Internet schooling in Serbia

Distance learning via the internet has been implemented at Serbian universities this year as well. The new Higher Education Law has included distance learning as a medium of viable study programs. However, in the recent experiences from experimental programs with such modes of learning at the Economics and Organizational Education Universities, it has been seen that these types of course have encounter setbacks typical of the Balkans.

Because of a great deal of interest and a minimal capacity, the Economics University decided to offer the distance learning program three years ago, to assuage the problems of having too many students in its classes. For a price of 52,000 dinars (about 620 euros), online students were able to receive all the needed literature through an internet page where all the materials and exercises were available, and could be in constant contact with the professors. Administrator of the distance learning program at the Economic University, Branislav Boricic, said that even if the online students have the opportunity to study in the same manner as regular students, they are subjected to a number of prejudices.

According to Boricic, distance learning students are often looked at as night school or part-time students by both the professors and other students.

The diploma which online students receive at the completion of their studies is, however, no different from the one given to regular students. Education Ministry advisor Emilija Stankovic said that this is just another form of studying, which will, according to the new law, have to pass the process of accreditation by the ministry just as all other university programs must.

The online program at the Economics University has been brought into accordance with distance learning standards which have long existed in western countries, in which this mode of education is mostly used by those who are already employed and do not have the option of attending classes during the day, but nevertheless wish to continue their education. Here, however, distance learning programs see enrolment mostly from those who did not manage to receive any form of scholarships for their studies. When online students finish their first year of studies, they, on most occasions, choose to become regular students afterwards.

The difference between distance learning programs here and abroad lies in the way in which exams are taken. While in most countries the exams are taken online, in Serbia the student must be physically present at the time that the exams are given. Professor Boricic said that the problem lies within the mentality of the students and the methods of studying, not only in Serbia, but in the Balkans in general. While students in the West believe that if they cheat on an exam, they are cheating themselves, because they will not be useful on the job market later if they do not have the proper training, here it is hard to imagine that a student would not allow perhaps a family member to take their online exam for them, Boricic said.

The development of the internet and distance learning has enabled students here to receive a diploma from a foreign university without leaving Serbia as well. For those foreign universities that do not offer online exams, the exams are organized in various cultural centres. For now, exams for these situations are being organized in the British, French and Italian cultural centres in Belgrade.