Many of the assertions and diagnosis of the Spanish university system can not be shared, as the data analyzed, both by national and international bodies, has shown. This is what a document, signed by the Spanish university Principals in the CRUE, states regarding the recent statements by the Minister of Education, Culture and Sports, José Ignacio Wert.
The document also states: ‘In Spain, there is a problem, indeed, in adjusting the public resources and the results that have been obtained in teaching, research and knowledge transfer activities. However, the results are proportionally far higher than the public-sector efforts.
Regarding teaching, 79% of the students beginning a degree finally get their diploma, thus being above the average in the OECD, which is 70%. Moreover, an increase in the academic performance has been undergoing in the last years as a result of the establishment of EHEA, and despite the fact that the adaptation process has been implemented with investment resources below those of other countries.
The educational level of Spanish university students is clearly adequate. Then, it does not seem correct to relate the students’ education and the university’s effectiveness to unemployment among young people. In general, our students’ academic training is clearly satisfactory.
Regarding research, between 1997 and 2007, the Spanish scientific production increased 80%, and two thirds of these activities were carried out within the university context. These efforts have given Spain the ninth position in the world regarding scientific research. In fact, one of our universities is among the 1% of the best universities in the world; eigth Spanish universities are in the 2%; and twenty-four Spanish universities are among the 4%.
This is an outstanding result considering that Spains only invests 1.39% of its GDP in R&D activities, a considerable step away from the average of OECD, 2.3%. If we relate the scientific production per person with the R&D spending, Spain turns to be one of the four most efficient systems in the world.
Certainly, Spain does not contribute very much to the world patents in the knowledge transfer field (0.8%). Nevertheless, the percentage of patents coming from the university context in Spain is the second highest in the world.
Therefore, it does not seem correct to point out the Spanish university system as the main responsible for the little innovation in our country.
Last update: 18 de april de 2012 14:07.
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