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Rectors Oppose University Act Amendment in Open Letter
Thursday 18 February 2010 Zoom in | Print page
Bratislava, February 18 (TASR) - College and university rectors plan to send an open letter to MPs conveying their disapproval with the University Act amendment submitted by MP Mojmir Mamojka (Smer-SD), Comenius University Rector Frantisek Gaher said at a press conference on Thursday.
The letter titled 'Twilight Over Quality of University Education', signed by ten rectors already, will ask the MPs to dismiss the amendment in question, which attempts to expand post-secondary possibilities through changes in classifications.
Gaher said that the University Act amendment isn't designed to help public colleges, it only caters to business interests. University rectors also concur that this piece of legislation violates the comprehensive accreditation process. "It would mean that 20 colleges were accredited using more stringent rules than the remainder of schools would be," said Gaher.
According to Kosice's P.J. Safarik University Rector Ladislav Mirossay, there's a sufficient number of guarantors in Slovakia. "We have enough guarantors in Slovakia, the problem is that there's way too many colleges," said Mirossay. Increasing the age limit for guarantors to 70 doesn't sit well with Muse Arts College Rector Ondrej Sulaj either. "The current situation compels schools to search for young and prospective people who could pursue a professorship," said Sulaj.
Education Minister Jan Mikolaj opposes the amendment as well, on the grounds that it violates everything the ministry has tried to do via its reform process.
The proposal has been submitted by Mamojka, allegedly with an eye towards addressing the lack of university guarantors which in turn will enhance the education possibilities at colleges.
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