment of silence to honor the victims of a recent architectural failure at a railway station in Novi Sad.

This moment of respect concluded at 12:08 PM with attendees expressing their condolences without incident.

In preparation for the majority of the protest, attendees were instructed to maintain a peaceful presence as a way of drawing attention to their cause.

The main demands of the protesting students include the dissolution of the working group tasked with drafting a new Law on Higher Education.

Protesters called for an inclusive public discussion about the new legislation.

They are also advocating for the repeal of recent unlawful amendments to the Regulation on University Staff Standards and measures to mitigate their consequences.

Furthermore, they are urging for budgetary quotas for university admissions to be established by the end of June, a request they have formally presented to the Serbian government.

Earlier in the event, a coalition of students and activists joined the gatherers, displaying banners with messages such as 'Mathematics Demands a Clear Account' and 'Engineers Against Machinery'.

The protest is receiving widespread support from various educational institutions across the country, including free universities in Novi Sad, Kragujevac, Niš, and the St. Sava University located in Kosovo Mitrovica.

A representative of the initiative, Vladimir Vukomanović Rastegorac, conveyed the urgency of the situation to the media after submitting their demands to government officials.

He emphasized the necessity for societal consensus on whether to promote knowledge and critical thinking or to penalize them.

When questioned about the implications of not adopting budgetary quotas, he warned it could lead to the spontaneous closure of universities and an increase in unregulated educational institutions that may not produce qualified professionals for the workforce.

In the organized areas of the protest, tents have been set up to provide food and beverages for participants, as well as designated first aid stations equipped with basic medical supplies.

Volunteers are also managing trash disposal to maintain cleanliness.

Access for emergency services remains prioritized, with clear pathways left on the streets.

In correlation with the planned activities, a meeting was held involving University of Belgrade Rector Vladan Đokić and Prime Minister Đura Macut, before which the rector was expected to address the assembled protestors.

Following a brief interval marked by the moment of silence, the formal protest activities are set to resume at 6 PM with speeches from professors, students, and artists, highlighting the broader implications of the current educational policies.

The protest is endorsed by the Independent Trade Union of Education Workers of Serbia, which has called upon educators from various levels of the educational system to join in solidarity with the university professors.

The event has attracted considerable public attention, indicating broader societal interest in the state of higher education in Serbia.