SPLIT UNIVERSITY SENATE OKAYS DECISION ON POLYTECHNIC'S INTEGRATION

SPLIT, Oct 29 (Hina) - The Senate of Split University on Tuesday endorsed a decision on integrating Split Polytechnic into Split University in compliance with the government's decree on the issue. #L# The decision was adopted by a majority of 20 Senate members at a four-hour session last night in the Adriatic city of Split. University Rector Ivan Pavic told reporters that this was an interim decision, and the university would propose the set-up of a polytechnic as an independent institution by 2010, when universities will be able to have vocational courses under the new law on tertiary education. By then, the incorporated polytechnic will function as the vocational courses department within Split University. In the meantime the Senate of the University will propose an operational plan and organisation of the courses to the government, Pavic added. He confirmed that the university would take over all students enrolled at the polytechnic as well as all lecturers and staff and property. Split Polytechnic students who attend classes in other cities where this institution has its departments will for the time being have the same status as Split University students. There is a possibility that they will be taken over by other universities in the country. Science Minister Gvozden Flego, who attended the Senate's session on Tuesday evening, said he had arrived in Split to present reasons for the government's decree. He voiced satisfaction with the Senate's decision, because it had been adopted in accordance with the law. Asked what would happen with the polytechnic's dean, Boris Anzulovic, Flego said that his position ceased to exist with the date of the adoption of the decree (23 October). During the Senate's session, some 200 students of the polytechnic gathered in front of its offices holding a peaceful protest rally. As soon as they were told about the decision, they started booing and after some time dispersed peacefully. A leader of discontented students, Maja Cvitan, said the students were outraged at the decision, and would continue with the strike they commenced on Monday until their demand on rescinding the government's decision was not met. (hina) ms