Spain's public universities face 20% EU funding gap

Spain’s public universities are funded 20% below the European Union average, university leaders say, as they demand a new national funding deal. Julián Garde, president of the Conference of Rectors of Spanish Universities (CRUE), made the call on 24 September 2026 at the opening of the academic year at the Polytechnic University of Cartagena in Cartagena, Murcia. The event was held under the presidency of King Felipe VI.

Push for a binding funding deal

Garde wants Spain’s government and its autonomous communities to agree a framework for financing public universities. He pointed to a target in the Organic Law on the University System: at least 1% of gross domestic product should go to public higher education by 2030.

He also warned that Spain has not created a new public university for almost two decades. Places on courses with high demand have not increased enough, he said, calling this a failure of equal opportunity.

The CRUE chief contrasted the funding gap with universities’ contribution to the country. University campuses carry out 80% of Spain’s national research, he said, while Spain ranks sixth worldwide for the number of institutions listed in the Shanghai Ranking.

Warning over AI in the classroom

Mathieu Kessler, rector of the Polytechnic University of Cartagena, urged universities to ensure new technology is used constructively as artificial intelligence spreads. He warned against replacing human knowledge with digital automation and handing education over to automated systems.

“Training that removes difficulty, avoids friction and resistance, and hands over to automation what the individual should actively go through is not training,” Kessler said. He said universities must remain places that teach people how to do, live and think.

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com