In a statement to journalists in Braga, during the closing session of the 20th anniversary of the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), Fernando Alexandre emphasized that the decision will render higher education institutions “dependent on the government.”
“Institutions dependent on the government are institutions without autonomy, without the capacity to innovate, and without the capacity to compete internationally. I regret this, it is a historical setback and spans from left to right, to the far-right, and, hence, I am sorry because it is a terrible decision for Portuguese higher education,” he stated.
On Wednesday, during the State Budget vote, a proposal by the Socialist Party was approved to maintain the freezing of tuition fees for higher education through 2026/2027, confirmed in plenary with favorable votes from all benches except those of PSD, CDS-PP, and Liberal Initiative.
The government intended to raise undergraduate tuition fees from 697 to 710 euros and to unfreeze master’s tuition fees.
“In my view, [the dismissal of this proposal] is a wrong decision that will clearly harm our higher education system and the country’s development (…). It poses a constraint on the development of our higher education system, I have absolutely no doubts about that, and it will limit the ability of our institutions to compete internationally,” emphasized the Minister of Education today.
He reminded that Portuguese higher education institutions “have a high demand from international students” because “they are among the best globally,” but now “they will not be able to continue competing with their international rivals because they are limited” by this parliamentary decision.
He pointed out that what matters in access to higher education is social action, adding that in December the government will present a new model, with tuition fees being paid in full.
“No student is excluded from higher education because of tuition fees,” he assured.
He also stated that the main reason for difficulty in accessing higher education is not tuition fees but accommodation, noting that there is also an investment of “hundreds of millions of euros” being made in this area to provide more than 11,000 beds next year.
Regarding INL, Fernando Alexandre said it is an infrastructure that demonstrates the importance and benefits of collaboration between Portugal and Spain and has encouraged further partnerships between the two countries.
As examples, he mentioned the Atlantic Constellation, with over 20 satellites, 11 of which are on the Portuguese side, an Artificial Intelligence factory to be based in Barcelona, and a new center to be built in Cáceres, replicating the INL model.
“In this way, [collaboration between Portugal and Spain], we are able to build projects with more impact, both from a scientific and innovation perspective,” concluded Fernando Alexandre.
