Professor Tarik Zaimović, Rector of the University of Sarajevo, contributed to discussions on academic freedom and institutional autonomy at the Magna Charta Universitatum anniversary gathering in Vilnius, Lithuania, from 14 to 16 October 2026. Organised by the Magna Charta Observatory and Mykolas Romeris University, the event brought together university leaders and academics to explore how universities can actively uphold their values in a changing world.
Putting academic values into practice
Speaking on a panel examining European networks, university alliances, and the future of academic values, Professor Zaimović argued that declarations alone cannot protect these principles. They must also shape university governance, regulations, and resource allocation. European university alliances provide a setting in which institutions can put shared commitments into practice across borders, particularly as universities face political, financial, and social pressures.
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EUPeace and European integration
Professor Zaimović cited EUPeace, the European University for Peace, Justice and Inclusive Societies, as an example of how academic integration can precede and facilitate political integration. As a full member of the alliance, the University of Sarajevo participates in cooperation that connects institutions across national boundaries. He linked this experience to the importance of implementing the fundamental values set out in the Rome Ministerial Communiqué, including academic freedom, institutional autonomy, and academic integrity. For Bosnia and Herzegovina and other countries pursuing European Union membership, he stressed that alignment with European higher education standards is also part of wider democratic and social development.
Autonomy and responsibility
A central message of his contribution was that university autonomy carries responsibilities towards society. Protecting institutional independence enables universities to develop critical thinking, contribute to democratic processes, and respond to societal needs. The discussions emphasised the need to make these responsibilities visible in teaching, research, and everyday institutional decisions.
A longstanding commitment
The University of Sarajevo was among the original signatories of the Magna Charta Universitatum, adopted in Bologna in 1988. Its contribution in Vilnius brought this longstanding commitment into the discussion of how European university alliances, including EUPeace, can uphold academic values through cooperation and responsible action.
