The Rector of the UB demands trust in the university as a national body from politicians and society
Yesterdayʼs morning, the rector of the University of Barcelona, Dídac Ramírez, demanded “a national university policy” that breaks budget restrictions imposed for the last years and enables the university to lead a pioneering country. Ramírez participated in the colloquium Primera Plana, organised by the newspaper El Periódico de Catalunya and the financial organization Banc Sabadell. The Rector pronounced the lecture “La universitat, una qüestió dʼestat” in front of an audience composed by outstanding representatives of the political, business and social sectors.
Yesterdayʼs morning, the rector of the University of Barcelona, Dídac Ramírez, demanded “a national university policy” that breaks budget restrictions imposed for the last years and enables the university to lead a pioneering country. Ramírez participated in the colloquium Primera Plana, organised by the newspaper El Periódico de Catalunya and the financial organization Banc Sabadell. The Rector pronounced the lecture “La universitat, una qüestió dʼestat” in front of an audience composed by outstanding representatives of the political, business and social sectors.
“Is there any point in desiring to create an ambitious country if public university, leader in the global university system, does not have the resources it needs to be developed?”, asked the Rector Ramírez, who emphasized “the university is a national question” that must be prioritized. Projects like the new knowledge and innovation community in health of the European Union, headquartered in Barcelona, the programme RIS3 and the campus of international excellence are great opportunities which “could not be profited if social and business trust as well as public and political support” do not fit the real situation.
The Rector Dídac Ramírez stressed that policies concerning university fees and scholarships, public funding and territory, the reform of governance and the social dimension of university are national questions. In short, “higher education must be a priority”. Ramírez was critical with the fact that ideologies and economic circumstances determine policies. In the United States, for instance, there is a 20% rate of non-payment of fees. The Rector regretted that countries like Spain invest less than 0.73% of its GDP in universities, whereas pioneering countries have invested more than 1% for the last years. He described the situation of the university as “severe and worrying, probably one of the worst throughout its history”. University funding has fallen 30% and investment 75%. If this situation persists, “our future is in danger”, warned the Rector.
Concerning governance, the Rector demanded a reform accompanied by the strengthening of universities autonomy and responsibility. He emphasized that the reform must enable centres to improve their international position. Ramírez asked politicians “to protect the university” and be aware of the important role that science and innovation play in competitiveness, growth and prosperity. Moreover, he alerted that university cannot always depend on competitiveness, and he highlighted the relevance of social sciences and humanities.
The Rector closed his speech affirming that one of the goals of the UB is to achieve the target of being a country with a university in the top 100 worldwide higher education institutions. Thus, it is necessary that society and politicians realize that university is a national question and believe in it. University autonomy within a framework of responsibility and enough funding are two key aspects that will allow the university developing its role as driver of the country.
Dídac Ramírez gave some data showing that the UB is the most outstanding university in our country. He made clear that the lack of a national university policy can lead to the loss of university heritage. He requested politicians and the university community to take care of institutions, which are key agents to “build a leading country, a solid economy and educated citizens”. “Catalonia needs strong institutions; so, the university, which is crucial to understand our country, must be strengthened, not weakened”, concluded the Rector.