University of Carabobo reports receiving less than 1% of its operational budget

The University of Carabobo (UC) faces a dire financial crisis, having received less than 1% of its legally mandated operational budget for the year. Administrative vice-rector José Ángel Ferreira revealed that the institution has only been allocated 2 million bolivars out of a planned 992 million for functioning expenses.

This critical funding gap, representing a mere 0.2015% of the required amount, severely impacts the university's ability to maintain its extensive infrastructure and support its over 8,000 employees. The situation is so dire that research projects have received zero funding from the allocated 272 million bolivars.

While the national government directly manages personnel expenses through the Patria platform, covering 2.4 billion bolivars of the 3.7 billion bolivar budget, operational funds are critically insufficient. Even student welfare, allocated 66 million bolivars, has only seen 33% disbursed, enough to cover just two weeks of fuel for student transportation per month.

The financial strain has also crippled social protection schemes, leaving the university without active insurance policies or basic medical facilities. Ferreira urged for a consensus on prioritizing essential needs to keep the university operational amidst the economic challenges.