University leaders call for increased Ibero-American cooperation

Julián Garde, president of the Conference of Rectors of Spanish Universities (CRUE) and rector of the University of Castilla-La Mancha, has advocated for strengthened Ibero-American university cooperation. Speaking at the II Ibero-American Ministerial Conference in Alicante, Garde emphasized the need for shared instruments to promote academic mobility and the recognition of studies.

Garde highlighted the transition of universities from “islands of knowledge to cooperation networks” and called for the consolidation of the Ibero-American Knowledge Space. He expressed concern regarding changes in Spanish immigration regulations affecting non-EU doctoral students, noting that administrative complications contradict the goal of fostering mobility.

In Aragua, Venezuela, regional authorities and the rector of the Universidad Nacional Experimental ‘Simón Rodríguez’ (Unesr) met to coordinate the II University Popular Consultation. The initiative aims to empower the academic community in decision-making and project prioritization, alongside ongoing infrastructure improvements coordinated with the Ministry of Public Works.