Increase font size
Decrease font size
Increase Spacing
Decrease Spacing
Grayscale
Contrast
Dyslexia Font
Enlarge Cursor
Highlight Links
Reset
Relay Center

Calendario Académico

SIMCA

Programa LVMEN

PSI

GOU PAGOS

Home New and Updates

We Are All Unicauca: let’s reflect on the financial challenges of the public un...

We Are All Unicauca: let’s reflect on the financial challenges of the public university

As part of the commemoration of the 197th anniversary of the Alma Mater of Cauca, the event We Are All Unicauca has been organized, a space to which everyone is invited to attend in order to reflect on the major challenges facing our institution, as well as all public higher education institutions in Colombia. The event will take place on Friday, December 15, at the Francisco José de Caldas Auditorium, starting at 9:30 a.m.

As part of the events commemorating the 197th anniversary of the University of Cauca, a space has been created to reflect on the financial crisis facing the country’s public universities. Since the implementation of Law 30 of 1992, the budget allocated to these institutions has increased only in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures inflation. However, this increase has not been sufficient to cover all the needs of the universities, as operational costs and demands have grown at a faster rate than this budget adjustment, generating an accumulated deficit of 18 trillion pesos among the 34 public universities in the country, making it difficult for them to meet their financial needs.

In this regard, it is essential that, as members of the Unicaucana community, and of our department, we understand the current financial situation of the University, the Alma Mater of the Cauca region. Our institution faces a budget deficit of 39 billion pesos, which could rise to 41 billion by 2027 if measures are not taken. The situation is even more serious during the current fiscal year: to close 2024, needs amounting to approximately 7.5 billion pesos could not be met, and in addition, 17.152 billion pesos are required to cover operating needs during 2025. In this context, an immediate budget addition from the Ministry of National Education is urgently needed.

“We are going to meet to reflect on and share perspectives about the underfunding affecting public universities in the country today, an issue from which the University of Cauca is not exempt. We believe that the contribution of institutional actors is very important to finding alternative solutions to this problem, which increasingly hinders our ability to fulfill our mission-driven objectives and guarantee well-being for our university community,” stated Rector Deibar René Hurtado Herrera, highlighting the importance of this space for dialogue through which collective efforts can strengthen this house of knowledge.

It is important to note that this event is led by the Office of the Rector of the University of Cauca, together with its Peace Commission, the Association of University Professors (ASPU), the Union of University Workers and Employees of Colombia (SINTRAUNICOL), the student movement Unicauca Unida, El Palenke Universitario, and the Colombian Students’ Organization (OCE).

For this reason, an invitation is extended to students, professors, administrative staff, alumni, and the broader community to actively participate in this gathering, as the University of Cauca not only impacts those who are currently directly connected to it, but also the city of Popayán, the department of Cauca, and the entire country. As one of the oldest and most renowned institutions, nearing 200 years of contribution to the nation, it is undeniable that we are #HeritageForAll, and thus supporting and strengthening the University is a collective responsibility. Only through this shared effort will we be able to find creative and meaningful solutions to the current crisis.