Funding for Canarian Universities Remains Unchanged
The President of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, announced on Tuesday during the plenary session of the autonomous parliament that the two public universities will receive €290 million in the 2026 regional budget, the same “historical” amount as in the current fiscal year.
This information was provided in response to questions from the New Canarias MP, Luis Campos, who highlighted the “devastating interventions” of the rectors of the University of La Laguna (ULL) and the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC) during the academic year opening ceremonies regarding the need for adequate funding.
Despite these concerns, Clavijo disagreed, noting that both Francisco García and Lluís Serra “expressed their gratitude” for the support from the Canary Government, the establishment of a specific ministry, and the “budgetary efforts” being made.
The rectors, Clavijo elaborated, sought a stable funding framework and reiterated his commitment to progress by 2026.
He emphasised that the investment per student amounts to €7,300, “almost €700 more than the national average,” asserting that “we are not at the back of the line but in first class.”
“We invest more” than in the Community of Madrid, Andalusia, and both Castiles, he highlighted.
Clavijo acknowledged that “more efforts” are necessary in budgetary matters, adding that investments in universities must benefit society and the economy of the islands “through knowledge transfer and objective evaluation criteria.”
Finally, the Canary President stressed that the relationship between the government and the two rectors is “excellent.”
Luis Campos (NC) reiterated that the demand from ULL and ULPGC is for a budget increase of €111 million “to come closer to the average.”
He concurred with Lluís Serra that achieving this in one fiscal year is not feasible; however, “at the very least,” he suggested a budget increase of 10%, roughly €30 million, in the next community budget.
Campos declared that the current Government of the Canary Islands “mistreats public universities while defending private ones like no other” and urged Clavijo not to limit himself to “boasting” about the creation of a specific ministry for universities that “has done nothing.”
In another instance during the plenary session, in response to ASG MP Casimiro Curbelo regarding the new degree in geometric engineering at ULPGC, Clavijo praised the “significant effort” of this academic institution and La Laguna in “connecting” knowledge generation with labour market demands.
He also recognised the role of the two public universities in promoting “critical thinking,” noting that “there is also a cognitive war aimed at indoctrinating young people in undemocratic values and social justice, and we must also fight that battle.”
