International Education at Havana University: experiences and perspectives
C U B A Today
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Population: 11,200,000, 50.3% are women.
97.5% of children until 14 years go to school
2.3 millions of students in different educational levels
220 institutions of Science and Tech with more than 30,000 professionals
1.8 scientists and engineers per 1000 inhabitants.
67 Universities in the country and more 20,000 faculty
More than de 7000 PhD
C U B A Today
From 1959 to 2012 : more than 900,000 university graduates
Education
35 %
Others
9%
Medical Sciences
18 %
38%
38%
Social Sciences and
Humanities
Natural and Exact
Sciences
Technical Sciences
Agricultural Sciences
Economics
 6% of the Cuban population has completed an undergraduate program
 All new graduates are granted jobs; they receive their university diploma
together with notices of employment
 In Cuba one of each seven workers is a university graduate
Cuba Provinces
Mayabeque
Pinar del Río
La Habana
Villa Clara
Sancti Spíritus
Ciego de Avila
Camagüey
Tunas
Artemisa
Holguín
Matanzas
Cienfuegos
Isla de la Juventud
Santiago
Granma
de Cuba
Guantánamo
La Habana
Tarará
Main Campus
JBN
18 Academic
Units
 Biología
 Filosofía
 Colegio
 Física
San Gerónimo
 Comunicación
 Contabilidad y Finanzas
 Derecho
 Economía
 Educación a Distancia
 Farmacia y Alimentos
 Artes y Letras
e Historia
 Geografía
 Lenguas
Extranjeras
 Matemática y
Computación
 Psicología
 Química

FENHI
 Turismo
18 Research Centers
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Jardín Botánico Nacional (JBN)
Centro de Investigaciones Marinas
(CIM)
Centro de Investigaciones de la
Economía Internacional (CIEI)
Centro de Estudios Demográficos
(CEDEM)
Instituto de Ciencias de los
Materiales (IMRE)
Centro de Biomateriales (BIOMAT)
Centro de Estudios de la Economía
Cubana (CEEC)
Centro de Estudios de Técnicas de
Dirección (CETED)
Centro de Estudios de
Perfeccionamiento de la Educación
Superior (CEPES)
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Centro de Estudios de Salud y
Bienestar Humano (CESBH)
Centro de Estudios de Medio
Ambiente (CEMA)
Centro de Estudios sobre
Migraciones (CEMI)
Centro de Estudios Hemisféricos y
sobre Estados Unidos (CEHSEU)
Centro de Estudios de
Administración
Pública (CEAP)
Facultad Latinoamericana de
Ciencias Sociales (FLACSO)
Centro de Estudios de Proteínas
Centro de Estudios de Productos
Naturales
Centro de Estudios de
Investigaciones y Evaluaciones
Biológicas
Human Resources
Undergraduate Students Total 23,500
Graduate Students
Total 26,000 in 2012
23 PhD programs in 21 areas of knowledge
• 6 subsidiaries
(community
colleges) in 15
Municipalities
Student
Residences
2 Museums
Culture and Arts
Sports
International Students Fair
The University in the
Community
Program for nontraditional students
THE UH : SCENARY OF IMPORTANT
INTERNATIONAL EVENTS
International Agreements : 434
The UH PARTICIPATE IN MORE THAN 50 INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
Academic and Scientific Networks :43
International Cooperation for 2012: 1178
300
250
200
240
187
199
150
100
50
0
38
33
27 19
57
51
19
51
22 24 16 22 12
18 14 25
11
Scientific Results in the UH
Year 2012
Presentations at National and International
Meetings
Monographs
Articles
2320
48
1413
Books
66
Awards from the Cuban Academy of
Sciences
23
Academic Exchange
A valuable tool for understanding
between countries
 Fosters and supports educational
collaboration between universities
 Promotes the cooperation based on
the principles of equity and mutual
benefits
Contributes to the
economic progress
social
and
Takes
advantage
of
acquired
experiences to fulfil the mission of the
universities
Evolution and Challenges
In an increasingly interdependent world
academic exchange recognizes:
better understanding between
different cultures
 a vital need to advance the
exchange of knowledge
International education at the university
level provides a channel for an academic
exchange of knowledge and culture
One of our main goals is to promote deeper
knowledge about Cuban life and culture
through the immersion of participants in the
academic environment by the semester–long
courses
Semester Programs
At UH, the educational model has been developed over many years, and in
2000, the University created the first semester-long program for students from
the United States. The latter has served as a mean of educational, scientific,
and cultural exchange between the University of Havana and several U.S.
universities
Semester Programs gradually increased to 9 from 2000 to 2004
2000
2001
2002
2004
INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR STUDY ABROAD ( IFSA)
SCHOOL FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAINING (SIT)
SARAH LAWRENCE COLLEGE
CENTER FOR CROSS CULTURAL STUDIES
COUNCIL FOR INT. EDUCATION EXCHANGE (CIEE)
LEXIA INTERNATIONAL
UNC- CHAPEL HILL
SUNY-OSWEGO
The US Government regulations
In May 2004 regulations from the US government affected the granting of
licenses which limited the academic, cultural and scientific exchanges between
both countries. In July 2004, five programs closed permanently.
Statistics indicate that the number of American students has dramatically
dropped since 2004. However Semester Programs constitute one of the best
ways for academic exchanges between universities of both countries.
From 2005 to 2012 twelve new Semester Programs started:
• American University
• SUNY Buffalo
• Ohio Northern
• Harvard University
• Burlington College
• Presbyterian College
• Pittsburgh University
• Princeton University
• Tulane University
• University of Alabama
• Arcadia University
• Marist College
Deevelopment of semester-long programs
Exceptional success:
10 years of collaboration
Semester Programs highlights
 Enroll in regular university courses together with Cuban students
and earn up to 16 credits
 Experience the blend of African, European and American cultures
form Cuba. Take classes at the University of Havana and participate
in cultural activities and study trips designed to encourage direct
interaction with the Cuban people
 Opportunities in the classroom and the community for American
students to interact with Cuban students and the day-to-day life of
the country
 Contribute to grow the next generation of leaders who can
adapt quickly to changing realities
New in 2012 -2013
Besides the Semester Programs, new possibilities for the
academic exchange are currently being studied
• Increase the availability of short-term programs and summer
courses
•
Semester Program to learn Spanish
•
Semester Program to study the Caribbean
•
Semester Program with emphasis in Natural Sciences
What else we are considering
• Research programs for students who complete a Semester
Program at the University of Havana.
• Internships at San Geronimo School
• Triangulated Programs (an American University – University of
Havana – and an university from a third country)
• Promote a closer contact with local population. American
students should be allowed to rent and live in legally
recognized private housing.
New Short Term programs
 An introduction to Cuba: the challenges of contemporary Cuban
society
 Current situation and prospects of the Cuban economy
 The reintegration of Cuba into the international economy
 Tourism from an ecological perspectives
 Biodiversity in Cuba: Flora and Fauna
 Learning to do business with Cuba
 Negotiating with Cuba tourism opportunities
 Cuba and the Caribbean
Academic Cooperation
 Short/long research and academic training
 Summer Courses
 Research Projects
 Joint Master and PhD degree Programs
 Seminars, conferences and workshops
 Joint Articles and Books
Conclusions
1. These academic exchanges contribute to a better understanding of
Cuban reality and hopefully in the future these contacts can be
increased
2. Until now Semester Programs at UH, represent one of the most
important experiences in international education with many
different activities that develop strong relationships between
students and staff from the universities involved
1. The experience of semester programs with American students is
fundamental for the future of our world because it is an intellectual
and cultural exchange that helps to build mutual respect and
understanding between people and nations
QUESTION?
How can we work together to restore and
enhance the cooperation and collaboration
between Cuba and US academic
communities?
Building and developing the academic
friendship bridge
THANK YOU VERY MUCH !