The persistent lack of resources affecting Canarian universities has moved beyond academic and political circles, now mobilizing civil society. Both the University of La Laguna (ULL) and the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC) have the support of citizens in their urgent request for a larger budget allocation from the regional Government.
This demand aligns with the Organic Law of the University System (LOSU), which establishes the need to allocate a minimum of 1% of the regional GDP to public university education by 2030. Currently, the budget for public universities in the Canary Islands amounts to 285 million euros, representing only 0.4% of the GDP.
The citizen initiative, presented at the headquarters of the Real Sociedad Económica Amigos del País in Tenerife and Gran Canaria, stems from the conviction of academics about the crucial role of universities as a driving force for progress, social cohesion, and development of the Archipelago. This proposal materializes in a manifesto inviting all of society to join in defense of university institutions.
“"We need sufficient funds for the public Canarian universities to continue fulfilling their mission in service of all society and to remain a source of knowledge, material well-being, social justice, opportunities, inclusion, and cultural freedom at all ages."
The main objective is to promote a “social and political pact” that protects university institutions from political fluctuations. The promoters of the initiative emphasize that the demand is not only due to underfunding over the last decade but also to the “inertia of disinterest from public authorities.”
“"It is time to break the silence. Education should make us free beings capable of coexisting, and that is especially important in these times when freedom is confused with law."
During the event, testimonies from former students highlighted the importance of the public higher education system. A professor of Spanish Language at ULL and a member of the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) expressed her support, recalling that public university provided her with opportunities to achieve excellence.
Other participants, such as the director of the Cervantes Institute, stressed the importance of defending public education against the rise of “reactionary thought” which, in their view, seeks to dismantle the social contract. The director of the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands (IAC) and a professor at ULL also highlighted the collaboration between both institutions for scientific research.
To conclude, the president of the Royal Academy of Exact, Physical and Natural Sciences, intervened from Madrid to affirm that public universities are “the most important social engine we have, a treasure to be cared for, and an irreplaceable tool for ambition.” The document is available on the website https://adhesiones.uuppcc.es/ and aims to reach 5,000 signatures.
