Skopje, February 25, 2026 –At the interuniversity meeting of February 24, 2026, at the Rectorate of Ss. Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje, the Rector of Mother Teresa University in Skopje, Full Prof. Bekim Fetaji, Ph.D., participated in the debate regarding the two new draft laws on higher education. While welcoming the initiative for open dialogue, MTU Rector, Full Prof. Bekim Fetaji, Ph.D., expressed sharp criticism and substantial remarks regarding the content of the proposals.
During the discussion, MTU Rector, Full Prof. Bekim Fetaji, Ph.D., analyzed several key problematic issues that concern the integrity of higher education institutions. He emphasized that certain provisions of the Draft Law on Quality Assurance of Higher Education are in direct conflict with the Constitution of the Republic of North Macedonia and the North Macedonia Labor Law.
Particularly concerning was the provision on establishing a University Council as the supreme decision-making body over the Academic Senate.
“Given that over 51% of the members of this council are proposed to be appointed from outside the university community, the legitimate question arises: to what extent will these members, who are not directly affected by university decisions, serve to protect academic interests? This initiative seriously undermines academic autonomy and the principle of institutional self-governance,” emphasized MTU Rector, Full Prof. Bekim Fetaji, Ph.D.
Furthermore, MTU Rector, Full Prof. Bekim Fetaji, Ph.D., raised the issue of financial dependence, questioning the authority of the Ministry of Finance regarding funds generated by the universities themselves.
“Why does the Ministry of Finance have the right to alter financial plans for self-financed resources (Article 109, Paragraph 9), when these are not public budget funds but the product of the university’s own activities?” asked MTU Rector, Full Prof. Bekim Fetaji, Ph.D., adding that if financial autonomy remains merely declarative rather than formally and legally guaranteed, it loses its meaning.
In his address, MTU Rector, Full Prof. Bekim Fetaji, Ph.D., stressed that Mother Teresa University in Skopje remains firmly committed to protecting the universal values of universities as temples of knowledge. He confirmed MTU’s readiness for constructive dialogue, but always in the direction of strengthening high-quality, independent higher education protected from external influences, with respect for academic, financial, and constitutional autonomy.