Versión Español
EspañolUruguay’s Vice President Raúl Sendic has admitted that he does not hold a university degree, even though he has been introduced as “Bachelor of Human Genetics” in events and official documents for over two decades.
Local newspaper El Observador published an article on February 24 assuring that Sendic’s CV is hard to find since it does not appear on official websites.
However, Lista 711, Sendic’s political movement, features the vicepresident as holding “Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Human Genetics from the University of Havana, Cuba.”
It turns out, however, that Sendic never graduated from the University of Havana and that he has never worked as a geneticist.
“I took a short training course to teach genetics,” Sendic admitted to El Observador. “I have never practiced as a professional or researcher in genetics beyond participating in a team in Havana that conducted research on sex chromosomes.”
The Uruguayan newspaper points out that “Sendic cannot hold a Bachelor’s of Arts in Human Genetics because that university degree does not even exist in the University of Havana … it is a mere subject within Biology.”
Contrary to Sendic’s claims that he never said he was a Bachelor of Genetics, El Observador dug up an interview from 2014 in which Sendic lied on national television:
Jornalist María Noel Marrone asked him: “Is it true that you graduated in Human Genetics with honors?”. To which Sendic replied: “I studied Medicine but I couldn’t finish my career because democracy came to Uruguay, so I took on a Bachelor’s Degree in Genetics. It’s true, I was an honors student for two or three years in a row. But the truth is, nowadays I don’t dare to speak about genetics. The other day we had a meeting with researchers and it’s amazing how much genetics has advanced in these 20 or 30 years. I would say I’m practically illiterate in genetics now.”
The Uruguayan penal code, in Article 167, punishes the practice of a profession without proper qualifications.
“He who claims academic titles or practices professions that require a special authorization will be punished with a fine from [US$528 to US$23,800]”.
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After confirming this information, Independent Party Senator Pablo Mieres asserted that he felt sad and embarrassed.
Uruguayans also took to social media to denounce a perceived lie from Uruguay’s second-in-command.
@RaulSendic_uy hacé un favor a nuestro país y renunciá. Si no sos Lic. sos una verguenza para los que nos rompemos el lomo en la Universidad
— Ro (@RoSilveraA) February 24, 2016
“@RaulSendic_uy do our country a favor and resign. If have no degree, you are a shame for those of us who work hard at the University.”
Otro delito más en tu haber! Usurpador de título! Firmaste como tal. Te reís del pueblo. Cinico, sinverguenza! @RaulSendic_uy #Sendic
— Federico Larralde Sande® (@FedeLarralde) February 24, 2016
“Another crime under your arm! Degree usurper! You signed as such [a Bachelor’s of Arts]. You laugh at the people. Cynical scoundrel! @RaulSendic_uy #Sendic.”
@RaulSendic_uy sos de lo peor! Un chanta y un mentiroso. Usurpador de título, un insulto para todos quienes realmente estudiamos! #Sendic
— Federico Larralde Sande® (@FedeLarralde) February 24, 2016
“@RaulSendic_uy You are the worst! A liar, a degree usurper, an insult to all those who actually study! #Sendic.”
