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INPRIMATU
Government authorizes the start-up of private university Euneiz
  • The Basque Government authorises the entry into operation of the private university Euneiz, based in Vitoria-Gasteiz. Once the authorization of the Ministry of Universities of the Government of Spain was obtained, its operation would begin from the 2022-2023 course.
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The action of the Euneiz European University of Vitoria-Gasteiz has been authorized by the Basque Government. The Department of Education reports by note that the decision has been based on Royal Decree 640/2021, of 27 July, regulating the creation, recognition and authorization of universities and university centers. Furthermore, it notes that it has taken into account the report of the Quality Agency of the Basque University System Unibasq, after analysing all the information requested from the promoters of the initiative, which has been given in favour of Euneiz, as indicated in the note.

Once the Government ' s authorization has been obtained, it only lacks the last step to launch it to private university: The four titles that Euneiz intends to offer should be authorised by the Council of Universities attached to the Spanish Government’s Ministry of Universities. Pending this permission, the Government has allowed the private university to start offering four degrees in the course of 2022-2023: Degree in Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, Degree in Physiotherapy, Degree in Multimedia and Degree in Music and Sound Production in the Entertainment Industry.

The Euneiz project was presented in 2017 by the Baskonia-Alaves group of Josean Kerejeta, the directors of the research centres EUSES and ENTI, the General Deputy of Álava, Ramíro González and the Mayor of Vitoria-Gasteiz, Gorka Uraran. A university based in Vitoria-Gasteiz that will teach five degrees, one double degree and two masters in the field of sports and health sciences and new technologies, in exchange for an annual tuition of about 8,000 euros. Once known the project, unions, pupil tractors, etc. have repeatedly denounced that Euneiz is an intelligent and elitist triumph, among others.

Although the founding debate of Euneiz has been the subject of debate, last October the Basque Government passed the bill on the creation of a university, while in November the Parliament passed the law on the integration of private university into the Basque University System. In both cases, PNV, PSE, PP-C’s and Vox voted in favour, and EH Bildu and Elkarrekin Podemos IU were against.

Thus, the private university will be able to request and receive public funding, "while the funding that the public university receives annually from the CAPV budgets is not enough to guarantee a quality university education and decent working conditions for all workers", the student and union organizations have denounced. In the same vein, former rector of the UPV/EHU Iñigo Goirizelaia spoke in an interview with ARGIA: "The use of public money to finance Euneiz is unacceptable."

To delve deeper into the genesis, purposes and details of the Euneiz project, read the Denona de Bakaikoa report by Rubén Sánchez, but not for all.