The Minister of Universities visits the Rectorate of the ULL and previews some progress on the LOSU

The Minister of Science, Innovation and Universities Diana Morant, from the Government of Spain, visited the Rectorate of the University of La Laguna today, January 17, where she was received by the rector, Francisco García, and part of his team.

The rector, accompanied by the vice-rector of Teaching and Research Staff, Alfonso Ruiz, held a meeting with the minister, who gave them an update on some of the progress in the implementation of the Organic Law of the University System (LOSU) and the regulatory developments that remain pending, including those related to departments.
Morant pointed out that the national government has increased funding to the autonomous communities in this latest budget and that a good part of it should reach public universities.

A moment from the meeting, with the presence of the Vice-Rector for Teaching and Research Staff, on the left, and the Government Delegate.

The minister expressed strong agreement with the rector on this point regarding the necessary funding for higher education institutions so that they can meet their challenges and develop their academic and research agenda.

In this regard, both the minister and the rector agreed that the allocation of resources for the development of the new law on teaching staff is especially urgent, something particularly relevant for the University of La Laguna, given the high average age of its teaching and research staff.

Likewise, the need for special budgetary sensitivity towards the Canary Islands public universities was raised, materializing one of the specificities included in the university law itself.

The design process that the Canary Islands public universities, together with others, are carrying out in the implementation was also highlighted.

At the entrance to the Rectorate, she was also received by the university manager.

A Master's program in Volcanology is being developed for delivery on the island of La Palma. The University of La Laguna is also involved, in conjunction with the IAC, in the design of a Master's program in Astrophysics with the same objective.

There was also time in the meeting to discuss the proliferation of private centers on the island, noting that one of those currently being created does not have the ministry's approval for its implementation.