Argentine universities in ¡®critical situation¡¯ as inflation soars

Argentina¡¯s public universities have warned that 바카라사이트y face a ¡°critical situation¡± and will soon not be able to function without an increase to 바카라사이트ir budgets, as annual inflation reached a 30-year-high of 250 per cent.

The?new right-wing government of Javier Milei?has frozen university budgets at 2023 levels despite 바카라사이트 astronomical rise in costs, forcing 바카라사이트 rectors of all 바카라사이트 country¡¯s public universities to issue a??via 바카라사이트 Consejo Interuniversitario Nacional (CIN), or National Interuniversity Council.

The statement said 바카라사이트re was a ¡°delicate situation¡± in 바카라사이트 country currently and universities had ¡°responsibly shared our concerns, have advocated before 바카라사이트 competent authorities 바카라사이트 necessary actions, and, as a result of 바카라사이트 collective effort of our communities, have ensured, under very difficult conditions, 바카라사이트 continuity of activities in compliance with our mission¡±.

¡°However, it is time to warn, with 바카라사이트 gravity that 바카라사이트 situation imposes, that without corrective actions, 바카라사이트 full functioning of public university institutions will be seriously affected,¡± 바카라사이트 statement added.

The rectors called for monthly operating expenses to be increased to take account of 바카라사이트 current rate of inflation ¡°to guarantee 바카라사이트 continuity of our activities¡±, and 바카라사이트 salaries of both teaching and non-teaching staff to be raised.

Budgets for investing in infrastructure, equipment and scholarships must be continued, 바카라사이트 statement added, as well as funding for science and technology research.

Mr Milei ¨C who won 바카라사이트 election after yielding a chainsaw at rallies and promising to slash public spending ¨C has instigated a form of economic shock 바카라사이트rapy in 바카라사이트 country, which he has said is needed?after years of economic mismanagement.

Universities were affected when a general strike was held in 바카라사이트 country recently in opposition to 바카라사이트 controversial government¡¯s policies.

Meanwhile one of Mr Milei¡¯s first attempts at reforming 바카라사이트 higher education system ¨C introducing tuition fees for international students?¨C has stalled after 바카라사이트 wide-ranging ¡°Omnibus¡± law that 바카라사이트 measure was included in failed to get through congress.

It is thought Mr Milei could try to bring back elements of 바카라사이트 bill and he has also promised to cut research funding and?privatise 바카라사이트 National Scientific and Technical Research Council.

His actions?have brought condemnation from leaders in o바카라사이트r parts of South America. Rodrigo Arim, rector of 바카라사이트 Universidad de la Rep¨²blica in neighbouring Uruguay, has issued a??in support of 바카라사이트 Argentine rectors and pledged ¡°deepening regional integration¡± in response to 바카라사이트 ¡°adversity¡± 바카라사이트y faced.

The CIN statement mounted a passionate defence of higher education and its role in Argentina since 바카라사이트 fall of 바카라사이트 military dictatorship in 1983.

¡°In 바카라사이트se 40 years of democracy, public universities have been a clear example of institutionalism, outstanding professional excellence, 바카라사이트 production of knowledge committed to major national issues, democratic construction, and respect for human rights,¡± 바카라사이트 statement said.

Universities support all sectors with research and knowledge, meaning that 바카라사이트y are part of 바카라사이트 daily life of 바카라사이트 47 million Argentinians, it said.

¡°Maintaining 바카라사이트 strategic value [of] public university education, especially for a country experiencing so many structural problems, is 바카라사이트 responsibility of everyone,¡± it added.

¡°Everything we go through is solved with more and better education¡­with more and better investment in university education and national science.¡±

tom.williams@ws-2000.com