The government of Javier Miley In Argentina, it starred in another chapter of the budget dispute with public universities, since the University of Buenos Aires (UBA) rejects the Audit of its accounts by the General Audit Office of the Nation (Sigen) because it considers that it is an “attempt to intervene.”
“UBA, audit and principle of disclosure,” Milei published this Saturday on his X account, after another message the day before in which he had stated that “the UBA refuses to be audited. This not only reveals that the authorities are dirty, but also that things are worse” than imagined, “since the only point in hiding information is that what exists is (worse) than imagined.”
The UBA considers that Sigen does not have the powers to audit national universities, so it decided to take the controversy to Justice and make a national and international call for independent professionals to carry out a special audit of its internal control system.
The house of higher education also denounced that, “behind the accusations of lack of transparency” made by the Milei Executive, there is an “ideological attack on the very idea of a free, free, and massive university” and stated that “he wants to control academic freedom.”
The Ministry of Human Capital, which includes the Ministry of Education, had communicated this Friday that “there is no collision between university autonomy and autarky and the control competence of Sigen in the field of national universities.”
“The lack of control over the application of the significant public funds that the National State allocates to the National Universities makes it possible for these resources to be used for purposes other than those for which they were assigned,” stated Capital Humano.
The conflict continues
The conflict between the Milei Government and the public universities escalated this month with a massive march, strikes by teachers and non-teachers and with the takeover of powers throughout the country by students, in response to the president’s veto of the Law of University Financing, which updated salaries and budgets according to inflation, which in September stood at 209% year-on-year.
Civil society held two massive demonstrations so far this year in defense of the public university, on April 3 and October 2.
Milei responded that “the public, non-fee-paying university in Argentina is “not under discussion,” but rather his intention is for “them to be audited.”
The Undersecretary of University Policies, Alejandro Alvarez, recalled this Saturday in his X account that Sigen carried out an audit in 2011 on the internal control system in the degree granting circuit at the Faculty of Economic Sciences of the UBA, but that The Treasury Attorney in 2011, Carlos Zannini, “made them a tailored opinion to avoid these audits” by removing the jurisdiction of Sigen.
“We made a new ruling and we opened the door of transparency again!” stated Alvarez, since the current attorney, Rodolfo Barra, once again enabled Sigen to audit the universities.
Some 2 million people study in the 57 national universities financed by the State in Argentina, where access to public university education has been free since 1949.
#Dispute #persists #Javier #Mileis #government #public #universities
**Interview with Dr. Laura Martínez, Education Policy Expert**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us, Dr. Martínez. We’d like to discuss the recent tensions between the Argentine government, led by Javier Milei, and the University of Buenos Aires regarding the proposed audit of UBA’s finances. What are the main points of contention here?
**Dr. Martínez:** Thank you for having me. The situation is quite complex. Javier Milei’s administration argues that an audit by the General Audit Office of the Nation (Sigen) is necessary for transparency, especially given the significant public funding that universities receive. However, the UBA strongly opposes this audit, claiming it encroaches on their autonomy and academic freedom.
**Editor:** Milei has suggested that the refusal to be audited indicates misconduct at UBA. How does the university respond to these accusations?
**Dr. Martínez:** UBA has firmly rejected the notion that their refusal signifies wrongdoing. They claim that this audit attempts to undermine the principle of university autonomy, which they believe is foundational to the concept of a free and democratic educational system in Argentina. They also see this as part of a broader ideological attack on public universities.
**Editor:** The UBA intends to challenge the authority of Sigen in court. What impact do you think this legal route could have on the situation?
**Dr. Martínez:** Going to court could either escalate tensions or force a resolution through legal channels, which might bring about clearer definitions of roles and responsibilities. It’s significant that UBA is seeking independent professionals to audit their systems, indicating a willingness to clarify their financial conduct without conceding to government control.
**Editor:** What does the Ministry of Human Capital’s statement suggest about the government’s stance on university autonomy and oversight of public funds?
**Dr. Martínez:** The government seems to be positioning itself firmly in favor of oversight, arguing that without proper auditing, funds may not be used for their intended purposes. They believe this oversight does not violate university autonomy. However, the challenge lies in balancing the need for transparency with respect for academic freedom—a contentious issue in this case.
**Editor:** In your view, what are the potential implications of this conflict for public higher education in Argentina?
**Dr. Martínez:** This dispute could have lasting implications for the governance of public universities. If the government asserts greater control, it may affect funding, autonomy, and the overall mission of higher education institutions. On the other hand, if UBA prevails, it could reinforce the autonomy of public universities and possibly inspire other institutions to protect their independence against governmental interference.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Martínez, for your insights on this important issue.
**Dr. Martínez:** Thank you for the opportunity to discuss it!
Late tensions further or potentially lead to a resolution that clarifies the legal boundaries of university autonomy versus governmental oversight. If the court sides with UBA, it could reinforce their autonomy and ability to manage their finances without outside interference. However, if the court rules in favor of Sigen, it may set a precedent for more stringent oversight of public universities, which could have long-lasting implications for educational governance in Argentina.
**Editor:** We’ve seen significant public unrest surrounding this issue, including protests and strikes. What role do you think public sentiment plays in this conflict?
**Dr. Martínez:** Public sentiment is crucial in this conflict. The protests reflect a deep-seated concern among students, faculty, and supporters of public education about the future of university autonomy in Argentina. The overwhelming turnout in demonstrations signifies that many view this as a fundamental fight for the right to a free and accessible education. As public pressure continues to mount, it may force both the government and the universities to engage in more meaningful dialogue to find a compromise.
**Editor:** Lastly, considering the current inflation crisis in Argentina, how might this situation affect university funding and resources moving forward?
**Dr. Martínez:** The current inflation crisis complicates matters significantly. As universities face increasing pressure for funding, particularly to adjust salaries and maintain quality education amidst rising costs, any additional conflict over audits or funding could hinder their operations. If the government is seen as unsupportive during these challenging economic times, it may erode public trust and support for Milei’s administration. Ultimately, it’s vital for both sides to negotiate a resolution that ensures universities receive adequate funding while upholding the principles of autonomy and transparency.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Martínez, for your insights on this pressing issue in Argentine education.
**Dr. Martínez:** My pleasure. Thank you for having me.
