This trend continues and encourages a discussion that has until now been reserved and cloaked in political correctness. Number of foreign students enrolled at the National University of La Plata (UNLP) By 52% in 2024 In relation to the previous year. At the Faculty of Medicine, one in four students (25%) who study the degree were born abroad.
In the courses that began in February in the Centennial Building on 60th and 120th Streets in the capital, Buenos Aires, there 3,650 young people hold a document issued by another country Who aspire to graduate as doctors, obstetricians, nutritionists or university nurses.
Between November and December 2023, enrollment at Medicina de La Plata is open. The official record has been marked 9,715 participants. Foreigners represent 37% of the total. Last year the total number of entries was 6,750 and these They crossed the border There were 2,778 (more than 40%).
Once again, just like 12 months ago, the community that tops the rankings is community Ecuadorian With 1,786 registered. That is, nearly half of the foreign students arrive from that Central American country. They are followed by those from Peru (542); Brazil (477); Colombia (448) and Chile (258).
Medicine It has the highest concentration of foreign registrants in the UNLP and this is not a new fact. But it is too Who calls more Throughout the University of La Plata, which has 45,000 male and female students enrolled.
There was a sharp increase in enrollment rates in 2024 compared to 2023, and authorities have not made clear what factors they can attribute to. A year ago, 31,000 participants entered. But one fact remains: according to a statistical report that was obtained ClarionOver a period of at least four years, 13% of those enrolled crossed the border to obtain vocational training at this university.
The attractiveness of Argentine medicine for young people of other nationalities is not limited to the University of La Plata. UBA stated that the total number of students studying medicine is 65,417 as of December 2023. Among this universe, 14,810 He has documents issued by another country. and that is, 22%. The enrollment rate of this college at the National University of Rosario (UNR) is also over 20%.
“In this house we always house foreigners Interaction with other cultures Improves the quality of education. The presence of these young people does not change the natural development of classes in any way.” Clarion Professor Eduardo Mansilla, responsible for one of the chairs at the Clínica de La Plata.
There is a coincidence in the reasons that led to this attraction. “Educational excellence and Tradition of hospitality “They are the factors that drive this phenomenon,” said the UNLP administration. “The participation and integration of these children was complete. They have a respectful and participatory attitude. Without a doubt you should Improve with more infrastructure and resources“But without restricting public education or income,” Mansilla said.
Former professor of infectology and authority at Children's Hospital, Sylvia Gonzalez Ayala, contributes Another look. “It's for prestige. But there is no doubt that the quality of teaching has declined in the last two decades because the scientific reality in the lesson plans has not kept pace and the relationship between teacher and student has become outdated. Something even more worrying: The magnitude of access decreased Simulation activities for outpatients or inpatients are key to learning.
Eight years ago, the entrance examination was canceled and courses have been running since then. Up to 10 times more students. The launch of quotas was not accompanied by growth in infrastructure and human resources. This process was carried out by the authorities still in charge of the college.
The dean, Juan Angel Basualdo, did not want to answer questions Clarion for this note. However, it is assumed that there are deficiencies in the construction. 10 days ago, he met with UNLP Vice President Fernando Tauber to evaluate the expansion project. It is a work covering an area of 656 square meters in the central building of the academic unit. It will add a fifth floor to the building's existing terrace.
The official has had a controversial career in administration: he was the one who ordered classrooms to remain closed for more than two years during the pandemic. This led to protests by teachers and students.
Then he agreed with a group to re-elect him to the position of dean in exchange for his attendance. That was in April 2022, when 80% of chairs were still in virtual mode. He later partially fulfilled this obligation.
“All this affected the quality of teaching. The presence of foreigners nourishes us,” explained González Ayala. Said specialist: Brazilians tend to group together, Chileans have very strict basic training, and Colombians or Ecuadorians are educated and interested in learning.
Brief review by the community
“We came because it suits us From the economy and also for prestige. We have already left some traces in La Plata Clarion Gabriel Esparza (23 years old) is in the final years of his studies. He even had access to help. “I can cooperate with the teacher and share knowledge with my classmates,” the young Colombian added.
The foreign presence can be observed in the Bosque de Plata area (at the edge of that walkway is the university building) in the neighbourhood. “I meet people from my country in the supermarket and even in the gym,” said Marcelo Quiroz (21), who rents an apartment in the El Mondongo area (near the La Plata Gimnasia y Esgrima stadium).
As we said, the tendency to choose degree courses in Argentina is nothing new. But the matter took on another dimension after the government of Javier Miley with the draft omnibus law Proposal to cancel free studies Educational pathways to obtain a degree or university for non-residents.
Based on this proposal – which has now been postponed due to the failure of the ruling party in the parliamentary debate – the authorities decided They prefer not to talk about this subject.
“we would like There is reciprocity. We intend that doctors who train here will also work in our health system. And it is Argentines who go to another country It can have the same acceptance“, assumed the president of the province's College of Physicians, Jorge Mazzone. He is also a professor of medicine at UNLP. “As a teacher, for me it is the same thing to teach a local or a foreigner. We only require full command of the language, as when we study a graduate degree in the US or Europe. “They're asking us to do that,” Mazzone says.
There are no difficulties in expressing an opinion outside the university system. Luis Torres, former superintendent of health services and current director of the Institute for Health Policy, Economics and Management, emphasized that there is a “strong disconnect between training, quantity and the needs of the health system.” He emphasizes that although approximately 6,000 specialists graduate annually, Argentina lacks some specialties such as clinical medicine or pediatrics.
Torres believes that it is necessary to regulate – through state institutional policy – the requirements of the system while directing training. It must be determined – as the expert says – whether the country aims for “a general model that focuses on primary health care or if it will permanently transform into a hospital-centered system, like the current system, where it focuses on specialties.” Regarding foreigners, Torres, like the now-defunct mosque project, confirms this Fees must be paid by those who do not have residency in the country. “And for those who graduate, have them do at least three years of practice in the country once they graduate.”
Silver. Messaging
