The Minister of University, Research and Innovation, José Carlos Gómez Villamandoshas trusted that the 468 doctoral assistant teaching positions paid for in Andalusia by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities within the framework of the ‘María Goyri Program’ for the Incorporation of Teaching and Research Talent into Spanish Public Universities are increased in a second phasesince the cconsiders “insufficient” and “does not cover the real needs of Andalusian academic institutions“This was made clear during the signing of the agreement that supports the implementation of said initiative designed to meet the needs derived from the application of the Organic Law of the University System (LOSU). The document has also been signed by the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Universities, Juan Cruz Cigudosa, and the rectors of the Andalusian public university system.
Under this agreement, a total of 468 places of this contractual figure charged to state funds for a period of six years, establishing an amount of 6.52 million for the year 2024 of euros intended to finance the cost of this workforce in the period between September 1 and December 31. This amount will translate into around 21 million euros annually starting in 2025. Gómez Villamandos has highlighted thatThe ‘María Goyri Program’ also states that the Junta de Andalucía will pay more than 13.5 million annually coming from own resources the incorporation of others 306 professionals of these characteristics, adding a set of 774 doctor assistants for the community. “This is an understaffing compared to other communities that will not allow the Andalusian campuses to meet the demands for teaching dedication established by the LOSU, despite the fact that the Board and the universities themselves have made it known. of the Ministry on repeated occasions and, even, through letters sent to Minister Morant”, he added.
The signed agreement also contemplates that Andalusia, like the rest of the autonomies, takes charge of the stabilization of all these teachers throughout their working life. Therefore, as the head of the University has clarified, “this double responsibility attributed to the territories will imply that the communities will have to assume a significant extra cost for their coffers with a contribution greater than the amount that the central Government will pay in salaries for only six years “. In this context, he also wanted to remember that this investment effort will be especially “expensive” for Andalusia, which has the largest public university system in the country and “suffers from underfinancing by the State of more than 1,500 million euros annually.” , despite which it continues to be the region that allocates the most resources to higher education in relation to its GDP”.
In order to activate compliance with the signed agreement as soon as possible, the University Department will ask the rectors for information on the teaching staff incorporated into their staff this academic year 2024/2025 in the category of doctoral assistant, “with the aim of thus guaranteeing the application effective of the 6.52 million planned by the Ministry of Science for this year 2024, given the dates that they are”.
In any case, Gómez Villamandos wanted to emphasize that, apart from this agreement, “from the Government of Juanma Moreno In recent years, it has been supporting teaching and research careers in public universities, “setting as priorities the stabilization of these professionals and the generational change, two essential factors for the retention and acquisition of talent.” Precisely, he has added that the future Universities Law for Andalusia (LUPA) that the Board processes also contemplates these objectives in its articles, creating new figures such as assistant professors, doctor assistants with clinical links to the Public Health System of Andalusia or recovering the contracted doctor. “All profiles will result in the quality and improvement of our universities,” he stated. Likewise, he pointed out that the Law for the Advancement of Science, Technology and Innovation in Andalusia (ACTIVA) will also pay special attention to this stabilization.
Distribution of the 468 places financed by the Ministry of Science
The agreement signed by the University counselor contemplates for the University of Almeria the hiring of 16 doctor assistants with an allocation for 2024 of 223,105 euros, for the University of Cadiz 30 places with an amount of 418,321 euros, and for the University of Córdoba49 profiles and 683,258 euros.
For its part, for the University of Granada 58 doctor assistants have been approved with an amount of 808,755 euros, for the University of Huelvathe additional staff to be incorporated amounts to 32 with a cost of 446,210 euros, for the University of Jaenthe item is 20 to cover 278,881 teachers in this category. Likewise, the University of Malaga has 84 professionals assigned with a budget of 1.17 million euros, the Pablo de Olavide University49 doctor assistants and 683,258 euros and the University of Seville130 with an amount of 1.81 million euros.
, this initiative aligns with our broader strategy to enhance the overall academic environment in Andalusia, making it a more attractive destination for international scholars.
Interviewer: Good morning and welcome to World Today News. Today, we have with us two esteemed guests to discuss the recent announcement by the Ministry of University, Research and Innovation regarding the expansion of doctoral assistant teaching positions in Andalusia. Firstly, let’s welcome Mr. José Carlos Gómez Villamandos, Minister of University, Research and Innovation, and Dr. Juan Cruz Cigudosa, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Universities. Thank you both for joining us today.
Interview with the Minister of University, Research and Innovation, José Carlos Gómez Villamandos:
Interviewer: Minister Gómez Villamandos, could you please elaborate on the details of the agreement signed to increase the number of doctoral assistant teaching positions in Andalusia? What are the specific objectives outlined in this agreement, and how will they benefit Andalusian academic institutions?
Minister Gómez Villamandos: Thank you for having us. The primary objective of this agreement is to support the implementation of the ‘María Goyri Program’ for the Incorporation of Teaching and Research Talent into Spanish Public Universities, which aims to meet the demands derived from the application of the Organic Law of the University System (LOSU). The agreement seeks to increase the number of doctoral assistant teaching positions in Andalusia, as the current allocation of 468 positions by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities is deemed insufficient by the Junta de Andalucía. We have signed this agreement to show our commitment to the development of higher education in the region, and to ensure that Andalusian universities are well-equipped to meet the teaching requirements outlined in the LOSU.
Interviewer: That’s informative. And can you tell us more about the importance of this program for retaining and attracting talented researchers and teachers to Andalusian universities?
Minister Gómez Villamandos: Of course. The program is crucial in ensuring that our universities can compete globally and retain top talent. By investing in these positions, we are not only providing job opportunities for highly qualified individuals but also ensuring that our universities can continue to produce groundbreaking research and provide high-quality education to our students. Additionally
