Rector of the University of Zadar, Dijana Vican, sent a letter to the President of the Republic of Croatia, Kolinda Grabar Kitarović, expressing regret that the President, through her statements, “nourishes professional sectarianism,” which will lead a considerable number of experts to withdraw from contributing to the public good, something that she herself will also do following the President’s statement.
“I express regret that with such statements you are nourishing professional sectarianism, which will, be assured, lead a considerable number of experts to withdraw from contributing to the public good, something that I will also do after your statement,” reads the letter to the President, published by TV N1.
>>>New issue of Lider: Election of the new management of HEP – Factional battles for control of the largest source of cash
The President of the Special Expert Committee for the Implementation of the Education, Science, and Technology Strategy criticized Grabar-Kitarović in her letter for recently stating that Vican has ‘done her part’ and that she is ‘more compatible with Minister Divjak’ regarding educational reform.
Vican emphasizes that the President has devalued the work of all experts who have expressed their opinions, as the Expert Working Group has not yet addressed any opinions or curriculum proposals.
“Dear Madam President, I express regret that as the President of the Republic of Croatia you have not found words to achieve synergy, but rather publicly support Minister Divjak, elevating the dignity of the minister while undermining my dignity as a university professor and rector,” Vican emphasizes.
https://youtu.be/YRUdEadt6_k
She assesses that the President, with her statement in a newspaper, joined the “voice of the street to which Minister Divjak belongs, rather than the culture of work of those who conduct discussions at the table and use arguments.”
>>>President: Hungary blocks access to OECD due to ‘protection of business interests’
“With this statement, you have drawn a dividing line that I have politely refrained from crossing all this time, not pouring oil on the fire, extending a hand to Minister Divjak, which she has persistently rejected,” reads, among other things, the letter from Rector Dijana Vican to President Kolinda Grabar Kitarović.
The President stated in the N1 television program on Sunday that she is “more compatible with Minister Divjak” and that “they think in the same way.” Vican, added Grabar Kitarović, “worked on the first reform and has done her part and can contribute, but it definitely needs to be teamwork.”
Grabar-Kitarović: I will respond to Vican like anyone else
President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović did not want to respond on Thursday to the rector of the University of Zadar, Dijana Vican, who accused her of “nourishing professional sectarianism” by supporting the education reform concept advocated by Minister Blaženka Divjak.
The President, who is in Malta for a meeting of European presidents, told reporters that she would respond to Vican as she would to anyone else who writes a letter.
The President of the Special Expert Committee for the Implementation of the Education, Science, and Technology Strategy criticized Grabar-Kitarović in her letter for recently stating that Vican has “done her part” and that she is “more compatible with Minister Divjak” regarding educational reform.
>>>Leader Plenković and co-host Divjak announce a new competition for the Expert Working Group
“I have received a letter from Ms. Vican, I usually respond to every letter as much as I can, so I will respond to Ms. Vican as well,” stated the Croatian President.
She reiterated that she believes the education reform has become highly politicized, although it should be a developmental issue and a matter of “the unity of all of us in Croatia to finally start the reform of the education system.”
“It is absolutely necessary, as shown by the example of countries that achieve high GDP growth, which are countries that have reformed their education systems,” added Grabar-Kitarović.
