Canary Islands universities face funding and bureaucracy hurdles in Shanghai Ranking

The latest Shanghai Ranking (ARWU) has highlighted challenges for universities in the Canary Islands, where bureaucracy and insufficient funding are hindering scientific progress. The University of La Laguna (ULL) maintains its position at 700, while the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC) has dropped out of the top rankings.

Academic leaders note that the region's investment in R&D is approximately 0.52% of its GDP, significantly lower than Spain's 1.50% and the European Union's 2%. This contrasts sharply with the rapid rise of Chinese universities, which benefit from higher investment levels. Officials emphasize the need for the effective application of the Canary Science Law to improve research capacity and competitiveness.