More than 42,000 people gathered on Wednesday, October 21, in Plaza Juárez, the heart of Pachuca, to commemorate the autonomy of the Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo (UAEH). This principle symbolizes freedom of thought, social responsibility, and the defense of public education. In unison, students, faculty, and administrative and management staff reaffirmed their commitment to one of the cornerstones of university identity.
The celebration was organized in various contingents, with members of the UAEH community marching from several locations in the city, including Ciudad del Conocimiento, the Centro Cultural Universitario “La Garza,” and preparatory schools number 1 and 3, as well as Avenida Revolución. The event united generations of university students and staff around the conviction that autonomy is an achievement that must be exercised, honored, and defended daily.
Rector Octavio Castillo Acosta, accompanied by former rectors Gerardo Sosa Castelán, Juan Alberto Flores Álvarez, Juan Manuel Menes Llaguno, Adolfo Pontigo Loyola, Juan Manuel Camacho Bertrán, and Humberto Veras Godoy, along with Patronato Universitario President Lidia García Anaya, stated that autonomy ensures that higher education institutions fulfill their mission with freedom, planning, and social responsibility. He emphasized that this principle, supported by the Mexican Constitution, allows universities to govern themselves, define their academic programs, set development criteria, and perform their essential functions without interference.
Castillo Acosta highlighted the advancements made by the UAEH, including the reform of its General Statute, the update of its educational model, international accreditation from the education system in the United States, digital transformation efforts, the creation of a new institute focused on emerging technologies, and the construction of a new auditorium for conferences and concerts. He stated that these achievements reflect the institution’s ability to define its path and respond to contemporary challenges.
Academics from both Chile and México, including Iván Vera-Pinto Soto from the Universidad Arturo Prat, underpinned the value of autonomy as a safeguard for critical thinking and societal progress, while Luis Armando González Plascencia, Secretary General of the National Association of Universities and Higher Education Institutions (ANUIES), emphasized the need to protect autonomy to ensure educational spaces remain diverse and free from censorship.
The event also featured performances by local musical groups, including La Cachirula and Loojan, and was attended by various stakeholders, including faculty members, student leaders, and local officials. The gathering highlighted the ongoing dialogue surrounding the importance of preserving educational autonomy in the face of external challenges.
