President Uribe Talks about the Law 30 on Scientific Research

One of the most recent debates on budget goes between Public University and Government. "I"m not against the fact that the Government recognizes that the results of universities such as the Universidad Nacional de Colombia have provided greater results than the provided budget," he declared. President Uribe applauds this fact, as well as the good employment of public founds.

In addition, he pointed out that the Public University has grown very much, not only in coverage, but in prestige. "The university is not questioned anymore. Before they said it was a waste of money. This is not true because now we see a better management of the resources. The prestige also increases," he said.

Regarding the amendment to the Law 30, he stated that this respects the university autonomy, principle of academic and scientific freedom. "Our proposal" More budget to strength the Colombian Public University," pointed out the President. However, he accepted that the amendment"s proposal was not made completely in accord with the universities, even if he declared that that they agreed in some points.

Another subject of debate on education is the expansion of the research budget in order to increase its production. Today there is a disagreement regarding the Science and Technology Law, on its application and on the real destination of the resources. "This year, during the restriction of resources due to fiscal difficulties, the Science and Technology Law allowed Colciencias to have a record budget," said the President.

He added that even if Colombia is subject to critics because the resources for science are very low, we have to keep in mind the great productivity of low budget researches.

Amid all the challenges and debates, the President sent a message to the new generations. "Today we are reunited to analyze the education in Colombia and I would like to recall something that the former President Alberto Lleras said regarding López Pumarejo: he had revolutionary ideas and was the most implacable enemy of chaos. When we remember Alfonso López Pumarejo, we think of this huge possibility for the Country to make progresses in security, which is the opposite of chaos, and to advance in the educational revolution, which is Democracy"s path."