Rectors and representatives of self-financed institutions of Higher Education met at UEES to discuss proposed changes to the current Organic Law of Higher Education (LOES).
The purpose of this workshop was to present the reform proposals to the assembly members that make up the Education, Culture, Science and Technology Commission (Ceccyt), an event that took place at the Convention Center of the Espiritu Santo University, with a full auditorium.
Dr. Joaquín Hernández Alvarado, UEES Rector, opened the event, highlighting the importance of the role of universities in our country: “With universities everything, without universities nothing. We must preserve the mission, vision and principles in university diversity,” he said.
During the meeting, the President of Ceccyt, Augusto Espinosa, made comments, corrections and suggestions to several points that were addressed in the reform proposal.
“Today, we have an open door for dialogue. We are willing to discuss the various issues that concern education, said Espinosa.
Among the main topics discussed was the need to establish greater autonomy and less hyper-regulation of universities, as requested by the members of the Assembly Commission.
«From zero regulation, we went to hyper-regulation in Higher Education, this is a problem that compromises the vision of democracy and progress in the country,» said Dr. Carlos Ortega Maldonado, Chancellor of UEES.
On the other hand, the rector of the Universidad de las Américas, Carlos Larreátegui, pointed out the need to include self-financed universities in a special chapter of the current law: «The LOES does not dedicate a single article to self-financed universities, despite the fact that we provide education to half of the higher education system. This reform is necessary».
The President of the Commission thanked for the proposals and stated that what was discussed during the workshop will be used for the debate in the plenary. It is estimated that the LOES reform project will be approved in November.
