Rectors of public universities request a smooth transition with the new government

Through a letter, signed by the 33 rectors that make up the State University System (SUE), the educators made themselves available to the president-elect Gustavo Petro and the vice president-elect Francia Márquez, to work on the transition commission of the new government and provide their contributions in the construction of educational plans and programs.

Currently, 625,000 young Colombians are pursuing higher education studies in public institutions in the country, and it is in these institutions where 98 percent of scientific research in Colombia is carried out.

Between 2004 and 2017, public universities in Colombia increased coverage in undergraduate programs by 56 percent, but the nation's transfers remain below the higher education basket and there have been no significant investments in infrastructure.

In addition to participating in the Petro government's transition team, the university rectors asked the president-elect to support the proposed reform to Articles 86 and 87 of Law 30 of 1992, which define the financing of public universities in Colombia.

As currently defined by law, transfers to higher education institutions in Colombia are calculated based on the annual variation of the Consumer Price Index. The reform proposed by university rectors stipulates that this calculation be based on the cost of the educational basket, also defined by DANE (National Administrative Department of Statistics).

The rectors assert that, beyond the creation of new public university centers, what is needed is the strengthening of existing ones and ensuring coverage in the regions, through technologies that also allow for non-face-to-face educational curricula.

They also stated that the country should aim to strengthen careers with differential and inclusive approaches that recognize the knowledge and customs of the communities.

The letter is now in the hands of the president-elect, with whom the university rectors had already discussed these issues during the campaign. It remains to be seen whether the SUE (National System of Higher Education) will be considered by the transition team and whether the proposed reform to the financing of public higher education in Colombia will be supported by the new government.

Source: Cambio.com

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