Anti-Corruption Student Network in SEE Student Union of Serbia Dragan Mihajlovic Project Coordinator Bishkek, November 2004.

Anti-Corruption Student Network Anti-Corruption Student Network in SEEin SEE

Student Union of Serbia Student Union of Serbia

Dragan MihajlovicDragan MihajlovicProject CoordinatorProject Coordinator

Bishkek, November 2004Bishkek, November 2004

ContentContent About Student Union of SerbiaAbout Student Union of Serbia Higher education in Serbia and its reformHigher education in Serbia and its reform Perception on student rolePerception on student role SUS activity in the filed of reform – projectsSUS activity in the filed of reform – projects Anti-Corruption Student Network in SEEAnti-Corruption Student Network in SEE SurveySurvey RegulationsRegulations CampaignCampaign ConclusionConclusion

About Student Union of About Student Union of SerbiaSerbia

Umbrella organization for 67 faculty and university UnionsUmbrella organization for 67 faculty and university Unions BeginningsBeginnings – – 1992 1992 Faculty of Law in BelgradeFaculty of Law in Belgrade VisionVision – – European education in European SerbiaEuropean education in European Serbia MissionMission – – struggle for higher education reformstruggle for higher education reform – – Improvement of student standardImprovement of student standard –– protection of students rights and interestsprotection of students rights and interests – – creating student pluralismcreating student pluralism From our history of struggle for society and university reformFrom our history of struggle for society and university reform - - Student protest 1996/97 and University protest 1998Student protest 1996/97 and University protest 1998 - - Anti-war campaign 1998Anti-war campaign 1998 - - Resistance movementResistance movement!! - - Campaign “Choose elections” 2000Campaign “Choose elections” 2000 - - Full membership in ESIB - The National Unions of Student in Europe, 1999The National Unions of Student in Europe, 1999

About higher education in About higher education in SerbiaSerbia

50 years of “different” society system than in Western Europe created:50 years of “different” society system than in Western Europe created:

HE system not adjusted to changes and challenges of modern European society

Period Period of society and academic isolation during 90is broughtof society and academic isolation during 90is brought::

Low competitiveness, stagnancy and inefficiency

Attack on university autonomy and on free mindAttack on university autonomy and on free mind

Repressive Law on HE in 1998.Repressive Law on HE in 1998.

About HE reform – About HE reform – obstacles & obstacles & questionsquestions

Conservative nature of universityConservative nature of university

Resistance to radical reform – fear of changes!Resistance to radical reform – fear of changes!

Lack of conscience about reformLack of conscience about reform necessitynecessity

Difficult situation for students Difficult situation for students

Cost of reform and who will fund itCost of reform and who will fund it

State - universityState - university vs. autono vs. autonomy my – – responsibility responsibility

Perception of student rolePerception of student role Political prosecution of students during 90isPolitical prosecution of students during 90is

Student pluralism does not exist, same as student Parliament Student pluralism does not exist, same as student Parliament

Student property ownership is still unresolved ! Student property ownership is still unresolved !

Perception of HE as one-way process Perception of HE as one-way process

Student opinion is one of main pillars of internal quality culture Student opinion is one of main pillars of internal quality culture

SUS aSUS acctivitivity in field of ty in field of reformreform

Students have became a partners in reform process and decision-Students have became a partners in reform process and decision-making process after year 2000making process after year 2000

SUS organized seminars and conferences:SUS organized seminars and conferences: ““Pull of the blindfold”, produced pPull of the blindfold”, produced policy paper ”Desired university”olicy paper ”Desired university” ““At the same level”, produced policy paper “University in reforms”At the same level”, produced policy paper “University in reforms” ““The teaching of the future” training seminarThe teaching of the future” training seminar

SUS participates in the creation of Law proposalSUS participates in the creation of Law proposal SUS is realizing concrete projects in field of reformSUS is realizing concrete projects in field of reform

SUS aSUS acctivitivity in field of ty in field of reformreform

In 2003 SUS General Assembly adopts the documentsIn 2003 SUS General Assembly adopts the documents

““Students and Law on higher education”Students and Law on higher education”

““SUS position on Bologna process accessionSUS position on Bologna process accession””

represents results of work in field of higher education reformrepresents results of work in field of higher education reform

represents our position in negotiations about Law on higherrepresents our position in negotiations about Law on higher education education

Concrete projects in field Concrete projects in field of reformof reform

Catalyst projectCatalyst project international seminars dealing with Bologna process issues

Analyst projectAnalyst project creation of student evaluation network within SEE

National Training Team - National Training Team - NTTNTT trainings in different fields of student organizing for students

Student opinion surveyStudent opinion survey project outcomes reflect student perception of important student issues

Anti-Corruption Student Network in Southeastern EuropeAnti-Corruption Student Network in Southeastern Europe corruption monitoring, campaigning, analysis of regulations within SEE

Anti Corruption Student Anti Corruption Student Network in SEENetwork in SEE

February 2003 – Meeting inFebruary 2003 – Meeting in Plovdiv, BulgariaPlovdiv, Bulgaria Forming the NetworkForming the Network

Bulgaria – Bulgaria – Youth Society for Peace and Development of the Balkans Croatia – Croatia – Mathematics Student Society Moldova – Moldova – Students of Invisible College Serbia – Serbia – Student Union of Serbia

Initial AimInitial Aim To gather information on corruption in education and then creating anti-

corruption campaign First phaseFirst phase

Regional survey among students on corruption in higher education Regulations collection and analysis in Serbia


GoalsGoals In In long termlong term we want to achieve: we want to achieve:

low level of corruption at the Universities in the regionlow level of corruption at the Universities in the region create transparent HE environment and its institutional and legal frameworkcreate transparent HE environment and its institutional and legal framework influence behavior and people’s values by increasing resistance and decreasing influence behavior and people’s values by increasing resistance and decreasing

willingness to participate in corruptionwillingness to participate in corruption In In short termshort term we want to: we want to:

inform and raise awareness of academic communities (students, professors and inform and raise awareness of academic communities (students, professors and administrative staff) and the general public about the level of corruptionadministrative staff) and the general public about the level of corruption

inform about and make transparent University regulationsinform about and make transparent University regulations make, propose, lobby and advocate for regulations with mechanisms for make, propose, lobby and advocate for regulations with mechanisms for

prevention of corruption (Statute Model, Code of Conduct, Student’s prevention of corruption (Statute Model, Code of Conduct, Student’s Ombudsperson)Ombudsperson)

attract students, professors and administrative staff to actively join anti-attract students, professors and administrative staff to actively join anti-corruption activities - forming coalitioncorruption activities - forming coalition

motivate students to use their rights as a way to create more transparent motivate students to use their rights as a way to create more transparent University environmentUniversity environment


Defining the problemDefining the problem Denial of its existenceDenial of its existence Corruption in education is neglected formCorruption in education is neglected form Unwillingness and no interest in solving the problemUnwillingness and no interest in solving the problem Future representatives of society are growing in rotten and Future representatives of society are growing in rotten and

devious system – no integritydevious system – no integrity Education system has broken down – it has become uselessEducation system has broken down – it has become useless Students are discontent, indolent and demotivatedStudents are discontent, indolent and demotivated

Collapse of socio-political and economical systemsCollapse of socio-political and economical systems Degradation of value systemDegradation of value system Easy way outEasy way out Vicious circleVicious circle


SurveySurvey To obtain information, opinions, attitudes and perceptions of To obtain information, opinions, attitudes and perceptions of

students as stakeholders on corruption relevant to:students as stakeholders on corruption relevant to: AdmissionAdmission

ExamsExams GradesGrades CheatingCheating AdministrationAdministration TextbooksTextbooks

Pilot survey, September 2003 – modifications of the questionnairePilot survey, September 2003 – modifications of the questionnaire Unified questionnaire with 150 variablesUnified questionnaire with 150 variables Training of interviewersTraining of interviewers The survey was conducted in November 2003The survey was conducted in November 2003 SPSS database


SamplingSampling Sample size of >1200 students Sample size of >1200 students Stratification of the sample was based on the number Stratification of the sample was based on the number

of students:of students: of university / faculty / year of studiesof university / faculty / year of studies admitted to first year / proportionally admitted to first year / proportionally

Within one stratum students were selected according Within one stratum students were selected according to established step (3 to 10) or randomlyto established step (3 to 10) or randomly

The sample was representative and diverseThe sample was representative and diverse


0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Bulgaria Croatia Moldova Serbia

Male

Female

SexSex


0

5

10

15

20

25

71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87

Bulgaria

Croatia

Moldova

Serbia

Year of birthYear of birth


0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

first second third fourth fifth sixth apsolvent

Bulgaria

Croatia

Moldova

Serbia

Year of studiesYear of studies


0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80


student

state

Tuition is paid byTuition is paid by


05

1015202530354045

Perception of students on the percentage oftheir colleagues that are illegaly admitted in

their University/faculty

Bulgaria

Croatia

Moldova

Serbia


0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

Percentage of students that have been in asituation of buying an admission exam

Bulgaria

Croatia

Moldova

Serbia


0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35


Percentage ofstudents who arewilling to be admittedillegally if theywouldn't be caught

Percentages ofstudents who havebypassed the officialselection process


0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70


Percentages ofstudents who thinkthat there is bypassedthe official selectionprocess in their faculty

Percentage ofstudents who believethat there is possibilityfor admision testscores to be illegallychanged


0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70


Percentages ofstudents who thinkthat there are illegalactivities concerningstudents ranked in theadmissions list

Percentage ofstudents who believethat there are illegalchange in the quotasof those who pay anddon’t pay


0

10

20

30

40

50

Percentage of students who think that there areadmission exams received as a part of being

tutored by a University professor

Bulgaria

Croatia

Moldova

Serbia

Perception of students on the Perception of students on the following percentages:following percentages:

0

15

30

45

60

75

90


of students who areknown to offer bribes

of professors from theirown faculty known todemand bribes

of professors fromoutside their own facultyknown to demand bribes



05

1015202530

Percentage of students willing to report ifthey hear about a corruption case

Bulgaria

Croatia

Moldova

Serbia


0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35


Percentage ofstudents who havepaid for taking anexam or receiving acertain grade

Percentage ofstudents willing tooffer money for it


0

5

10

15

Percentage of parents / guardians who approvegiving bribe

Bulgaria

Croatia

Moldova

Serbia


0

20

40

60

80

Percentage of professors in your faculty thatare abusing their right to examine openly in

order to ease or help certain students

Bulgaria

Croatia

Moldova

Serbia


0

20

40

60

80

Percentage of professors in your faculty thatmake their examinations more difficult in order

to get a bribe

Bulgaria

Croatia

Moldova

Serbia


0

20

40

60

80

100

Percentage of students who do NOT know thesanctions for professor who takes bribes

from students

Bulgaria

Croatia

Moldova

Serbia


0

20

40

60

80

100

Percentage of students who think that theINFLUENCE of a University professor wouldhelp him/her if he/she was investigated for

corruption

Bulgaria

Croatia

Moldova

Serbia


0

20

40

60

80

100

Percentage of students who consider aUniversity administrator to be a profitable job

Bulgaria

Croatia

Moldova

Serbia


0

20

40

60

80

Perception of students on the percentage oftheir colleagues living in DORMITORY who

have given bribe or done favor for that place

Bulgaria

Croatia

Moldova

Serbia

Relation year of studies / have bought textbook is that higher the year Relation year of studies / have bought textbook is that higher the year the higher the number of bought booksthe higher the number of bought books

0

10

20

30

40

50


Percentage of studentswho have bought atextbook created by theprofessor as acondition of passing anexam

Percentage of studentswho have bought sucha book directly fromproffesor



0

20

40

60

80

100

Perception of students who admit thatcheating on exams exists at their faculty

Bulgaria

Croatia

Moldova

Serbia


Opinion of students about copying at the exams

0

15

30

45

60


Acceptable

Unacceptable


0

20

40

60

80

Perception of students on the occurance ofcopying at their faculties

Bulgaria

Croatia

Moldova

Serbia

Acceptable ways of cheating:Acceptable ways of cheating: CopingCoping Cribs / ‘guns’Cribs / ‘guns’ Paper notesPaper notes Using cheat-sheetUsing cheat-sheet Looking at other’s examLooking at other’s exam All are acceptableAll are acceptable



0

15

30

45

60

75

Percentage of students who would cheat ifthey knew they wouldn't get caught

Bulgaria

Croatia

Moldova

Serbia


0

15

30

45

60

75

Percentage of students who would not feel badafter cheating

Bulgaria

Croatia

Moldova

Serbia


0

5

10

15

20


Percentage ofstudents who HAVEpaid or offered afavour to anotherstudent to take examinstead of them Percentage ofstudents who WOULDpay or offer a favour toanother student totake exam instead ofthem Percentage ofstudents who beenoffered such a service


Students' solutions to cheating

Severe punishments, more control

Improve the quality of the

classes, different

conception of education,

stimulation of students

do not know, wouldn't answer

Approximately 15% of students have never heard of cheatingApproximately 15% of students have never heard of cheating For 45% of them it is acceptable and for the additional 10% For 45% of them it is acceptable and for the additional 10%

every manner of cheating is unacceptableevery manner of cheating is unacceptable Every third student doesn’t pay attention to cheatingEvery third student doesn’t pay attention to cheating If in the position to cheat and not get caught only 1 out of 8 If in the position to cheat and not get caught only 1 out of 8

students would reject that possibility and 4 of them would students would reject that possibility and 4 of them would not feel bad after cheating! not feel bad after cheating!

Students pass the responsibility on to the professors when Students pass the responsibility on to the professors when corrupted grading is concernedcorrupted grading is concerned

84% of them think that the professors should be harshly 84% of them think that the professors should be harshly punished, but only half of them think that students should punished, but only half of them think that students should also be severely punished.also be severely punished.

Students believe that there is a higher rate of bribery in Students believe that there is a higher rate of bribery in Faculties other than theirsFaculties other than theirs

Most of students would not report illegal activities because Most of students would not report illegal activities because they feel that specific organs do not control the problem of they feel that specific organs do not control the problem of corruption in higher educationcorruption in higher education



Index of Corruption (Serbia only)Index of Corruption (Serbia only)

Average - 23.7Average - 23.7 Male - 26.2 Male - 26.2 Female - 21.5Female - 21.5

Faculty of Civil Engineering - 28.0Faculty of Civil Engineering - 28.0 Faculty of Philology / Faculty of Law - 25.0Faculty of Philology / Faculty of Law - 25.0 Faculty of Agriculture - 24.3Faculty of Agriculture - 24.3 Faculty of Medical Sciences - 23.8 Faculty of Medical Sciences - 23.8 Faculty of Philosophy - 23.5Faculty of Philosophy - 23.5 Faculty of Technical Sciences - 22.7Faculty of Technical Sciences - 22.7 Faculty of Mathematical Sciences - 22.1Faculty of Mathematical Sciences - 22.1

Year of admissionYear of admission

1997 – 27.51997 – 27.5 1998 – 26.11998 – 26.1 1999 – 23.81999 – 23.8 2000 – 22.62000 – 22.6 2001 – 23.12001 – 23.1 2002 – 24.12002 – 24.1 2003 – 22.32003 – 22.3

Tuition paid byTuition paid by

State – 22.5State – 22.5 Student – 28.3Student – 28.3


Place of stay in the town of studyPlace of stay in the town of study

Your own house – 26.7Your own house – 26.7 In rented room/apartment – 25.1In rented room/apartment – 25.1 In relatives home – 24.7In relatives home – 24.7 In parents home – 24.1In parents home – 24.1 Coming for exams – 21.2Coming for exams – 21.2 In student dormitory – 21.1 In student dormitory – 21.1

Financial stateFinancial state

Rich – 30.4Rich – 30.4 Middle class – 23.1Middle class – 23.1 Poor – 24.7Poor – 24.7


Different ways of corruption became an acceptable and normal Different ways of corruption became an acceptable and normal way of conducting affairs in all area of life, including higher way of conducting affairs in all area of life, including higher educationeducation

They do not see beyond short-come benefits and thus there is They do not see beyond short-come benefits and thus there is not very much interest and concern by the problem not very much interest and concern by the problem

Stakeholders are reluctant to change their life style – keeping Stakeholders are reluctant to change their life style – keeping the status quothe status quo



RecommendationRecommendation Only educating and pointing out the consequences of such acts Only educating and pointing out the consequences of such acts

in modern society of the 21in modern society of the 21stst century can overcome this century can overcome this problemproblem

We should not only threaten with sanctionsWe should not only threaten with sanctions Point out that in future office appointments knowledge will have Point out that in future office appointments knowledge will have

a more significant role a more significant role Cheating on exams is in that respect practically cheating on Cheating on exams is in that respect practically cheating on

oneself oneself ““Going back to the Faculties" Going back to the Faculties" Acquainting the students to their rights and duties Acquainting the students to their rights and duties


Creating campaign, lobbing and advocating for reform of higher Creating campaign, lobbing and advocating for reform of higher education by modifying and changing:education by modifying and changing: teaching methods, to become more interactive, small teaching methods, to become more interactive, small

groups and using different methods, and groups and using different methods, and examining methods to more transparent, objective, open to examining methods to more transparent, objective, open to

external control, unified for all students and professorsexternal control, unified for all students and professors

Motivating students to study and come back to establish new Motivating students to study and come back to establish new academic values and further building of civil societyacademic values and further building of civil society


RegulationsRegulations

Defining the problemDefining the problem Functioning of Faculties is constituted by their regulations: Functioning of Faculties is constituted by their regulations:

Statutes and their additional and accessory documentStatutes and their additional and accessory documentss Regulations don’t deal with newly and accustomed Regulations don’t deal with newly and accustomed

corruption-relevant specific situations, which results in corruption-relevant specific situations, which results in insecurity and instabilityinsecurity and instability

Regulations are not giving the basis for administration to Regulations are not giving the basis for administration to deal with corruption, so the problem is widely ignored, not deal with corruption, so the problem is widely ignored, not defined and mentioned in regulationsdefined and mentioned in regulations

Regulations are too general, vague, unavailable, mystifiedRegulations are too general, vague, unavailable, mystified and useless for fighting corruptionand useless for fighting corruption


GoalsGoals To collected and make regulations transparent To collected and make regulations transparent To analyze in order to determinate “weak points” To analyze in order to determinate “weak points” To write down, redefine, add and modernize, in order to fill out To write down, redefine, add and modernize, in order to fill out

the legislation vacuum, while being precise, with a unique the legislation vacuum, while being precise, with a unique form, similar content and with mechanisms of outside controlform, similar content and with mechanisms of outside control

TasksTasks Creating Regulations Database Creating Regulations Database Forming Regulation Teams Forming Regulation Teams Report on National HE Regulations AnalysisReport on National HE Regulations Analysis ““The Model of Anti-Corruption Regulations” The Model of Anti-Corruption Regulations” National implementationNational implementation


CampaignCampaign Defining the problemDefining the problem

Survey finingsSurvey finings Regulation analysisRegulation analysis

Tasks:Tasks: Create Anti-Corruption Alliance on Universities that will Create Anti-Corruption Alliance on Universities that will

perform anti-corruption activities perform anti-corruption activities Distribute strategically information on corruption in HE that Distribute strategically information on corruption in HE that

will be starting point of anti-corruption activities will be starting point of anti-corruption activities National implementation and strategy of anti-corruption National implementation and strategy of anti-corruption

coordination coordination


Principles of our approach are:Principles of our approach are: Positive Positive Optimistic Optimistic DecentralizedDecentralized TransparentTransparent Independent from political partiesIndependent from political parties Focused Focused Clear Clear Encouragement Encouragement AwarenessAwareness Promoting knowledgePromoting knowledge Reforms in HE Reforms in HE


Target groups:Target groups:

Students Students - primarily the resistant to corruption ones and - primarily the resistant to corruption ones and unaccustomed to corruption in HE – new/first – year studentsunaccustomed to corruption in HE – new/first – year students

Professors Professors Administrative staffAdministrative staff

but alsobut also Decision makers Decision makers


Joint Activities and Products Joint Activities and Products

Joint Survey Results SPSS DatabaseJoint Survey Results SPSS Database - - December, 2004December, 2004 Report on Corruption in HE on a Regional Level - Report on Corruption in HE on a Regional Level - January, 2005January, 2005 Name of Campaign, Logo and Poster Name of Campaign, Logo and Poster - - January, 2005January, 2005 Press conference - Press conference - March, 2005March, 2005 Web site - Web site - March, 2005March, 2005 Admission Exam Action -Admission Exam Action - J June, 2005une, 2005 Action of “Anti-Corruption Squad in an Exam Period” - Action of “Anti-Corruption Squad in an Exam Period” - June, 2005June, 2005 Student Orientation Manual - Student Orientation Manual - October, 2005October, 2005

Continuing lobbyingContinuing lobbying


National activitiesNational activities

Round tablesRound tables Public discussionsPublic discussions Public debatesPublic debates Street actionsStreet actions etc.etc.

Monitoring, documenting and evaluationMonitoring, documenting and evaluation


ConclusionConclusion

Survey resultsSurvey results Regulations analysisRegulations analysis Campaign – lobbyingCampaign – lobbying Corruption monitoringCorruption monitoring

Thank you for your attentionThank you for your attention

www.sus.org.yuwww.sus.org.yu [email protected]@sus.org.yu

[email protected]@gmail.com

+381 63 80 33 670+381 63 80 33 670

Anti-Corruption Student Network in SEE Student Union of Serbia Dragan Mihajlovic Project Coordinator Bishkek, November 2004.

Documents

reform process

reform higher education

field of reform sus

reform perception

field of reform students

field of reform slide

student role sus activity

reform projects sus