decision Valencia Institute for Competitiveness (Ivace) rejecting Fundesem’s offer To lease part of the public building it occupied in Alicante to the European University and to terminate its contract claim the debt dropped out of business school with very few options. Or its president, Cayetano Sánchez Butrón, activating the business world to do login Allowing at least part of the pending payments to be paid and renegotiated with the autonomous body, otherwise the centre, bankruptcy, with an uncertain outcome. And the truth is, in previous cases when Alicante employers have been asked to fill their pockets to save an institution, the precedent is not at all positive. It was never massive. Fundesem’s own lack of income makes it clear that there are many businessmen who choose to send their children or employees to Turkey. foreign centres.
On the other hand, liquidation or, in any case, the separation of the center from its existing facilities is also a problem. Complexity for the Ministry of Economy itself, He said he needed to look for a new destination for the property with a formula that even the district administration didn’t quite have. One of the possibilities that gains more power is finally Alicante Chamber of Commerce, Its president, Carlos Baño, who already has an agreement with Fundesem for the use of five classrooms, made it clear at an announcement ceremony in Elche on Tuesday that the European University is against allowing it to be implemented in the building because it is a private centre. . Same argument as Ivace.
However, both this and any other option must take into account that the philosophy and desire always expressed by Economy Minister Rafa Climent is always valid. That Alicante should have a business schoolsomething that the region deems essential to the business fabric. Another thing is the brand under which it can operate, this will depend on what Consell’s legal and technical services can determine. In other words, whoever occupies Ivace’s property—whether it is Fundesem, Chamber, or a third party— should allocate at least some of the facilities for this purpose. Not for nothing, since 2019 and until now, Climent has always argued that as a native of Alicante, he is convinced that the state needs a business school. That same Wednesday, in fact, as soon as the Ivace board’s decision was heard, the minister said, “I am from the state of Alicante and there was always a special sensibility and everything possible was done so that Fundesem would succeed”.
origins
In the mid-sixties, a group of businessmen decided to promote what was then called. Alicante Center for Higher Studiesto fully supply Lack of university education in the regionaimed at economists and business. was in 1978 When Re-established as Fundesem and experienced a period of growth that led to it. 1992 three-way deal to be closed With the Alicante City Council and the Generalitat to provide him with a suitable headquarters and leave the building given by the Jesuits.
The Consulate transferred the land to Calle Deportistas Hermanos Torres and the district administration through the Institute for Medium and Small Business (Impiva) and built the building that will also house its own building. campus.
From that moment on, Fundesem, pay annual rent. For several years, the school experienced a period. fat cows thanks to expansion of savings banks CAM and Bancaja were committed to raising the education level of their staff, which at the time provided a generous income to the institution. The problem came with the bursting of the real estate bubble and the withdrawal and subsequent fall of these financial assets.
beyond the effects Economic crisisAt that time, for many businessmen and professionals, the center’s difficulties in attracting students became apparent. they preferred to go to foreign centers most reputable. As some employers realized this Thursday, one of Fundesem’s main challenges has always been Lack of university support to verify their titles. The Alicante business school puts this into a situation. agreement with the CEU it worked for several years, but Fundesem’s payment difficulties broke the alliance and turned the university center into another creditor.
By then the situation had already deteriorated. she wore my fundese No rent to Ivace since 2011 Attempts to expand to other cities such as Murcia or to attract students in Latin America also failed to improve the situation. up to that point In March 2017, Ivace filed a lawsuit in court. to claim back amounts.
It’s an agonizing situation that lasted almost two years until 2019 and beyond. transition to the management team, led by lawyer Cayetano Sánchez Butrón renegotiation agreement your debt amounting to €1,267,000 at that time. The pact included a reduction of the annual rent from 150,000 to 95,000 euros – which remains at 120,000 including VAT – plus another 60,000 euros per year to pay off outstanding debts.
Sánchez Butron later increase the social base With the protective member figure, which was obtained with a contribution of 5,000 Euros and can be recovered later in education, the school preferred to offer more education in the digital field and signed an agreement with the consultancy and training firm. here to offer new services.
Despite the backlash from business and Alicante society, some actions have managed to slightly improve the situation it was never enough. As if that wasn’t enough, the pandemic interrupted the new executives’ plans. The deal with Aquora was reduced to training “in the company”—the company itself—and unpaid rent continues This increased his debt with Consell to 1.65 million.
That’s when Sánchez Butrón decided to play the team’s card. European Universitymanaged to close a deal on July 31 last year. The private center would take the opportunity to teach some degrees in health and support Fundesem’s master’s degrees in return. 400,000 euros per year. Enough to pay the annual rent and expedite the payment of the debt.
Along the way, a limited society the place where the educational activity is transferred. The target was also to sell 49% of the capital and raise 490,000 Euros, but as of today only half of this amount has been reached. Again, the business world is having a hard time scratching their pockets.
In any case, it was necessary to close the deal change conditions signed with the two relevant authorities. this Alicante City Council agreed, however Consell did not see with good eyes to transfer the public space to a private center due to the competition that may arise from public universities. So he chose to reject the deal and go one step further to terminate the contract and claim the debt that led to the current situation.
Those responsible for Fundesem work for the following purposes: make a final decision about your future next week, but first they need to know the exact terms of the Ivace requirement. Options: ask for money now or apply for the contest. on his behalf, regional body also awaits the movements from business school before taking the next steps. This yes, whatever they are, everything indicates that the intention is to continue using the building. business school, whoever rules.