Students of the Faculty of Dental Medicine of Lisbon called the Minister of Higher Education to transfer the outstanding amount promised in 2007 to "restore the proper conditions for teaching and provision of health care."
In an open letter addressed to the Minister for Science, Technology and Higher Education Mariano Gago, students ask to be transferred "with the utmost urgency" the extraordinary sum they had been promised in November 2007, to that "can take immediate necessary improvements to the replacement for decent education and the provision of health care."
In the document, the students of the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Lisbon (FMDUL) emphasized the continuing "deep dissatisfaction with the poor conditions of education and the provision of health care and the lack of funds forced" closure of the clinic and the operating conditions due to infrastructure below the minimum acceptable parameters ".
According to students, also "the physiological clinics, pre-clinical and laboratory are working with serious limitations and the facilities are in a state of degradation rampant.
The same situation had led the students to do FMDUL a period of strike in December 2007, which reiterated the need to implement appropriate measures.
Following this protest, the students were received by the Secretary of State for Higher Education, Manuel Heitor, and then the Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education ordered an "inspection as a matter of urgency at the premises of FMDUL.
During the inspection, says the letter, were confirmed "shortcomings 'Third World' premises and equipment reported by the students during the protest and that can only embarrass the supervision of a school that is either level.
Students have reported that, after this inspection, the ministry is committed to providing the University of Lisbon "by a special grant to meet the need of this financial institution" to that in January 2008 sent a plane detailed budgeting for the improvements to be made in a joint paper by the FMDUL and the rector of the UL, and so far got no response.
"The situation with regard to the promised funding has not changed, bringing very grievous consequences for the functioning of FMDUL" and "show operating conditions incompatible with maintaining the image of a modern university," regrets the students.
In the letter, students report that lack of funds, beyond the closure of the clinic and operating room and the limitations on the operation of other facilities, has also forced "to relocate students to already crowded areas functionally, which has created serious problems scientific and educational nature.
"How do you expect your letter that the College can maintain its status as a great school of practice and education in oral health in the country?", Question students in a letter to the Minister Mariano Gago.
The Lusa contacted a source of office of the Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education, who later referred to a possible comment on this subject.
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I show here my full solidarity with the students of FMDUL; Portugal is part of the European Union and not of any Third World country. Politicians can not do just mere promises.
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