MEC: Capes guarantees 90% of the funding for postgraduate studies in 2015
The Ministry of Education announced on Saturday night (11) that the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (Capes) guarantees that 90% of the funds allocated to postgraduate programs in 2015, equivalent to R$ 1,65 billion, will be maintained; the Ministry of Education also says that no scholarships will be interrupted; the statement was released after federal universities stated that the cut was 75%; on his Facebook profile, the Minister of Education, Renato Janine Ribeiro, stated that Capes will maintain the payment of 100% of scholarships for master's and doctoral students and that, although the situation is not ideal, there is no justification for panic or alarm.
247 - The Ministry of Education announced, on Saturday night (11), that the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (Capes) guarantees that 90% of the funds allocated to postgraduate programs in 2015, equivalent to R$ 1,65 billion, will be maintained. In a statement, the MEC also says that no scholarships will be interrupted.
The statement was released after federal universities criticized CAPES' announcement of reduced funding for the institutions. On its website, the Federal University of Bahia (UFBA) stated that it had been informed that the expected amount for its postgraduate programs would be R$ 4,2 million, but that it had received news from CAPES that the amount had been reduced to R$ 1 million, a reduction of approximately 75%.
At the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), a statement affirms that the institution's University Council (Consuni) approved a motion defending graduate programs, stating that the budget cuts are "unacceptable."
"The announcement of cuts to 75% of the aforementioned programs jeopardizes the work of many generations dedicated to organizing postgraduate studies and irreparably affects each of the postgraduate programs at UFRJ and other public universities. This unacceptable cut becomes even more serious when placed within the broader context of budget cuts at federal universities and the contingencies of previous fiscal years," said the University Council (Consuni).
In his personal Facebook profile, the Minister of Education, Renato Janine Ribeiro, stated that CAPES (Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel) will maintain 100% of the scholarship payments for master's and doctoral students and that, although the situation is not ideal, there is no reason for panic or alarm. "The programs will continue to be able to accept new students and provide them with scholarships. Where there is a reduction is in operating costs," he stated, noting that, in addition to the CAPES funding, each university has its own budget.
He reminded everyone that CAPES maintains 90% of the planned resources and that there may be increases "when the economy improves." "And this, at a time of economic and tax collection difficulties. If the situation is not ideal, that doesn't justify panic or alarm," said Janine.
Read the full text of the MEC (Ministry of Education) statement:
"The Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) guarantees the transfer of 1,65 billion reais to its postgraduate programs (Proex, Prosup, Reuni and Proap). This amount is equivalent to 90% of the value foreseen for 2015. The Ministry of Education and CAPES emphasize their commitment to postgraduate studies and scientific research. We also emphasize that no scholarships will be interrupted."