Students’ Organizations
BELGRADE STUDENT ASSOCIATION
Web site: www.ssb.org.rs
E-mail: info@ssb.org.rs
Address: 4/3 Balkanska Str., 11000 Belgrade
Phone/fax number: + 381 11 3610 316
Belgrade Student Association (BSA) is an independent public organization
which started participating in public and academic life of our country as
far back as 1936. This makes it one of the oldest student organizations in
this area. During its long-lasting and rich existence, BSA kept up with both
calm and turbulent times. For decades it has been one of the torchbearers
of social avant-garde, but also a target for ideological censure and political
manipulation. Its media activity started in 1937, issuing the first student
paper in the country called Student. This activity was later extended by
starting a periodical called Vidici, as well as many other publications. There
were projects which grew into Radio Indeks and B92 radio stations, and the
only student television in the country – TV Studentski grad.
Today, BSA is a decentralized umbrella organization bringing together 45
student associations from all the faculties of the University of Belgrade,
higher vocational schools and student dormitories of the Belgrade area.
Organizing educational, cultural and sports manifestations, publishing
and taking part in the activities of higher-education and student-level
institutions, BSA meets the needs of students, representing, protecting
and improving their rights and interests. As a result of this enthusiasm all
student vice-rectors have been members of BSA. Its representatives are
often included in the managing bodies of the University as well as the
Student Centre. Additionally, being an inevitable partner in the activities
of the Ministry of Education and Sports and national bodies in charge of
higher education, BSA participates in making up relevant legal regulations
and in implementation of the Bologna process.
Through its reform-headed activities BSA both recognizes the rich heritage of domestic academic environment, and improves implementation of contemporary European achievements. Embodying all critical activities of students, BSA undoubtedly holds a special position in the tradition of our higher education.
STUDENT UNION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF BELGRADE
Web site: www.subg.org.rs
E-mail: office@subg.org.rs
Address: 15/18 Kraljice Natalije Str., 11000 Belgrade;
Phone/fax number: + 381 11 306 7741
The first Student Union was founded in 1992, at the Faculty of Law in Belgrade. Abreast of the first union founding, emerged the idea of truly independent student unionization in Serbia. Working in public, democratic procedure of choosing executive bodies and tremendous enthusiasm became the main principles of their activities. The Union was partly founded as a consequence of heavy abuse of Student Association, the only student organization of the time recognized as a partner on the part of the managing bodies of faculties, student dormitories and the authorities.
Despite the crisis in the country, student unions nourished the original
student unionization from the very beginning. The struggles for the university
independence, endangered at the time, for recognizing the electoral will of
the citizens, for improving the position of students, supplying necessary
specialist books and periodicals, were only a part of the actions taken in the
past. The activists wanted to raise the consciousness of students, encourage
the struggle for better life and education and show that they realize their
goals more easily if united.
Headquarters of the Student Union of Serbia (SUS) were in Belgrade.
Consequently, SUS was mostly concerned with the problems of students
of the University of Belgrade, the largest educational institution in the
area. Nevertheless, for the sake of better coordination and cooperation
with the University management on one hand and firmer connection with
the students on the other, the Student Union of the University of Belgrade
(SUUB) was founded in May 2002.
Today, SUUB is one of the largest student organizations operating at the
University. It takes an active part in the activities of its bodies, and through
the National Student Union (SUS) it also participates in enacting all the laws
related to students and their life.
This organization delegates its representatives to managing bodies of the
student standards institution – Students Centre Beograd, and in the rest of
institutions important for student population. Insisting on higher education
reform is among its priorities. Hence the Student Union has organized a number
of significant seminars and conferences on this subject for several years now.
Arranging all sorts of manifestations also falls under its responsibilities.
SUUB is a full member of the Student Union of Serbia, the one and only
internationally recognized student organization from our country, which
now comprises 63 local and 4 university student unions.
SUS is a full member of the largest European organization – European
Student Union, which represents the umbrella organization for 44 national
student organizations from 34 European countries.
There are 20 student unions at the higher education institutions and student
dormitories in Belgrade today.
