University of Buenos Aires Faces Power Outages Amid Budget Cuts and High Inflation

The University of Buenos Aires (UBA), Argentina's largest public university, is grappling with power outages and severe budget cuts imposed by the government of President Javier Milei as part of his austerity measures. The university, which provides free undergraduate education and runs secondary schools and public hospitals, has asked its faculties to reduce energy consumption to stretch the limited funds.

UBA is currently operating on the 2023 budget allocated in September 2022, despite an annual inflation rate of nearly 288% as of March. This has reduced the university's operational capacity by up to 40% and placed it at risk of underfunding, compromising essential functions such as education, scientific projects, and medical care for more than half a million patients per year in its hospitals. The budget for UBA's operating expenses for the current year had a cut in real terms of 80%.

Professors, medical staff, and students have protested the budget freeze, which they say is affecting the university's operations and its six university hospitals. Students are holding outdoor classes to protest the austerity measures. The protesters argue that the government's decision to extend the 2023 budget to 2024 in an inflationary context is compromising medical care at the UBA's hospital centers.

Why this matters: The budget cuts at UBA, which has produced five Nobel Prize winners and 17 presidents, highlight the impact of Argentina's economic crisis on public institutions. The situation at the country's most prestigious university raises concerns about the future of higher education and healthcare amid the government's austerity measures.

Felipe Vega Terra, the director of the UBA's Common Basic Cycle (CBC), has expressed doubts about the start of the next academic quarter, stating that it will be difficult to begin the next semester with the current "false attempts at a solution" provided by the government. The university community is planning a march on April 23rd to protest the budget cuts and demand more funding for public education. The vice-rector has expressed frustration that the country does not value the work of public universities, which are among the best in the world.

Key Takeaways

• Argentina's largest public university, UBA, faces power outages and severe budget cuts.
• UBA's 2023 budget is 80% lower in real terms, compromising education, research, and healthcare.
• Professors, staff, and students protest the budget freeze, holding outdoor classes and marches.
• The budget cuts threaten the future of higher education and healthcare at UBA, a prestigious institution.
• UBA's leadership doubts the start of the next academic quarter due to the government's "false attempts" at a solution.