Dean Dismisses Claims of University of Pristina Relocation as “Gross Lie”

The Dean of the Faculty of Law and a member of the Rector’s Collegium of the University of Pristina with temporary seat in North Mitrovica, Prof. Dr. Slobodanka Perić, has categorically rejected claims that the University is to be relocated to Novi Pazar, calling them a “gross lie” and an attempt to deliberately target the institution and provoke insecurity.

Reacting publicly to what she described as disinformation circulating in certain media outlets and on social networks, Perić said the claims were being spread by alleged “associations” that do not exist within the legal system of the Republic of Serbia.

“In light of the disinformation that has appeared in parts of the media and on social networks, disseminated by alleged ‘associations’ that have no legal standing in the Republic of Serbia, I consider it my duty to address the public,” Perić stated.

She emphasized that her response was not directed at those who “knowingly and intentionally wrote and spread these falsehoods,” but rather at the public, in order to prevent further deception and damage to the University.

Perić then unequivocally dismissed all allegations regarding a possible relocation of the University of Pristina from North Mitrovica to Novi Pazar.

“I categorically and unambiguously reject as a gross lie the claims about an alleged relocation of the University from North Mitrovica to Novi Pazar. Such a decision has never been made, nor has any discussion about relocation taken place in any institutional, formal, or informal context,” she said.

According to Perić, the University remains where it belongs.

“The University remains in Mitrovica, where it rightfully belongs—as a bastion of knowledge, free thought, and one of the pillars of the survival of the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija,” she stressed.

She further described the relocation claims as a deliberate attack on the institution and its members.

“This represents a conscious targeting of the University and its community and appears to serve those who wish neither good to the Serbian people nor to Serbian education. These are attempts to provoke unrest, insecurity, and to undermine trust in one of the most important educational institutions,” Perić warned.

The Dean also called on the media to refrain from publishing, as she reiterated, false and unverified information—particularly given what she described as their “dangerous background” and the fact that they are being disseminated anonymously, without accountability.

She added that the University would continue its work as planned, with the academic year resuming on Monday, in accordance with the law and in the interest of students, employees, and the Serbian community.

“The University will continue to operate, firmly rejecting all attempts at manipulation and disinformation,” Perić concluded.

Proaktiv Sought Clarification

Perić’s statement is the first official response since media speculation intensified in recent weeks regarding the alleged relocation of the University. It came just one day after Proaktiv, a non-formal organization of professors and associates of the University of Pristina, expressed serious concern over the claims.

In addition to warning about the potential consequences of such speculation, Proaktiv pointed out that the prolonged silence of faculty leadership and relevant state authorities had further contributed to uncertainty among the academic community and the public.

They called for urgent clarification, including from the media outlets that published the allegations, raising a key question:

“Do these claims rest on verifiable facts and official documents unavailable to the public, or are they merely rumors and speculation that further destabilize an already extremely complex situation in Kosovo and Metohija?”

Proaktiv emphasized that any relocation of the University from North Mitrovica would be unacceptable and devastating.

Dean Dismisses Claims of University of Pristina Relocation as “Gross Lie”

The Dean of the Faculty of Law and a member of the Rector’s Collegium of the University of Pristina with temporary seat in North Mitrovica, Prof. Dr. Slobodanka Perić, has categorically rejected claims that the University is to be relocated to Novi Pazar, calling them a “gross lie” and an attempt to deliberately target the institution and provoke insecurity.

Reacting publicly to what she described as disinformation circulating in certain media outlets and on social networks, Perić said the claims were being spread by alleged “associations” that do not exist within the legal system of the Republic of Serbia.

“In light of the disinformation that has appeared in parts of the media and on social networks, disseminated by alleged ‘associations’ that have no legal standing in the Republic of Serbia, I consider it my duty to address the public,” Perić stated.

She emphasized that her response was not directed at those who “knowingly and intentionally wrote and spread these falsehoods,” but rather at the public, in order to prevent further deception and damage to the University.

Perić then unequivocally dismissed all allegations regarding a possible relocation of the University of Pristina from North Mitrovica to Novi Pazar.

“I categorically and unambiguously reject as a gross lie the claims about an alleged relocation of the University from North Mitrovica to Novi Pazar. Such a decision has never been made, nor has any discussion about relocation taken place in any institutional, formal, or informal context,” she said.

According to Perić, the University remains where it belongs.

“The University remains in Mitrovica, where it rightfully belongs—as a bastion of knowledge, free thought, and one of the pillars of the survival of the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija,” she stressed.

She further described the relocation claims as a deliberate attack on the institution and its members.

“This represents a conscious targeting of the University and its community and appears to serve those who wish neither good to the Serbian people nor to Serbian education. These are attempts to provoke unrest, insecurity, and to undermine trust in one of the most important educational institutions,” Perić warned.

The Dean also called on the media to refrain from publishing, as she reiterated, false and unverified information—particularly given what she described as their “dangerous background” and the fact that they are being disseminated anonymously, without accountability.

She added that the University would continue its work as planned, with the academic year resuming on Monday, in accordance with the law and in the interest of students, employees, and the Serbian community.

“The University will continue to operate, firmly rejecting all attempts at manipulation and disinformation,” Perić concluded.

Proaktiv Sought Clarification

Perić’s statement is the first official response since media speculation intensified in recent weeks regarding the alleged relocation of the University. It came just one day after Proaktiv, a non-formal organization of professors and associates of the University of Pristina, expressed serious concern over the claims.

In addition to warning about the potential consequences of such speculation, Proaktiv pointed out that the prolonged silence of faculty leadership and relevant state authorities had further contributed to uncertainty among the academic community and the public.

They called for urgent clarification, including from the media outlets that published the allegations, raising a key question:

“Do these claims rest on verifiable facts and official documents unavailable to the public, or are they merely rumors and speculation that further destabilize an already extremely complex situation in Kosovo and Metohija?”

Proaktiv emphasized that any relocation of the University from North Mitrovica would be unacceptable and devastating.

Proaktiv Warns Against Possible Relocation of University of Pristina from North Mitrovica