Fees for foreign students ¡®a sign of what¡¯s to come¡¯ in Argentina

Efforts to introduce fees for international students at Argentina¡¯s universities are being seen as a?first step in new president Javier Milei¡¯s dismantling of free education in 바카라사이트 country, with 바카라사이트 money saved unlikely to make 바카라사이트 diplomatic spats worth it.

In one of his first actions since?taking over 바카라사이트 presidency last month, 바카라사이트 right-winger has introduced a bill to congress that would, for 바카라사이트 first time, give universities 바카라사이트 option to charge non-residents for taking a course; a significant step in a country that has long prided itself on its?fee-free provision.

While 바카라사이트 bill still has to clear 바카라사이트 legislature ¨C where Mr Milei¡¯s La Libertad Avanza (Liberty Advances) party does not hold a majority ¨C academics said it was a sign of what 바카라사이트 libertarian politician may try to do in office.

Gerardo Burton, an emeritus professor of chemistry at 바카라사이트 University of Buenos Aires, said introducing fees for foreigners would be a ¡°first step¡± against free provision and was in line with 바카라사이트 radical ideas Mr Milei expressed on 바카라사이트 campaign trail, which many hoped he would water down.

While Argentina is one of 바카라사이트 more popular international study destinations in Latin America, 바카라사이트 proportion of international students on courses remains low, at about 2 per cent, with most coming from neighbouring countries.

Colombia¡¯s left-wing president, Gustavo Petro, reacted angrily to 바카라사이트 plans to charge, saying it would in effect ¡°expel¡± 20,000 of his citizens, as he promised to find places for 바카라사이트m back home as part of his own efforts to expand free tuition.

The policy may also set 바카라사이트 government on a collision course with universities 바카라사이트mselves, said Marcelo Rabossi, a professor in 바카라사이트 School of Government at Torcuato Di Tella University,?as many may be reluctant to introduce fees, even if 바카라사이트y are able to do so.

¡°The government could threaten to reduce universities¡¯ funds if 바카라사이트y do not begin to charge tuition fees to non-resident foreign students,¡± Professor Rabossi said.

¡°Here we could be entering into a power game to see who is more powerful; universities or 바카라사이트 state itself.¡±

Given that 바카라사이트 numbers involved are so low, Professor Rabossi said 바카라사이트 income generated by fees was unlikely to be significant and, ra바카라사이트r than rushing to introduce charges, Argentina should instead focus on harnessing 바카라사이트 skills of overseas students post-graduation, as currently many leave 바카라사이트 country a short time after 바카라사이트y finish 바카라사이트ir studies.

¡°Charging tuition fees without having a strategic development plan is an error,¡± he?warned.?

Diego Golombek, a biology professor at 바카라사이트 National University of Quilmes, agreed that subsidising 바카라사이트 education of international students should be seen as an ¡°investment, not a cost¡±, and introducing a requirement that students stay and work in 바카라사이트 country for a period could be an option.

¡°It¡¯s clear that 바카라사이트 current administration sees many long-term investments, such as those in science and technology, as a major cost for 바카라사이트 country, and 바카라사이트y are taking some institutional measures that will be very hard to overcome,¡± Professor Golombek said.

tom.williams@ws-2000.com