Joint academic initiative: Lectureship, Chair and Research Programme

The Etxepare Basque Institute’s academic network includes universities from various countries that promote the Basque language and studies in collaboration with each institution through different academic formats. Basque studies are offered at some foreign universities through lectureship positions. At others, higher education and academic research are promoted through Basque studies chair programmes. And finally, research programmes are implemented to advance Basque studies.

One university now integrates all these academic formats into its Basque language and studies programme: Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Based in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the UNSAM has been running the Amale Artetxe Chair since 2024. Starting in 2026, it will take on the Basque language teaching programme and will also launch a research programme in Basque studies. Thus, in the history of the Etxepare Basque Institute, UNSAM becomes the first university in its academic network to establish a programme of this kind, simultaneously integrating a Basque language teaching programme, a chair in Basque culture and a research programme in Basque studies.

With regard to the lectureship, Universidad Nacional de La Plata had hosted the Basque language programme in the city of La Plata, Argentina, until 2025. However, in collaboration with the Etxepare Basque Institute, starting in 2026, the lecturer programme will be taught at UNSAM in Buenos Aires. This way, the teaching and knowledge of Basque language and culture will be brought to the Argentine capital, broadening its reach and impact.

Launched in 2019, the Amale Artetxe Chair for the promotion of Basque studies is named in honour of Amale Artetxe´s contributions to the Basque diaspora in Argentina. Initially, this chair programme did not have a fixed location; it was itinerant until 2023, operating across various CONICET (National Council for Scientific and Technical Research) centres in the field of humanities. Since 2024, UNSAM has hosted a visiting professor annually, with support from the Etxepare Basque Institute, who teaches a postgraduate or doctoral course and offers a number of public lectures.

One of the key developments in 2026 will be the launch by UNSAM of a pioneering research programme in Basque studies designed for students, teaching staff and researchers alike. In a country with a sizable Basque diaspora, the university aims to open up new areas of study by integrating different disciplines and academic departments, forging new alliances, and creating opportunities for academic residencies focused on research into Basque language and culture.

Through this initiative, the Etxepare Basque Institute continues to promote Basque studies in collaboration with international universities and institutions of higher education. The goal is to enhance the international recognition of the Basque language and culture while creating opportunities for interaction with other languages and communities.