I am very concerned about what is happening in relation to higher education on the island of Lanzarote. Higher education is a fundamental right for the development of any society. In Lanzarote, the absence of a face-to-face university causes many young people to emigrate to study, generating economic, emotional and social inequalities. This problem not only affects students and their families, but also represents a loss of talent for the island. It is essential to seek viable solutions that guarantee access to university education without young people having to leave their homes.
The most obvious and structural solution would be the creation of a university on the island. A university campus with a varied academic offer would allow young people to study without having to move. This would not only facilitate access to higher education, but would also boost the local economy, attracting professors, researchers and new job opportunities.
I believe that a possible measure could be the expansion of distance programs. For university students, we have the UNED, but the offer is somewhat limited; the degrees could be expanded. For those who need to move to another island, the government should not only help with tuition costs, but also with housing, transportation and maintenance.
Perhaps agreements could be established with the universities of Gran Canaria and Tenerife to facilitate access for students from the smaller islands, offering residences at affordable prices and mobility programs that allow them to return frequently to their homes.
The dual university is another possibility that I consider very attractive for students. These would acquire work experience while studying. On an island like Lanzarote, with an economy very dependent on the tourism sector, young people could be encouraged to specialize in areas such as renewable energies or quality tourism.
Distance education would be another option, but many technological resources would be required. It would be necessary to provide the island with centers equipped with virtual classrooms, digital libraries and remote laboratories, where everyone could access the materials.
The universities themselves can offer jobs to students to help them finance their studies, as assistants in research projects with professors. This not only allows them to earn some money, but also to acquire valuable experience in their field of study and feel useful.
Helping in the university library, with tasks such as organizing books, assisting other students of the university itself or administrative work, they can also collaborate in the management of events, in public attention or in the organization of academic activities. In addition, the most advanced students can offer tutorials to their lower-level classmates in subjects that they master better. This is beneficial for both the tutor and the students who receive the help, promoting cooperative work. Many university campuses have cafeterias or restaurants where students can work without leaving their place of study.
Many young people master digital content and have skills in graphic design, video, digital marketing or web development. They can offer their services to create content and make it visible on social networks.
Without adequate training, many end up in precarious jobs, without the possibility of growth, which causes stagnation in the development of the island. Some feel aimless, since they have no future prospects, which leads them to demotivation and falling into harmful dynamics, seeking harmful environments.
Referring to the recently deceased Yolanda Arencibia Santana, who dedicated many years of her life to the study of the work of Benito Pérez Galdós, she highlighted the importance of having academic references that inspire new generations. In the words of Benito Pérez Galdós, "Education is the redeemer of peoples."
Gonzalo Ortega Ojeda, professor of Language at the University of La Laguna, highlighted in an interview that young Canarians express themselves in an uninhibited way, which increases the esteem towards their own dialect, and encouraged young Canarians to preserve their cultural heritage.
A student told me one day: "We don't want to choose between leaving or giving up our dreams."
