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Peru Congress Approves 22 New Public Universities

Critics question feasibility, citing unfunded plans, licensing hurdles, long timelines.

Overview

  • The plenary vote on September 17 authorized 22 national institutions across 15 regions, including separate bills for Huaycán in Lima, Huaral, and Kimbiri in Cusco.
  • The Executive warned the measures would create a growing fiscal burden without assured financing, a concern echoed by former education officials.
  • Analysts describe the wave as politically driven before elections and say many of the new campuses lack defined budgets or qualified staff.
  • Opening a basic campus requires about S/105 million, and Sunedu licensure is mandatory before enrolling any students.
  • Past creations often took years to operate, prompting proposals to prioritize branch campuses of licensed universities and to require staged licensing and multiyear funding plans.