ELCHE. This Thursday the opening of the academic year at the Miguel Hernández University takes place (UMH) of Elche, marked more than ever by the wait for the ruling of the Superior Court of Justice of the Valencian Community (TSJCV) in reference to the degree in Medicine from the University of Alicante (U.A.). A ruling that has been delayed, and of which This week the court accepted raid presented by the Generalitat, by which it withdraws from the litigation presented by UMH. A raid that had also been appealed by the UA. The TSJ has rejected it and now both universities are awaiting the ruling. Meanwhile, the rector Juan Jose Ruiz He continues to bet on this ‘health campus’, which he sees as the “only solution” to the conflict.
As was already known, September 12 had been set for deliberation and rulingbut with the presentation of the raid the deadlines had been paralyzed and delayed. Although there has been talk from other areas that this long-awaited sentence could arrive in November.
Bet on the interuniversity campus
The UMH maintains contact with the Generalitat, but not directly with the UA, with whom the Consell is mediating, and the president Carlos Mazón directly. About this meeting, Ruiz highlights that the UA joins the concept of an interuniversity campus“but at the same time they said that the ruling would be appealed in cassation if it was unfavorable”, which he sees as contradictory. Thus, the rector understands that until the situation is clarified they cannot negotiate, but highlights that “we continue to maintain our position, our full collaboration offer since 2019 has been very generous and we continue to have it, regardless of what the trend is.”
Coordination for other degrees
In this sense, Ruiz defends that the interuniversity campus “is not a conflict”, and emphasizes that there are examples in Spain of collaboration of shared degrees, and that this does not necessarily “mean new land or new facilities; it means sharing resources”, which highlights both campuses have. And in fact it does not only talk about Medicine, since between them they have Medicine, Nursing, Physiology, Podiatry, Optics or Nutritionas listed. He understands that there are many health campus degrees “that could be coordinated and show very good synergies.” “And above all, a saving of resources for the fundamental public administration,” he adds. And he sees an interesting potential that he put on the table, in a Public dentistrysince there are none in the province.
He also adds that specific financing would not be necessary, although it is something that is always positive, he clarifies, but highlights that “only with the savings it represents, the synergies on the campus could be greatly enhanced. We continue to think that it is the best, In fact, it is the only thing that can be done, the only way out of this situation. However, regarding the rapprochement between the current rector of the UA, Amparo Navarroand the Consell on this common campus, Ruiz sees from his point of view this position as “incompatible” with a possible appeal against the UA, although he offers the availability to always speak when it is clarified.
Other examples in Spain
However, regarding the option that has already been expressed that the University of Alicante continues teaching Medicine despite a hypothetical appeal against the degree, and if it is compatible with the hypothetical ‘health campus’, “there are many shared solutions” . He argues that there is, for example, between the UPV and the UJI, or other titles totally shared by two universities, “even the academic certificates signed by the two rectors, that is another possibility, co-ownership.” Until then, he emphasizes, they are willing to collaborate.
Difficulty of sharing two curricula in a public hospital
Likewise, regarding whether the UMH would establish some type of requirements or demands for this interuniversity campus in areas such as internships, the rector emphasizes this is one of the main issues, “along with the teaching staff, which there is none, and the economic problem.” About the practices sees the most difficult thing to make a public hospital compatible“and that is why the law requires that one only be assigned to one public university,” since the problem would come from making two different study plans compatible.
“For example, we have practices starting in 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th with specific subjects. It is one thing to expand it, compatible as far as possible with a greater effort at different levels, but with two different study plans in a hospital already It is practically impossible. It is the reason for this fundamental question.” He supports, arguing in favor of the UMH’s position, that at the University of Zaragoza, where they were at the opening of the course, it has two public hospitals agreed with the public faculty “and they do not allow there to be any other university, which “They’ve been trying for years.”