Serbia reverses university work‑hour rules as Croatia faces union backlash over higher‑education law

The Serbian government annulled the 2025 amendments to university staffing regulations, restoring the previous allocation of 20 teaching hours and 20 research/artistic hours per week at universities and faculties, and 30 teaching hours with 10 research/artistic hours at academies and higher schools. The changes, introduced as a temporary measure during disrupted school years, were withdrawn after the conditions prompting them ended.

In Croatia, the umbrella trade‑union federation Matica hrvatskih sindikata condemned proposed amendments to the Law on Higher Education and Scientific Activity, arguing they undermine academic freedom, remove academic titles, and were rushed through a brief public consultation. The unions demand a thorough debate and criticize the emergency legislative procedure, claiming it favors certain individuals and disregards staff dignity.