An exhaustive analysis of the higher education financing system and its necessary modifications, as well as an enriching dialogue with the Undersecretary of Higher Education, Víctor Orellana, marked a new work session of the Consortium of Universities of the State of Chile (CUECH), which It was hosted by the University of La Frontera and its Pucón Campus.

The highest authorities of the 18 study houses that make up CUECH met in the lake area of ​​La Araucanía to establish strategic definitions for the period 2024-2026, where financing is the central focus of the lines of work to be carried out. develop in the next two years.

“2024 is seen as a challenging year, regulatory changes and some changes in financing to the higher education system in general and the State university system in particular have been announced; Therefore, this meeting has top priority because it allows us to identify what will be the key issues that we will have to face this year,” said the president of CUECH and Rector of the University of Valparaíso, Osvaldo Corrales.

The president of CUECH highlighted the importance of the dialogue established with the Undersecretary of Higher Education, Víctor Orellana, where the commitment that the Government has in particular with public education was reaffirmed. “He has made important announcements to us such as the modernization of State universities, which will allow us to overcome some bureaucratic obstacles and also rethink part of what financing is. For several decades we have been advocating that public education be financed with a larger proportion of basal resources and not as is currently the case in relation to demand subsidies."

For his part, the Rector of the University of La Frontera, Eduardo Hebel Weiss, indicated that the topics discussed in this session are of great relevance when defining how state universities are going to adjust to the new indications regarding financing. such as the Direct Tax Contribution, gratuity, the CAE, among others. “These are complex and sensitive issues that affect the financing of universities. What interests us most is that universities have all the resources to execute all their projects and programs. "We are very optimistic with the results of the meeting with the Undersecretary of Higher Education, since we see concrete solutions for public universities that will always be important in the development of a region and the country."

Marisol Durán Santis, Rector of the Metropolitan Technological University, said that the session held at the Pucón Campus of the UFRO is one of the most relevant planning and strategic development guidelines that the state universities will take this year. “One of the points we have on the table has to do with the strategic guidelines and the vision and mission of CUECH, and also with the financing system. I believe that this is one of the great debts that the State has with its universities and we want to address it with a serious and responsible analysis.”

The CUECH session will last until March 12. On its final day, a workshop on strategic definitions and analysis of the mission, vision, objectives and its strategic guidelines for the period 2024-2026 is contemplated.

Source: UFRO