President Claudia Sheinbaum recommended the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) to implement a necessary austerity policy, after Rector Leonardo Lomelí stated that it would be necessary to increase investment to be able to increase student enrollment, as the president has suggested. In particular, the possibility of an increase to 52.5 billion pesos for the 2025 period was mentioned.
In response to the rector's statements, Sheinbaum assured that the Government will contact him to review the request. She also announced that for 2025 her administration anticipates an increase in the budget for public universities, including UNAM and the Rosario Castellanos Universities.
Regarding Sheinbaum's stance, despite the openness to dialogue, she emphasized the importance of respecting the institution's autonomy and recommended following the principle of the Fourth Transformation, opting for republican austerity, which seeks to reduce costs in the functioning of government bodies.
In the president's words: "I have said it, and with respect to university autonomy, this is something that has to be decided by the university community, but, with respect, I know my alma mater and there also have to be republican austerity programs."
