Claudia Sheinbaum stated that the appointment of Rosaura Martínez Ruiz to the Governing Board of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) was not a result of favoritism, clarifying that the selection is made by the university's council.
In a morning press conference at Palacio Nacional, Claudia Sheinbaum, the president of Mexico, addressed the recent appointment of Rosaura Martínez Ruiz to the Governing Board of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). She emphasized that this decision was not made through favoritism ('dedazo'), as it is the responsibility of the UNAM University Council to elect members of the Governing Board. Sheinbaum's comments came in response to potential criticisms implying nepotism due to Rosaura Ruiz being the daughter of the current Secretary of Science, Humanities, Technology and Innovation.
Sheinbaum explained that while there is an ongoing dialogue about the democratic processes within the UNAM's governance, any governance decisions are ultimately within the university's autonomy. She underlined that the members of the Governing Board are determined by a democratic mechanism established by the university, noting that the university has been urged to increase its democratic practices over the years. This statement serves to clarify the independence of the university's governance in light of allegations concerning favoritism.
The implications of Sheinbaum's remarks are significant, as they highlight the delicate balance between political influence and institutional independence within public educational bodies in Mexico. This incident could lead to greater scrutiny of governance practices at UNAM and other similar institutions, as stakeholders advocate for transparent and accountable processes in university appointments.
