Higher Education Entrance Examination in National Minority Languages in Vojvodina, Namely, Whether the University Autonomy May Be Extended at the Expense of the Provincial Autonomy and Vice Versa

Abstract

The paper examines the normative background of higher education entrance examination in national minority languages in the AP of Vojvodina through analysis of a relatively fresh case study in which a students’ association has filed a suit against the Faculty of Law in Novi Sad for rejection of organising entrance examination in the Hungarian language, despite of the relevant bylaws of the autonomous province. Although the Court of Appeal has confirmed discrimination based on language committed by the mentioned higher education institution, interesting issues have arisen during the proceeding concerning the scope of university autonomy, normative competences of the autonomous province and enforcement of supplementary national minority rights. Considering the valid legal rules of Serbia and its province, Vojvodina, and the (constitutional) court practice in the country the paper presents various aspects of these issues that have remained unsolved up to this day.