The Center for Civic Education (CCE) has submitted an initiative to the Governing Board and Senate of the University of Montenegro (UCG) for amendments to the Statute, Code of Ethics and accompanying acts, with the aim of preventing conflicts of interest and strengthening academic integrity, the non-governmental organization (NGO) announced.
The CCE said that the current normative framework of the University of Montenegro regulates conflict of interest in a fragmentary and insufficiently precise manner, without clear definitions, reporting obligations, exemption procedures and responsibilities.
"In practice, this means ad hoc decision-making, uneven standards and an increased risk of bias," said CCE.
They said that they were particularly concerned about the controversial practices of assigning teaching positions, decision-making within family and other close relationships, and the emergence of "hereditary chairs."
"We would like to remind you that in 2020, the University of Montenegro received the HR Excellence in Research logo, with the obligation to implement the OTM-R principle (open, transparent and merit-based recruitment)," CCE stated on the X network.
However, as they said, practice shows that a significant part of these standards have not been implemented, and that the self-assessment of compliance with OTM-R contains serious inconsistencies.
"CCE proposes, among other things, a clear definition of the circle of related persons, mandatory reporting of conflicts of interest and exemption from decision-making, a ban on line management among close associates, the introduction of risk management plans, and harmonization with European standards and practices," the NGOs stated.
As they pointed out, academic integrity and trust in university procedures are not a formality, but the foundation of the university's credibility and public interest.
"Therefore, CCE expects the Governing Board and Senate of the University of Montenegro to consider this initiative as a priority and transparently inform the public about the next steps," said the NGO.
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