University rectors voice concerns over further budget cuts

University authorities warned on Friday that their institutions would not be in a position to fulfill their role after the Education Ministry demanded that they make further cuts to their budget.

The Council of Rectors said that it received an e-mail from the ministry on Wednesday asking for the state-financed universities to produce budgets for the new financial year that would see regular operational costs reduced by 20 percent.

Having seen their funding cut repeatedly over the last few years, the rectors warned that the latest proposed reductions would hamper the universities’ work.

“Universities are already in a dramatic situation,” the rectors said. “The new cuts to their budgets will make it impossible for them to carry out their mission to serve society and the state.”