The Rectorate of the University of Buenos Aires had presented a "declarative action for certainty" requesting the Courts to define whether the General Audit Office of the Nation (SIGEN) has the authority to audit it. In a recent press conference, UBA authorities expressed their willingness to be audited within the legal framework.
The SIGEN's request includes the submission by the UBA of its internal regulations for the approval of expenses, purchasing regulations, contracting, and details of acquisitions made with funds transferred by the Ministry of Education, among other points. Judge Diego Cormick set a deadline for the Government to respond to UBA’s arguments against SIGEN.
As part of an audit plan for the expenses of Higher Education Institutions, representatives of SIGEN met with authorities from the University of La Matanza and presented a document for UBA to provide documentation related to the use of public funds. Additionally, working meetings were held to establish procedures, assign responsibilities, and schedule joint actions.
The SIGEN's request seeks to hold UBA accountable for the funds transferred by the National Government. It is clarified that the audit would not affect the academic aspects of the University, but rather focus on the destination of public funds and their execution. Until 2022, this accountability was common, interrupted by a ruling from the then Attorney General of the Nation.
Despite SIGEN having initiated audit work at UBA last October, the university argues that the Audit Office does not have the authority to audit educational institutions, although it does not oppose audits in principle.
