http://www.granma.cu/ingles/cuba-i/7feb-univer.html
Havana. February 7, 2013
UNIVERSITY OF HAVANA
Modern, committed, socialist
• On the occasion of the 285th anniversary of the oldest
higher education institution in the country, Gustavo Cobreiro Suárez,
rector of the University of Havana, converses with
Granma International
Yenia Silva Correa
ON January 5, 1728, the Dominican Order established the Real y Pontifica
Universidad de San Gerónimo de La Habana in the San Juan de Letrán Convent, now
the University of Havana.
The University’s central priority is to train
professionals for the 21st century.
That day marked the beginning of a task to educate thinkers and patriots,
tied to the traditions of the revolutionary struggle, which today, to indicate
a few recent figures, has resulted in 3,000 graduates in the last academic
year, excellent faculty staff, with more than 70% of the teaching personnel
possessing Masters or Doctorates in the Sciences, offering 32 degree courses
which respond to the country's needs.
The participation of the University of Havana (UH) in the updating of the
economic model currently being developed in Cuba can be measured in many ways.
The process of discussion and implementation of the 6th Party Congress
Policy Guidelines, and the participation of various University professors in
the various work commissions set up for the process, are just two examples.
However, as an institution, the UH has its own targets to meet, in
accordance with the policies outlined by the Party Congress.
In this regard, Dr. Gustavo Cobreiro Suárez, University of Havana rector,
emphasized the need to increase academic efficiency, to ensure that the courses
and range of postgraduate programs are in line with the economic and social
demands of the country, and ensuring science has a greater impact.
A significant aspect of Cuban scientific innovation is that it comes from
the universities, which makes it important to translate education into a
contribution and solutions for the nation.
Equally necessary is the education of future generations, training to be
the professionals of the future who will teach others in their university
studies.
Cobreiro Suárez emphasized, "We need to work to ensure that our young
people have a better and broader education, are better prepared, more involved
with the Revolution, better able to continue the social project, and
participate in the development of the economic model."
PRIORITIES AND ASPIRATIONS
One of Cuba's current priorities is to increase the number of students in
technical sciences, natural and exact sciences, these being specialist areas
which are in some cases undersubscribed, as students perceive them as complex
and difficult.
Reaching the optimum match between the country's needs and the students'
desires is another issue on the agenda of the oldest university in Cuba.
"We have organized some key experiences for 12th grade students, in
which, every year, 100-plus high school pupils study for the last year of high
school in the University.
"More than 80% of students who started their courses three years ago will
complete their studies successfully. More than half have an average mark of
over four points. This indicator shows that the experience is producing the
results we hoped for."
"Every year we organize open days. We have had three Saturdays, one
devoted to natural and exact sciences, another to economic sciences and the
third to humanities."
This has been well received, as has the Science Festival, which has
increased the participation of young people each year, although these are not
the only actions to attract students into fields which will ensure the
country’s economic advance.
"We have improved the training of teaching staff who deliver the first
year programs, as a means of raising academic efficiency. We are continuing to
work on improving the composition of the academic staff with the aim of
providing the professionals required for the economic and social development of
the country."
MORE WORK, BETTER RESULTS
"We are making strides from the point of view of organization and
structure in order to ensure closer links between the areas which generate
scientific knowledge in the university and the country’s productive sector,"
explained Dr. Cobreiro.
The university is recouping some of the buildings used for the sciences
and teaching. With regards to these, the rector highlighted the recovery of the
Physics faculty, some laboratories in the Chemistry building and the
construction of a new Communications Faculty. All this without overlooking the
need to retain a high quality management of the University.
With all of its Masters courses recognized, the UH is accredited by the
National Accreditation Board and possesses the category of Certified
Institution.
Every year the University of Havana wins significant awards from the
Cuban Academy of Sciences, although it concentrates all its efforts in one
direction, that of "educating patriots who are well prepared, with the widest
vision possible of the world we live in, equipped with the tools required by
21st century professionals, such as information management, information and
communication technologies, and foreign languages."
THE FRUITS OF THREE CENTURIES
Awarding each year around 100 doctorates and more than 1,000 Masters
degrees in the sciences, having links with more than 300 institutions around
the world, being involved in all the programs and tasks of the Revolution, and
a presence all over the city, speaks volumes of the high esteem in which this
venerable Cuban institution is held.
In spite of these unquestionable merits, Gustavo Cobreiro Suárez outlines
the University's main achievements in his own words.
"The University of Havana has been here for three centuries, and it has
always reflected the times, there is always evidence of the times in which it
lives. The fact it is here today and occupies an important place in the history
of the nation is a fundamental achievement. If you ask me, I believe it has
fulfilled its commitment to training professionals needed by the country, whose
educational level is acknowledged not just in Cuba but also abroad."
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