Universidad Pablo de Olavide opening suspended due to student protests

The official opening of the academic year at the Universidad Pablo de Olavide in Seville was suspended due to student protests. Demonstrators interrupted the event to protest against the perceived underfunding of public universities by the Junta de Andalucía.

During the ceremony, students shouted slogans such as “How am I going to study if I cannot pay for it?” and accused the regional government of planned underfunding and intentional privatization of education. The protests prevented Jorge Paradela, the Counselor for Universities, and the university rector, Francisco Oliva, from delivering their scheduled speeches.

Students issued a statement claiming that the regional government is “silently killing” public universities and demanded that the rectorate take a stand against the treatment of the educational community. The rector requested silence and respect for the speakers, warning that disciplinary measures might be taken, but the interruptions continued until the act was called off.