The rector of the National University of Alto Uruguay (UNAU), Fernando Semczuk, considered the 2026 university budget of 4.8 billion pesos to be"extremely insufficient." He emphasized that the university he oversees faces significant challenges, such as a lack of infrastructure and the need to expand its teaching staff."I hope the veto on the University Financing Law falls tomorrow. This law could give us direction and reconfigure the entire salary budget."

Radio República Interview

The rector of the National University of Alto Uruguay (Unau), Fernando Semczuk, expressed his concern about the 2026 university budget announced by the president, which he considers insufficient to meet the needs of educational institutions.

He emphasized that the 4.8 trillion pesos amount is"simply an annualization of the current budget," with no real increase."This figure simply annualizes the investment in education, the funds being allocated to universities this year, to December 2025," he concluded.

It is worth mentioning that the amount requested by the National Interuniversity Council (CIN) is 7.3 billion, that is, almost double what Milei proposed.

He acknowledged that the budget will help the university develop a roadmap for next year, but insisted that it will not be enough to cover UNAU's basic needs.

However, he explained that the newly established faculty faces additional challenges, such as the need for more faculty and infrastructure improvements."We currently have 70% of our classroom and administrative space rented out," he explained.

"We must open the table for debate and dialogue with our legislators, and try to further strengthen everything we've been discussing, expressing the need for the education system and the healthcare system to have a budget, and then reflecting it in a budget, thus strengthening the system for the following year," he said.

I see what has been worked on in the budget and the information I receive is that there will be no financing for infrastructure, which is why, well, the universities, the large universities undoubtedly have to do maintenance on their buildings and we in the new universities have to have more classroom space, more administrative space and with the budget that is contemplated or that is being worked on for next year by the executive branch, obviously this is a project, it has to be discussed in Congress, our legislators have to discuss it, but well, this project is undoubtedly insufficient, he insisted.

Finally, he addressed what's keeping the sector on tenterhooks these days. This Wednesday, September 17, Congress will discuss Milei's veto of the University Financing Law.

"This law could give us a direction and reconfigure everything related to salaries and the university budget. Tomorrow it will be defended in Congress, and I hope that veto falls and that this law, which will help the system so much, can be enacted and regulated by the Executive Branch," he concluded expectantly.

Dollar at $1,423, inflation at 10.1%, and growth at 5% | See the full budget proposal Milei sent to Congress. https://t.co/qTEhcHu9gk