President Claudia Sheinbaum Calls for Austerity Measures
President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo has called upon Mexico’s public universities to embrace austerity measures in order to broaden student enrollment without compromising educational quality. The aim is to ensure no young person is left out of higher education.
During a meeting with university rectors, directors, and education authorities, Sheinbaum Pardo emphasized that “the era of power extravagance and privileges is over. We can all make a significant effort for our students, for young people, because fewer privileges mean more available spots. Is it feasible? Yes, it is. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have the numerous social welfare programs, strategic infrastructure projects, and educational access initiatives.”
She further stressed that education is the cornerstone of national transformation and reiterated her commitment to ensuring no young person is turned away due to a lack of space.
“If a young individual has passed their previous cycle, they have the right to proceed to the next cycle—it’s as simple as that,” she said.
Sheinbaum Pardo’s Call for Collaboration
The president also urged universities to collaborate with basic and secondary education institutions, working as part of an integrated educational system rather than isolated “islands.” She highlighted that education should strengthen communities and address the emotional needs of young people, urging them to listen.
“I invite you all to work together on addressing the nation’s problems. I do not mean government intervention in universities; that would never be my intention. Instead, I propose we collectively build solutions for Mexico’s vast challenges,” she stated.
Mario Delgado’s Vision for Universities
Mario Delgado, the Secretary of Education, emphasized that universities must change from within and evolve into spaces that educate for freedom, critical consciousness, and global transformation.
Delgado stressed that education should not merely be about acquiring a degree but rather viewed as a continuous learning process allowing individuals to “learn something new, change careers, or reinvent themselves.”
Saberes MX: A National Platform for Democratized Learning
Subsecretary Ricardo Villanueva Lomelí introduced Saberes MX, a project by the Secretariat of Public Education (SEP), during the same event. The platform aims to democratize knowledge and offer short learning paths with certifications for the entire population.
Villanueva Lomelí explained that Saberes MX is the first national public platform for microcredentials in life and work, with a mission to open university doors to anyone wishing to update their skills or learn new abilities, regardless of a lack of a university degree.
“We want to build a country where knowledge has no barriers. Saberes MX is not just a technical tool; it’s a social mobility instrument and an open learning ecosystem to democratize knowledge access and recognition for all skills,” he said.
The platform’s first course, starting November 17, will focus on addiction prevention, developed in collaboration with the Health Secretariat, UNAM, Tecnológico de Monterrey, and the University of Guadalajara.
Villanueva Lomelí also highlighted the need for traditional universities to transform from a system that admits young students but does not follow through, into one that supports individuals throughout their lives.
Sheinbaum Pardo concluded by inviting rectors and rectresses to join Saberes MX, aiming to bring knowledge closer to the Mexican people.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main goal of President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo’s call for austerity measures in Mexican universities? The primary objective is to expand student enrollment without compromising educational quality, ensuring no young person is left out of higher education.
- How does Mario Delgado, the Secretary of Education, envision the role of universities? Delgado believes universities should evolve into spaces that educate for freedom, critical consciousness, and global transformation, viewing education as a continuous learning process rather than merely acquiring a degree.
- What is Saberes MX and what are its objectives? Saberes MX is a national platform for microcredentials in life and work, aiming to democratize knowledge and offer short learning paths with certifications for the entire population. Its mission is to open university doors to anyone wishing to update their skills or learn new abilities, regardless of a lack of a university degree.
