The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Universities, Juan Cruz Cigudosahas signed today the agreement for the launch of the ‘María Goyri Program’ in Cantabria, which will finance the incorporation of 48 doctoral assistant professors at the University of Cantabria.
Specifically, the Government of Spain will finance the hiring of 29 doctoral assistant professors and the Government of Cantabria 19 more positions, which represents an increase of more than 50% of the positions of this type of teaching staff at the University of Cantabria.
The Secretary of State has stated that “the public university plays a key role in the territory: it is a clear resource to guarantee equal opportunities, it trains local talent and produces scientific, technological and humanistic knowledge that it transfers to companies, institutions and other organizations. local”.
The agreement has also been signed by the Minister of Education, Vocational Training and Universities of the Cantabrian Government, Sergio Silva Fernandezand the Rector of the University of Cantabria, Angel Pazos Carro.
The ‘María Goyri Program’ will allow the incorporation of more than 5,600 doctoral assistant teaching positions in Spanish public universities
With the signing of this agreement, there are now 9 Autonomous Communities, including Asturias, Castilla-La Mancha, Catalonia, Navarra, the Canary Islands, Aragon, La Rioja and the Valencian Community, which have joined the implementation of this unprecedented Program , whose objective is to finance more than 5,600 positions for doctoral assistant professors in public universities throughout Spain.
Specifically, Cigudosa has specified that “the Government’s commitment to the ‘María Goyri Program’ involves financing 3,400 positions for doctoral assistant professors throughout Spain for six years, which will mean a global cost of more than 900 million euros on the part of the Executive”.
Furthermore, he explained that “this Program involves the mobilization of another 2,236 places that will be paid for by the autonomous communities, which are the ones that have the powers.”
“The Government of Spain, the Autonomous Communities and the Public Universities are working to definitively put an end to a situation of unacceptable precariousness in our universities, a consequence of a period marked by cuts and disinvestment logic that have had different impacts on the territories,” said the Secretary of State.
Likewise, he recalled that “it is the first time that a Spanish Government takes direct responsibility for the salaries of university professors and researchers, financing a competence that is transferred to the CCAA.”
What measures are being implemented to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of the María Goyri Program in the long term?
Interview with Juan Cruz Cigudosa, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Universities, and Sergio Silva Fernandez, Minister of Education, Vocational Training and Universities of the Cantabrian Government
Q: How significant is the launch of the ‘María Goyri Program’ in Cantabria and what impact do you hope it will have on the region’s higher education sector?
Juan Cruz Cigudosa: The María Goyri Program is a historic milestone in the Spanish university system, as it represents a decisive step towards overcoming the crisis of precariousness suffered by many university professors and researchers. In Cantabria, we are very pleased to be part of this initiative that will allow us to significantly increase the number of doctoral assistant professors at the University of Cantabria. This will not only strengthen research and teaching but also contribute to the economic and social development of the region. We hope that this program will attract more talented individuals to pursue their doctoral studies and encourage them to stay and work in Cantabria, thus contributing to the knowledge economy of the region.
Sergio Silva Fernandez: We share the Secretary of State’s view that the María Goyri Program is crucial for the development of higher education in Spain and especially in Cantabria. It will help us attract and retain top talent in our universities, which will ultimately benefit our society and economy. We are confident that this program will not only strengthen research and teaching but also foster innovation and entrepreneurship in the region. It is an investment in the future that we believe will pay off significantly in the long run.
Q: What role does the public university play in the territory, and how does it contribute to the overall well-being of the community?
Juan Cruz Cigudosa: The public university is a fundamental pillar of our society. It plays a key role in guaranteeing equal opportunities and training local talent, which is then used to produce scientific, technological, and humanistic knowledge that is transferred to local companies, institutions, and organizations. By providing affordable and accessible education, public universities help to reduce inequalities and promote social mobility. They also act as catalysts for economic growth and cultural development, making them vital institutions in any community.
Sergio Silva Fernandez: The
