The Lehendakari presents the University System Plan 2023-2026

• Presented together with the rectors of the UPV/EHU, University of Deusto and Mondragon Unibertsitatea, it is “a pact between government, universities, agents and society”
• The plan will mobilise an investment of 2,246.2 million euros during its term, which represents an increase of 14.5% compared to the previous plan
• The Basque University System Plan is the fundamental tool for defining the objectives and a coordinated university policy for the Basque University System

The Lehendakari, Iñigo Urkullu, together with the rectors of the UPV/EHU, University of Deusto and Mondragon Unibertsitatea, presented the University System Plan 2023-2026, “a pact between government, universities, agents and society”. According to Urkullu, collaboration is an essential way to advance as a society and this Plan is based on this premise: “We share a diagnosis, we have defined a road map, and this Plan is the best guarantee for tackling the future challenges that we face together.”

The plan, approved this morning in the Governing Council, is the specific instrument recognised by the Government for the organisation of the Basque University System; a tool through which to define university policies, identify objectives and coordinate the different agents that make up the Basque University Ecosystem. A plan that is also aligned with the United Nations 2030 Agenda, and committed to its Sustainable Development Goals in favour of a prosperous society, with equal rights and opportunities, as well as respectful of the environment.

In this regard, the Lehendakari highlighted the collaboration between the General Secretariat for Social Transition and Agenda 2030, the Vice-Ministry of Universities and Research and the three universities, which has resulted in the creation of an inter-university degree in strategic integration, monitoring and communication of Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals, which will offer 35 places for the 2023-2024 academic year. This is the first time that the three universities have offered a joint and coordinated postgraduate programme.

All advanced countries aspires to have a university system of excellence to support them. That is why the Basque Government, through the Vice-Ministry of Universities and Research of the Department of Education, has established the strategic bases of evolution for the next four years by means of this plan.

The University System Plan 2023-2026 envisages a total investment of 2.25 billion euros, an increase of 14.5% compared to the previous plan and the largest funding ever made in the university sector. Of these, 1.64 billion correspond to a direct contribution from the Basque Government (+231 million), while 603.8 million will be provided through competitive public funding, income under contract, international funding and the universities’ own resources.

Following the approval of the plan, the Department of Education will begin to develop the different areas included in the University Plan 2023-2026, with the aim of achieving the same degree of fulfilment of objectives and budget execution as the current plan at its conclusion. Always with the aim of promoting an excellent education system that responds to the needs and challenges of Basque society.