Insufficient Government Funding Hike Sparks Concern among Universities
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Loading... - elliot emillia
- 09 Jun 2023
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Swiss universities have expressed dissatisfaction with the government's proposed annual increase of 2% in education and research funding for the period 2025-2028, stating that it will likely be negated by an anticipated surge in prices.
Luciana Vaccaro, the president of Swiss universities, the umbrella organization representing Swiss universities, conveyed her apprehension in an interview with Le Temps newspaper published on Saturday. She warned that there is a real possibility of universities facing resource stagnation or even a reduction in their actual funding during this period.
Vaccaro emphasized that Swiss universities are expecting a surge in student enrollment in the coming years. She argued that the funding suggested by the Federal Council will unavoidably undermine the quality of teaching and research. The government has allocated a budget of CHF29.7 billion ($32.6 billion) for education, research, and innovation for the 2025-2028 timeframe.
On Friday, a consultation process on the government's proposals was initiated, with concerned stakeholders given until September 24 to provide feedback. The plan will subsequently be presented to parliament.
In a press release issued on Friday, the government outlined its plan with the aim of ensuring that "Switzerland retains its leadership position in education, research, and innovation."
The government intends to tackle significant challenges in the sector during the 2025-2028 period. This includes offering steadfast support to the cantons for vocational education and training, professional education, and higher education, in order to meet the demand for skilled workers in the labor market.
The press release also highlights a substantial increase in funding for the ETH Domain (federal institutes of technology). Additionally, the government places importance on continuing education and training as a means to promote lifelong learning.
