AMBASSADOR HOSTS LUNCHEON FOR UNIVERSITY DIRECTORS

C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 000535

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/21/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL VE
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR HOSTS LUNCHEON FOR UNIVERSITY DIRECTORS

Classified By: Political Counselor Robert Downes for reasons 1.4 (d).

--------------
SUMMARY
--------------


1. (C) The Ambassador hosted a luncheon on February 9 for
administrators of several Venezuelan universities. In
addition to expressing their eagerness for greater
educational exchanges between Venezuelan and American
universities, representatives also expressed concern that a
proposed education law in the Venezuelan National Assembly
would force universities to relinquish their autonomy to the
government. The BRV's Law of Community Service for
University Students dictates that all university graduates
must devote one year of service to Venezuelan social
programs. Director of Universidad Monteavila Joaquin
Rodriguez Alonso said university students were concerned that
in order to fulfill the requirement, they would be assigned
to one of the BRV's social "mission" programs. End Summary.


2. (C) On February 9, The Ambassador hosted a luncheon at his
residence for directors of several Venezuelan universities.
In attendance were Benjamin Scharifker, Director of
Universidad Simon Bolivar, Rita Elena Anez, Director of
Universidad Nacional Experimental Politecnica Antonio Jose de
Sucre in Barquisimeto, Father Luis Ugalde, Director of the
Universidad Catolica Andres Bello, Jose Ignacio Moreno Leon,
Director of the Universidad Metropolitana, Luis Marin
Ramirez, Director of the Universidad Pedagogica Experimental
Libertador, Joaquin Rodriguez Alonso, Director of the
Universidad Monteavila and Professor Albinson Linares from
the Universidad Nacional Experimental del Tachira in San
Cristobal. Collectively, representatives from these
universities expressed a desire to increase the number of
English-language courses offered by their respective
universities, and the number of educational exchanges with
American universities. (Note: The Ambassador offered to push
more their way.) Scharifker said there were currently seven
students from the Universidad Simon Bolivar on exchange in
the United States, but the objective, he continued, was to
increase the number to 50 or more.


3. (C) Prior to the luncheon, Leon told Poloff that
university administrators were concerned that, if passed, the
Organic Law on Education would erode universities' autonomy.
Father Ugalde doubted the education law would advance in the
National Assembly during a Presidential election year. (Note:
Luis Acuna, President of the National Assembly's Commission
on Education said February 16 that the Commission's members
planned to visit several Venezuelan cities in the coming
months to test the waters regarding public opinion of the
proposed Education Law. The objective, he commented, was to
obtain approval for the Law before August 15.) Regardless of
whether or not the National Assembly approves the Education
Law in 2006, there was a general consensus among luncheon
attendees that the BRV would continue using funding as
leverage to coerce private and public universities to
implement its vision for education.


4. (C) Under the BRV's Law of Community Service for
University Students, graduates of both public and private
universities are required to devote one year of work to
social programs in Venezuela. University students were
concerned that in order to fulfill the requirement, they
would be assigned to one of the government's social "mission"
programs, according to Alonso. To create better alternatives
for recent and future graduates, the Ambassador suggested
university administrators consider working with local
companies that maintain a social projects budget. (Note: PAO
recently spoke with a contact at the Venezuelan-American
Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Venamcham) who said
Venamcham was working on a solution whereby university
students would also be able to complete the one-year social
responsibility requirement in local companies.)

5. (C) Comment: The Ambassador's luncheon on February 9
demonstrates a desire by administrators to fortify exchanges
between Venezuelan and American universities. There is great
worry about BRV intervention in education, especially with
the Education Law pending. If passed, it would potentially
erode the autonomy currently enjoyed by Venezuelan
universities. Undoubtedly aware of the integral role schools
and universities play in the socialization of students and
the formation of their political ideologies, Chavez is not
likely to abandon his interest in the education system.
BROWNFIELD