Cuba Country Strategy
and IUC Partner
Identification
Mission Report
November 2011
Julie Carpenter
Carlos Alberto Vigil Taquechel
Table of contents
Acronyms
iv
1.
1
Mission Context and Background
1.1.
Introduction
1
1.2.
Geography
1
1.3.
Socio-economic analysis
1
1.4.
Political structure
2
1.5.
Economic performance
3
1.6.
Development priorities
4
1.6.1.
1.6.2.
Food security
Agricultural sector reform
4
5
1.6.3.
Environment and climate change
5
1.7.
2.
3.
The Cuban higher education system
5
Mission Objectives and Expected Results
9
2.1.
Objectives
9
2.2.
Expected results
9
Mission Activities
10
3.1.
Spanish Agency for International Cooperation for Development (AECID)
10
3.2.
MES
10
3.3.
Ministry for Foreign Trade, Investment and Cooperation (MINCEX)
12
3.4.
Delegation of the European Union (EU)
12
3.5.
Universidad de Matanzas (UMCC)
13
3.6.
Cuba National Seminar
13
3.7.
Universidad de Camaguey (UC)
13
3.8.
Universidad de Oriente (UO)
14
3.9.
Universidad de Granma (UDG)
15
3.10.
Universidad Central de Las Villas (UCLV)
15
3.11.
Universidad de Cienfuegos (UCF)
16
3.12.
UNDP Representation in Cuba
17
3.13.
Universidad de la Habana (UH)
17
3.14.
Title level 2 Instituto Superior Politecnico Jose Antonio Echeverría (ISPJAE)
18
3.15.
Universidad de Ciencias Informaticas (UCI)
18
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
3.16.
4.
Agropecuaria (CENSA)
19
3.17.
Officina del Historiador de la Ciudad de La Habana (OHCH)
20
3.18.
UNESCO Regional Office for Culture, Havana
20
Mission Findings and Accomplishments
4.1.
Higher education and research: status and policy environment
22
22
4.1.1.
University extension
22
4.1.2.
Strategic focus on national development priorities
22
4.1.3.
4.1.4.
Governance and sustainability in MES HEIs
Collaboration and networking in HE and research
23
23
4.2.
Observations resulting from the interaction with local stakeholders
24
4.2.1.
MES views on strategic directions for Flemish university cooperation
24
4.2.2.
4.2.3.
The impact of budget deficiencies on infrastructure and facilities
Overall assessment of strengths of HEIs visited
24
25
4.2.4.
Internal and external ICT network access
26
4.2.5.
4.2.6.
Staff mobility
Potential for HEIs to develop income-generating initiatives/partnerships
27
28
4.2.7.
4.2.8.
Transferring research into policy and practice
International profile of Cuban HE
28
28
4.2.9.
Existing links and contacts with Flemish universities
29
4.3.
Strategic niches for VLIR-UOS
31
4.3.1.
Regional focus
31
4.3.2.
4.3.3.
Themes
Transversal needs and opportunities
31
33
4.3.4.
4.3.5.
Domains
Collaboration within networks
35
39
4.3.6.
4.3.7.
Partnership modalities (portfolio of intervention types)
Non-academic partners and stakeholders
39
40
4.3.8.
Potential IUC partners
41
4.3.9.
Contribution and opportunities for Flemish non-university HE institutions
41
4.4.
5.
Universidad Agraria de La Habana (UNAH) and the Centro Nacional de Sanidad
SWOT analysis of a VLIR-UOS strategy with Cuba
Lessons Learned
41
43
5.1.
Strong national experts
43
5.2.
Lack of experience in strategic planning among HEIs
43
5.3.
The length of the mission
43
Annex 1: Programme outline
45
Annex 2: Main stakeholders and contacts
51
Annex 3: Cuba strategy summary status report
57
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
Annex 4: Local seminar report (participants, programme)
64
Annex 5: Completed VLIR-UOS institution fact sheets
70
Annex 6: Country strategy framework from Flemish (north) seminar)
141
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
Acronyms
AECID
Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional al Desarrollo
ALBA
Alianza Bolivariana para los Pueblos de Nuestra América
CAELTIC
Centre for Advanced English Language Training for International Collaboration
CAPES
Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (Brazil)
CENSA
Centro Nacional de Sanidad Agropecuaria
CIDA
Canadian International Development Agency
CIDEM
Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo de Estructuras y Materiales
CIGB
Centro de Ingeniería Genética y Biotecnología
CIM
Centro de Inmunología Molecular
CIMAGT
Centro de Investigación para el Mejoramiento Animal de la Ganadería Tropical
CITMA
Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnología y Medio Ambiente
CNIC
Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas
CNPq
Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (Brazil)
COSUDE
Agencia Suiza para el Desarrollo y la Cooperación
CTG
Close the Gap
CUC
Cuban convertible pesos
CUJAE
Ciudad Universitaria José Antonio Echeverría (see also ISPJAE)
CUP
Cuban non-convertible pesos
EEPFIH
Estación Experimental de Pastos y Forrajes "Indio Hatuey"
EU
European Union
FAO
Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations
GIS
Geographical information system
HE
Higher education
HEI
Higher education institution
HRD
Human resources development
ICA
Instituto de Ciencia Animal
ICT
Information and Communication Technology
IFAL
Instituto de Farmacia y Alimentos
IFS
International Foundation for Science
INCA
Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Agrícolas
IPK
Instituto de Medicina Tropical Pedro Kouri
ISPJAE
Instituto Superior Politécnico José Antonio Echeverría (see also CUJAE)
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
IUC
(VLIR-UOS) Institutional University Cooperation
JAN
Junta de Acreditación Nacional
K.U.Leuven
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
MDG
Millennium Development Goals
MES
Ministerio de Educación Superior
MINCEX
Ministerio de Comercio Exterior, Inversión Extranjera y Cooperación
MINED
Ministerio de Educación
MINSAP
Ministerio de Salud Pública
NGO
Non-governmental organisation
OHCH
Oficina del Historiador de la Ciudad de La Habana
PCM
Project Cycle Management
UC
Universidad de Camagüey
UCF
Universidad de Cienfuegos
UCMH
Universidad de Ciencias Medicas de La Habana
UCI
Universidad de Ciencias Informáticas
UCLV
Universidad Central de Las Villas
UDG
Universidad de Granma
UG
Universidad de Guantánamo
UGent
University of Gent
UH
Universidad de La Habana
UHOLM
Universidad de Holguín Oscar Lucero Moya
ULT
Universidad de las Tunas
UMCC
Universidad de Matanzas Camilo Cienfuegos
UNAH
Universidad Agraria de La Habana
UNDP
United Nations Development Programme
UNESCO
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
UNICA
Universidad de Ciego de Ávila
UNISS
Universidad de Sancti Spíritus
UO
Universidad de Oriente
UPR
Universidad Pinar del Rio
USD
United States dollar
VLIR
Vlaamse Interuniversitaire Raad (Flemish Interuniversity Council)
VLIR-UOS
VLIR University Development Cooperation
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
VUB
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Table of figures
Figure 1: Distribution of Cuban HEIs by Province
6
Figure 2: Total academic staff in MES HEIs in academic year 2010-2011
7
Figure 3: Enrolled full-time students MES HEIs in academic year 2010-2011
7
Figure 4: Total staff in MES HEIs with postgraduate qualifications: academic year 2010-2011
8
Figure 5: Identified research themes and sub-themes prioritised by Cuban HEIs
32
Figure 6: Summary of Flemish academic priority themes and research interests
33
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
1. Mission Context and Background
1.1. Introduction
This mission is part of a process of country strategy identification and IUC selection rolled out by
VLIR-UOS in the context of the implementation of the political agreement signed in 2010. This
agreement necessitates VLIR-UOS to formulate a strategy for each of its 20 VLIR-UOS partner
countries. This will be done in a phased manner, Cuba being one of the first six countries for which a
strategy will be formulated by the end of 2011. Missions are conducted by country teams consisting of
two experts (one international and one local expert), a member of the Bureau UOS and the VLIRUOS country desk officer.
1.2. Geography
The Republic of Cuba is a free socialist, sovereign, and collective State. Cuba is an archipelago
located in the western- most part of the Caribbean Sea, comprising the island of Cuba, the Isla de la
Juventud, and some 1,600 smaller islands and keys, for a total land area of 110,860 km2. Cuba is the
largest island of the grouping of the Caribbean, situated west of Hispaniola island (Haiti and the
Dominican Republic), and 145 km south of Key West, Florida (US).
Cuba is divided into 15 provinces and 1 special municipality (Isla de la Juventud). The former province
of La Habana was recently (2010) divided into 2 new provinces: Mayabeque and Artemisa. 75.8% of
Cubans live in urban areas. In recent years, population growth has slowed significantly. Cuba is
characterized by uniformity in the geographical distribution of its population and the variables that
comprise it. The central provinces and the capital have older populations.
1.3. Socio-economic analysis
Cuba's population stood at 11.24 million at the end of 2009. The population has largely stabilised, with
average annual growth of less than 0.5 percent per year over the past decade, a level which is well
below the Latin American average of 1.6 percent. According to official figures, in 2008-09 the
population increased slightly, with annual net emigration since 2000 averaging around 30,000 (around
0.3 percent of the population), of whom 20,000 legally migrate every year to the US under a bilateral
migration agreement. Both birth and death rates are low compared with the regional average. The
demographic profile is one of a rapidly ageing population due to low death rates and emigration, and
therefore a rising old age dependency ratio. According to the UN Economic Commission for Latin
America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), the percentage of the population over 65 years rose from 8.4
percent in 1990 to 9.6 percent in 2000, and will rise to 15.8 percent in 2020. The Cuban authorities
are concerned with the ageing of the population as well as with the exodus from rural to urban areas.
The government is in the process of analysing scenarios of population shifts for the next 15 years.
Cuba’s population replacement rate has not been guaranteed since 1978. In 1975, the number of
children born per woman was only 1.5. Approximately 79% of deaths occur among the population
aged 60 and older. In Cuba, infant mortality and mortality among child under 5 have markedly
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
decreased. The increase in life expectancy at birth is a faithful reflection of the country’s significant
reduction in mortality. At the beginning of the20th century, life expectancy was 40 years. In 2005, life
expectancy was more than 77 years.
Since the beginning of the Cuban Revolution in 1959, particular emphasis has been placed on
support policies in the social sector, including education, health and social security, as an essential
element of the 'social contract' between the Communist government and the Cuban people.
The Human Development Index (HDI) for Cuba is high, at 0.86315, which means that the country
ranks 51st out of 182 countries for which data are available. While Cuba ranks second in adult literacy,
it comes only 95th in the GDP per capita poverty measure. However, its Human Poverty Index (HPI-1)
ranking is 17th among the 135 developing countries for which the index has been calculated.
The emphasis placed by the government on the universal provision of basic health care has made
Cuba's health statistics comparable to those of industrialised nations. In 2009, life expectancy at birth
was 77.97 years (the highest in Latin America and Caribbean region after Chile and Costa Rica) and
the infant-mortality rate was 4.7 per 1,000 live births (the lowest in the region). A preventive health
care system, based on family doctors serving small patient groups, was developed in the 1980s.
Cuba has the highest ratio of doctors to population in the world (633 per 100,000 in 2007). Since
around 20,000 physicians out of a total of 71,000 work abroad, the number available on the island is
significantly less, but still high by international standards.
The state is Cuba's main employer, but the share of state employment has fallen since 1990, when it
accounted for 95 percent of total employment. By 2000 it had slipped to 77 percent, but since then it
has crept back up to over 80 percent. The main non-state jobs are in the agricultural sector, where
traditional private small farmers were joined by members of newly created farm co-operatives, which
replaced many of the large state landholdings. New categories of self-employment and family
businesses that have been legalised since 1993 have had to operate under tight regulation and high
taxes.
There are huge disparities in wages between different employment sectors, and especially between
those working in tourism with access to Cuban convertible currency (CUC) or other hard-currency,
and the rest of the population, which relies on salaries in non-convertible pesos (CUP). A senior
specialised physician earns a salary equivalent to €40 per month in CUP, while a parking keeper can
earn five times more with tips in CUC. The average monthly salary of a state employee is around the
equivalent in United States dollars (USD) of $1533.
1.4. Political structure
The Communist Party of Cuba has been the only legal political party since 1965. The Asamblea
Nacional del Poder Popular (the National Assembly of People’s Power) is the paramount state
institution, “representing and expressing the sovereign will of the Cuban people”. Elections to the
Assembly take place every five years; the most recent ones were held in 2008. Under the current
legislature, the Assembly includes 611 members of which 43 percent are women.
Fidel Castro was Head of State and Government from 1959 (marking the date of the revolution that
overthrew the regime of General Batista) to February 2008. Raul Castro was elected President of the
Council of State by the National Assembly on 24 February 2008. Following his appointment as
President of the Council of State, Raul Castro announced a series of reform measures ranging from
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
largely symbolic reforms, such as allowing Cubans to own mobile phones, stay in international hotels
or buy DVDs, to farther-reaching reforms such as the lease of agricultural land, the decentralisation of
some decision-making in this sector and the liberalisation of private taxi transport.
The Party Congress had not met for 12 years when it finally took place in April 2011. The Congress
decided on an important number of economic reforms amongst other the liberalisation of limited form
of free enterprise and the reduction of the number of civil servants.
The US sanctions law precludes any major shift in US policy while either Fidel or Raúl Castro is in
power. However, in March 2009, Washington lifted Bush-era restrictions on travel and remittances,
and relaxed limits on the sale of food and medicine. Washington announced another round of easing
restrictions on remittances and travel in late 2010/early 2011. Any more substantive US opening is
likely to come very slowly. In 2006 Cuba signed a “'Peoples' Trade Agreement” with Venezuela and
Bolivia, and the resultant access to Venezuelan oil on favourable terms is now a critical part of Cuba’s
economy. Other countries have also forged closer ties with Cuba in recent years, including Russia,
Brazil, China and other Asian countries like Vietnam. Cuba is very wary of heavy dependence on any
one relationship.
1.5. Economic performance
Cuba has a dual monetary system. Two currencies are in circulation: the CUC is equivalent to 1.08
USD and to 24 Cuban pesos (CUP). Although there are plans to formulate a strategy to move
towards a single currency, which is expected to remove a major barrier to economic growth, the
slowing down of the economy in 2009 delayed efforts to bring the two national currencies (CUC and
CUP) into closer alignment.
The economy has a rather competitive external component (nickel, tourism, biotechnology, services)
for which the CUC is used, and a protected and not very efficient domestic component managed in
CUP, as well as a parallel economy.
In view of its geographical and economic characteristics – small economy, overall poorly developed
industrial base, low productivity of the agricultural sector – Cuba depends mostly on imports for its
current operation. In 2008, asset imports rose by 43.8 percent and exports by 2.1 percent. The result
is a negative trade balance of 10.7 billion CUC (11.5 billion USD), which increased by 4 billion
compared to 2007, i.e. a progression equivalent to almost 70 percent of the deficit.
Three key trade partners have emerged since the beginning of the decade: a) Venezuela, under the
Caracas and Petro Caribe agreements, b) China, with priority being given by the authorities to
purchases of consumer and industrial goods of Chinese origin, and c) the United States, which
became Cuba’s 5th largest partner in 2007 in spite of the embargo (one way – Cuba can not export to
the US). Imports from the US, which had been prohibited by US law since 1961, resumed in 2002, but
trade with the US is restricted to imports of food and agricultural and pharmaceutical products.
Canada and Spain also carry considerable weight.
In 2008, Cuba spent 50 percent of its current budget on agricultural and energy imports. Cuba has the
world’s third largest reserves of nickel and cobalt; it exports high quality cigars and rum, and has a
service industries, high-tech biotechnology and a high level of performance in ICT and health.
Offshore oil drilling operations in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), initially planned for 2009, have
been postponed. The Cuban government estimates that there could be 20 billion barrels of oil
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
reserves in its offshore fields. Cuba currently imports 50 percent of its oil from Venezuela on highly
preferential terms.
Tourism is another important source of income for Cuba, with over 2 million visitors every year
bringing gross revenues of 2 billion USD. If the US Congress decided to lift its ban on US citizens
travelling to Cuba, this could represent a potential further flow of 2 to 3 billion USD annually.
The living conditions of Cuban people are not easy. Overall, the current economic situation of Cuba is
serious. Adding to the structural weaknesses of the economic system, coupled with the long-standing
impact of the US embargo, the Cuban economy was seriously affected by the combined effect of the
2008 hurricanes (500,000 houses destroyed or damaged, temporary evacuation of some three million
Cubans, and overall damage and losses estimated at almost ten billion dollars, i.e. over 20 per cent of
Cuban GDP), rising food prices (Cuba imports 80 percent of its food).
The whole economy is controlled by the state, which acts not only as a provider of both commercial
and non-commercial services, but also as a controller of trade in services. In 1990, the agriculture
sector accounted for 10.8 percent of GDP; today, it is estimated at less than 4 percent, even though it
employs 18.57 percent of the population. The decline of the sugar industry, a lack of finance for
agricultural imports and the weak incentives for farmers have all resulted in a fall in the share of
agriculture in the Cuban economy.
Until 2002, sugar accounted for around one half of the land area under cultivation, but a radical
restructuring programme initiated during that year has halved this area. Today, there are 700,000
hectares devoted to sugar cane in the country, of which close to 50 percent are harvested each year.
Eventually, this is expected to facilitate an expansion of other export crops (mainly citrus and tropical
fruits), as well as food crops and forestry.
Industry accounted for an estimated 25 percent of GDP in 2007, down from 32 percent in 1990. After
a sharp decline in industrial production in the early 1990s, new investments have brought a recovery
in some industries. These include: nickel mining, steel production, light industries supplying the
tourism sector and -since the launch of a new housing programme in the second half of 2005 - the
construction materials industry.
1.6. Development priorities
1.6.1.
Food security
Food security has been declared an issue of national security. The effects of the 2008 hurricanes, the
rapid and sustained increase in international food prices, the lack of foreign currency both for imports
and for food production inputs, and energy constraints have contributed to ensure that increasing
national food production, especially by using endogenous resources and appropriate (low-input)
technologies, is a national overarching priority. In this context, a series of measures are gradually
being put in place to increase food production by small-holders, as well as improving its efficiency and
quality.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
1.6.2.
Agricultural sector reform
As such a reform of the agricultural sector is crucial in order to ensure the sustainability of the
process. Main challenges are modernisation, diversification and increase of production. A further
difficulty is the economic sustainability of food production in a double currency system. Whereas 60%
of inputs are obtained in CUC, by state decree, 90% of sales are in (non-convertible) CUP, thus
providing little economic incentive to farmers and cooperatives. Given the above, the sustainable
expansion of food production in the Cuban smallholder agricultural sector will primarily depend on the
capacity of the Government to facilitate access to inputs (for production and processing) and credit.
1.6.3.
Environment and climate change
Economic growth and the promotion of a sustainable and equitable social development, while
safeguarding the environment and rationalising the use of natural resources, are at the very heart of
Cuba's national policies. However, although Cuba has the knowledge, the human capacity and a clear
understanding of its needs and priorities, it lacks the financial resources to expand its efforts and to
undertake further environment-related studies and investments in key sectors.
1.7. The Cuban higher education system
The Cuban higher education (HE) system comprises 68 HEIs (not including military universities):
these include 47 universities, 9 higher institutes, 8 schools/academies and 4 independent faculties. All
HEIs are public. The Ministry of Higher Education (MES) is responsible for policy in matters of
undergraduate and postgraduate education. It controls teaching, methodology, courses and
programmes and the allocation of student places. MES is also responsible for the evaluation and
accreditation of the whole university system but only 17 institutions are directly under the control of
this Ministry.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
Figure 1: Distribution of Cuban HEIs by Province
A significant number of HEIs are under the control of other state bodies, such as the pedagogical
institutions that belong to the Ministry of Education (MINED), in charge of primary, secondary,
technical and vocational education, or the medical sciences institutions belonging to the Ministry of
Public Health (MINSAP).
Accreditation
A University System Accreditation Programme (SUPRA) was established in 1999, implemented by a
National Accreditation Board - Junta de Acreditación Nacional (JAN). The Board grants the different
categories of accreditation to evaluated academic programmes and institutions.
SUPRA includes the Evaluation and Accreditation System for undergraduate programmes (SEA-CU),
the Evaluation and Accreditation System for Master’s Degree programmes (SEA-M), the Evaluation
and Accreditation System for Doctoral programmes (SEA-DR) and the System for the Evaluation of
Institutions (SEI).
The accreditation categories granted to post-graduate programmes are as follows: authorised,
ratified, certified and excellence for programmes at masters level; and authorised, certified and
excellence for programmes at doctoral level.
Student and staff numbers
According to official figures from the MES, more than 150,000 professionals are involved in academic
and /or research work in HEIs: 62,500 of these are full time professors. The same source indicates
that since 1959 the Cuban HE system has graduated 1,081,815 professionals (91,902 during the
academic year 2009-2010) of which 31,528 were foreign.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
Figure 2: Total academic staff in MES HEIs in academic year 2010-2011
3500
3000
2500
2000
Part time
1500
Full time
1000
500
0
At the beginning of the academic year 2010-2011 a total of 473,309 students (286.761 women
representing 60.5% of the total) were enrolled in some of the 94 undergraduate programmes offered
by the Cuban HEIs. A percentage analysis of the number of undergraduate students by areas of
science reflects that a significant number of the students were enrolled in the following areas: medical
sciences (31.4%), social and human sciences (23.9%) and pedagogical sciences (14.2%).
Figure 3: Enrolled full-time students MES HEIs in academic year 2010-2011
10000
9000
8000
7000
6000
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
0
With regard to postgraduate studies more than 150,000 students are enrolled in Masters and
specialist courses and around 4,000 are registered on doctoral programmes. On average, about 500
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
PhD theses have been defended per year in the last few years and the total of PhD graduates since
1969 is about 10,000. Analysis of PhD theses defended until 2009 shows PhD studies in the following
proportions: technical sciences (24%), natural sciences (21%), agricultural sciences (16%) and social
and human sciences (14%).
Postgraduate studies
Postgraduate education include masters programmes (of two or three years), doctoral programmes
(varying between three and five years), and short ‘diploma’ courses of between six to 18 months
duration).
A total of 439 Master programmes are being developed with the approval of the JAN of the MES. The
distribution by areas of sciences is as follows: technical sciences (84), pedagogical sciences (78),
biomedical sciences (75), social and human sciences (61), economical sciences (60), agricultural
sciences (41) and natural and exact sciences (40). Only 39 Master Programmes have been evaluated
with the highest level category of accreditation (excellence) including the Universidad de La Habana
(UH) with 14 excellency Master programmes, the Instituto Superior Politécnico José Antonio
Echeverria (ISPJAE) with nine and the Universidad Central de Las Villas (UCLV) with four.
Figure 4: Total staff in MES HEIs with postgraduate qualifications: academic year 2010-2011
1000
900
800
700
600
500
400
MSc
PhD
300
200
100
0
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
2. Mission Objectives and Expected Results
2.1. Objectives
Undertake an assessment of national priorities in terms of HE and poverty reduction, as also the
possible strategic niches for cooperation between Cuban and Flemish higher education institutes;
Consult, through visits, interviews and the hosting of a local seminar, with a wide spectrum of local
stakeholders in terms of strategically chosen areas where (1) ‘matching’ of needs and interests should
be possible and (2) a VLIR-UOS intervention could yield an optimal result;
Undertake an assessment of pre-defined local academic institutions in terms of their IUC potential,
per institution and overall;
Based on the above, formulate recommendations in terms of a VLIR-UOS strategy, including the
relevance and appropriateness of the various VLIR-UOS intervention types.
2.2. Expected results
Overview of strategic niche for cooperation taking into consideration the local needs and the Flemish
supply;
Shortlist of potential in terms of IUC and other initiatives; strengths and weaknesses of each visited
institute; link with national priorities, etc.
Recommendations formulated in terms of:

potential for transversal support initiatives;

the best possible portfolio (combination of intervention types) for VLIR-UOS cooperation in the
country

generic opportunities and constraints for university cooperation for development with the country
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
3. Mission Activities
The following paragraphs summarise the main findings from meetings and discussions with Cuban
and non-Cuban stakeholders during the mission. The full mission programme is provided in Annex 1
and the list of persons met in Annex 2.
3.1. Spanish Agency for International Cooperation for
Development (AECID)
Historically the most active HEIs working with AECID have been UH, ISPJAE, UCLV, UNAH and UO.
Other universities in the East such as UDG and UHOLM have increased their participation in AECID
projects in the last few years.
In the last four years 175 projects have been approved with a financial value of more than €6,6
million. The objective of these projects has been to contribute to development of institutional and
scientific capacity in Cuban HEIs.
Considering the geographical priorities defined by the government the 2011 call for project proposals
was focused on the Eastern region: only HEIs from the East will be able to coordinate interuniversity
cooperation projects funded by AECID. The main priorities in this cooperation are local development,
environment, quality of water, food production, energy and the improvement of the hospital
infrastructure. One of the most important assessment criteria is the prioritising of gender components
in the implementation of the projects. Spanish cooperation has also given special attention to
rehabilitating Cuban architectural heritage.
Joint cooperation projects between Cuba and other Latin American countries with joint funding from
AECID and VLIR-UOS could be considered as a possibility and may be of interest to the Flemish
institutions [projects 2x1 or 2x2].
Constraints on the implementation of AECID funded projects in the last two years include:
the lack of flexibility in Cuba to access funds from international cooperation projects if these external
financial sources are not already included in the annual budget of the institution;
the lack of availability in the national market of products and services that may be required during the
project implementation. As a consequence of this, in most of the AECID projects funds have been
held only in Spain, with the Spanish partners assuming the role of buyers and suppliers to the Cuban
institutions.
3.2. MES
MES highlighted the special role of higher education (HE) in the implementation of the economic
changes defined during the recent Congress of the Cuban Communist Party (2010). One of the main
missions of the HEIs will be human resource development for properly implementing the new
economic and social development policies until 2015. Another important mission in this period will be
assistance to local governments in the management and implementation of their policies on local
development.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
The main thematic priorities indicated by the MES are: agro industry and food security, environment,
water and soil management, natural and public health disaster prevention, industry and energy,
biotechnology, pharmaceutical industry, local development and housing development.
Concerning a new potential IUC Programme, the officials of the MES defined their preferred
programme on the Eastern region coordinated by the Universidad de Oriente (UO). In their vision, a
new programme should have a similar impact to the IUC Programme implemented in the UCLV with
more than 50% of the funds allocated to UO for improving its institutional capacity - essentially PhD
and MSc programmes and the quality and dimension of its research capacity (see Figure 4 above).
From the MES viewpoint the remaining funds should be allocated to foster the development of the
Eastern region through the implementation of national networks on priority scientific fields such as:
food production and food security which should include participation by the Universidad Agraria de La
Habana (UNAH), and the Centro Nacional de Sanidad Agropecuaria (CENSA), Instituto de Ciencia
Animal (ICA), Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Agrícolas (INCA), as well as the Estación Experimental
de Pastos y Forrajes "Indio Hatuey" (EEPFIH) in Matanzas, UCLV, Universidad de Camagüey (UC),
Universidad de Granma (UDG) and UO. MES also envisages a network on applied computer
sciences as well as telecommunications with the participation of UO, UCLV, Instituto Superior
Politécnico José Antonio Echeverría (ISPJAE) and the Universidad de La Habana (UH) and the
participation of other HEIs.
It was emphasised that HE is responsible for 50% of the scientific results and 20% of the innovation of
the country. For the improvement of these indicators, the officials mentioned the necessity of
prioritising PhD Programmes (with an MSc incorporated in the first phase) that reinforce the research
activity in the universities as well as their innovation and technology transfer capacity.
The improvement of research Infrastructure and ICT in the HEI networks were also indicated as the
main priorities for raising standards and quality in HE. These are considered as the major
technological problems of Cuban HEIs and, in general, they are addressed by all international
cooperation projects that include a budget line for equipment.
It was recognised that a major constraint on the sustainability of the HE system is the salaries of the
teaching staff which are not competitive in the labour market. There is a significant age gap in the
teaching staff of the Cuban HEIs, in which more than 55% of the staff are younger than 35 years old
or older than 60.
Regarding international cooperation, VLIR-UOS was acknowledged to be the largest single
international cooperation donor in HE, in terms of both funding and length of engagement with Cuban
HEIs. The following countries/institutions were mentioned among the other donors to the Cuban HEIs:
AECID (Spain), COSUDE (Switzerland), CIDA (Canada), CAPES and CNPq (Brazil) and bilateral
cooperation with the higher education systems of Mexico and Venezuela as well as other member
states of the Alianza Bolivariana para los Pueblos de Nuestra América (ALBA). In general, most of the
international projects implemented by Cuban institutions have as main outputs the fostering of
academic and scientist mobility.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
3.3. Ministry for Foreign Trade, Investment and
Cooperation (MINCEX)
It was confirmed that the biggest national thematic priority is food production. As Cuba imported
around the 80% of the food consumed by its population, the government considered essential the
fostering and consolidation of its national agricultural system, including the emerging private sector
(cooperatives and individual producers). It was also confirmed that the Eastern region is the national
geographical priority because of its relative poverty.
It was acknowledged that among constraints on the implementation of international projects include
the lack of availability in the national market of products and services that may be required during the
project implementation;
the inconvenience of currency exchange; and
the lack of flexibility of the Cuban financial system considering it is necessary to include international
funds in the annual budgets of the institutions if they are to be accessed for project implementation.
MINCEX confirmed its intention to facilitate the implementation of new VLIR-UOS projects in Cuba
and suggested the possibility of creating a Committee comprising representatives from VLIR-UOS,
MES and MINCEX for the periodic follow-up of projects and trouble-shooting solutions to minimize
these identified constraints and problems.
3.4. Delegation of the European Union (EU)
The main sector for EU cooperation is food security, providing equipment and supporting small scale
agriculture (cooperatives and individual farmers) and decentralised management of food production.
The response to hurricanes and other natural disasters is also a focus of special attention. Some
funds have been allocated to infrastructure rehabilitation and the reconstruction and conservation of
the Cuban architectural heritage.
The EU funds have been channelled through United Nations (UN) agencies and European nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) active in agriculture, food security, environment and climate
change, social cohesion and cultural cooperation. It was recognised, however, that there are some
constraints on attracting European private sector and NGOs to Cuba because of high operation costs.
The EU Delegation pays special attention to the improvement of the local institutions as a way to
reinforce the economical potential of the municipalities.
The EU Delegation does not have much contact with MES and Cuban HEIs. MINCEX, as the national
focal point for international cooperation, is its main and only national counterpart. This protocol can
pose obstacles to the dissemination of information on EU Programmes and initiatives, as well as the
involvement of HEI in some projects supported by the EU. From the viewpoint of the Delegation there
is a lack of international cooperation culture and project management competences in most Cuban
institutions, including HEIs.
The participation of Cuban universities in regional programmes of the EU such as ALFA or ALINVEST, in international student mobility programmes such as Erasmus Mundus or Erasmus Mundus
External Cooperation Windows and the EU´s 7th Framework Programme for Research and
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
Development is extremely limited. The potential for Cuban HEIs to increase their participation in all
these platforms of academic and scientific cooperation was recognised.
3.5. Universidad de Matanzas (UMCC)
UMCC is a local university of medium size in the context of the Cuban HE system. Its activity is mainly
focused on contributing to provincial economic and social development. UMCC lacks potential for an
Institutional University Cooperation (IUC) programme, but it has relevant experience in some key
areas with the potential for the university’s involvement in other VLIR-UOS projects and programmes:
for example:
In line with the main economic development areas in Matanzas province, UMCC has significant
capacity in the agricultural sector (sugar industry, the production of potatoes, rice and citrus fruit), in
the chemical and oil industry (mainly in heavy oil refining), and in environment and tourism.
a very important role could be developed by the EEPFIH, a research centre with a large experience in
the thematic area of food security and agricultural production;
UMCC also has some limited potential for international cooperation in its main research areas: food
production, plant biotechnology, pastures and forage, obtaining probiotics, supramolecular chemistry,
renewable energy, tourism and heritage planning and conservation.
3.6. Cuba National Seminar
See the seminar report in Annex 4.
3.7. Universidad de Camaguey (UC)
UC is located in the province of Camaguey, one of the largest of the country and with Camaguey city
the third largest in Cuba with 311,000 inhabitants. The province is one of the strategic territories for
food production in Cuba (25% of cattle production; 30% of freshwater fish and 50% of shrimp
production). Consequently, one of the main research lines of the university is aimed at supporting
agricultural development in the Central and Eastern zones of the country.
The UC is one of the most multidisciplinary universities of the country with 9 faculties. Its strongest
areas are: agricultural sciences, natural sciences, technical sciences and economic and social
sciences. In all these areas the university demonstrates good cooperation with other Cuban HEIs. UC
also has a number of dynamic research centres with potential for international cooperation,
particularly Centro de Estudios Multidisciplinarios de Turismo (CEMTUR) [Cultural Tourism
Development and Management], Centro de Estudios para el Desarrollo de la Producción Animal
(CEDEPA) [Food Security and Agricultural Production] and Centro de Estudios de Dirección
Empresarial (CEDET) [Local and Rural Development]. Although the university has few existing
contacts with Flemish universities there is potential for development of contacts in fields such as
biotechnology in agriculture, livestock management, dairy production and transport
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
The UC shows a reasonable involvement in international cooperation with some postgraduate
courses taught in various Latin America countries (Venezuela, Mexico, Ecuador, Peru and Dominican
Republic) and postgraduate students from UC have studied in VUB (informatics). Although UC would
not yet have the capacity to implement a full IUC programme it has potential, and could now be an
active stakeholder in other cooperation initiatives with Flemish universities, such as joint research
projects (currently termed Own Initiatives or OIs) and inclusion in a national food security network with
UCLV. UCLV is important for UC and they have good relations.
3.8. Universidad de Oriente (UO)
UO meets almost all the criteria required by VLIR-UOS for a full IUC programme. It is one of the
longest-established and most complete universities in Cuba. It is located in the city of Santiago de
Cuba (the country’s second most important city), in the Eastern region. During the visit, the university
presented a very well structured policy and strategy for the development and management of science
and innovation, with a functional structure of all the strategic areas headed by the Vice Rector of
Research and Postgraduate Studies. These policies, strategies also demonstrated a clear awareness
of the potential of working across academic structures on multidisciplinary research themes and in
cross-disciplinary research teams.
The UO has a range of research/study centres of great scientific and technological relevance that
offer opportunities of cooperation in various scientific fields. Among the most significant are: Centro de
Estudios de Educación Superior (CEES) [Quality of Higher Education], Grupo de Energías
Renovables Aplicadas (GERA) [Renewable Energies], Centro de Biofísica Médica (CBM)
[Bioengineering and Biomedicine], Centro Nacional de Electromagnetismo Aplicado (CNEA) [Applied
Sciences to Industry, Medicine, Biotechnology, Agriculture and Environment], Centro de Estudios de
Biotecnología Industrial (CEBI) [Environment, Industrial Biotechnology and Biopharmaceutical
Products], Centro de Estudios de Neurociencias, Procesamiento de Imágenes y Señales (CENPIS)
[Biomedical Research and Bioengineering], Centro de Estudios de Eficiencia Energética (CEEFE)
[Clean and Efficient Energy], Centro de Estudios Turísticos (CETUR) [Socio-cultural and Tourism
Development], Centro de Estudios Multidisciplinarios de Zonas Costeras (CEMZOC) [Environment
and Coastal Zone Management], Centro de Estudios para el Desarrollo Integral de la Cultura (CEDIC)
[Local Development] and Centro de Estudios Cuba - Caribe (CECUCA) [Socio-Cultural Development
and Regional Integration].
The university participates actively in several national scientific networks, especially those in which
the institution has significant capacity, such as: biotechnology, energy, environment, food production,
medical equipment and technology, business management, integrated water management, and
integrated coastal zone management. UO also seems to have good level of collaboration with
enterprises, industries and the provincial governments in the Eastern Region for the implementation
of actions in the field of innovation and technology transfer.
UO is one of the most active Cuban universities in the field of international cooperation, and is a
member of several international university associations, such as Unión de Universidades de. América
Latina y el Caribe (UDUAL), Inter-American Organisation for Higher Education (OUI) and IberoAmerican Association for University Postgraduate (AUIP) and implements various international
projects financed by CAPES (Brazil), AECID (Spain), COSUDE (Switzerland) and CIDA (Canada).
The university has good connections with universities in Spain, Brazil, Mexico and Venezuela as well
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
as the Caribbean region. However, the institution has not developed many contacts or any
cooperative partnerships with academics in Flemish institutions.
Among the main constraints on international research cooperation with UO are the general lack and
obsolescence of infrastructure and facilities for research and postgraduate activities and the absence
of general support services to research.
3.9. Universidad de Granma (UDG)
UDG originated as an agricultural institution of higher education, and its main institutional strengths
are still concentrated in the faculties of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, to match the
main productive sectors of Granma province: agriculture (40% of the rice production in the country
and a one of the major producers of coffee) and livestock. UDG is responsible for the coordination of
undergraduate and postgraduate studies in Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine in the Eastern region.
The university has shown very good results in training and advising local farmers, working with
cooperatives and independent farmers in the territory in order to improve their production capacities
and increase the commercialisation of agricultural products.
UDG has a reasonable international cooperation record relevant to its academic and scientific
potential: teaching and scientific staff participate in mobility actions and some research projects in
cooperation with institutions in Germany, Belgium (one VLIR-UOS OI in saline crop research), Spain,
Canada, Ecuador, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia and the Dominican Republic, although in the
last few years, most collaboration has been focused on Venezuela and Angola. UDG also
collaborates extensively at the national level with institutions in the agricultural development networks
such as UNAH, CENSA, ICA, UCLV, UC and UO.
The campus is located far from the nearest city (Bayamo) with poor transport infrastructure. During
the visit, more infrastructure and institutional management shortcomings and problems were evident
than in other Cuban universities visited: for instance, buildings and campus facilities showing
significant external signs of lack of maintenance and upkeep, buildings and departments were poorly
signposted. However, the central library environment and facilities appeared to be attractive, openly
accessible and well managed.
The institutional strategic vision presented by the administrative board, in terms of academic and
scientific development, was the weakest and less structured of all the universities visited. UDG is too
weak for the implementation of an IUC programme. Its involvement in cooperation with Flemish
universities should remain essentially in the thematic areas of food security, agricultural production
and rural development in which the university has experience and good institutional capacity.
3.10.Universidad Central de Las Villas (UCLV)
The visit to UCLV allowed the Country Team to verify the great impact that the VLIR-UOS IUC
Programme has had on the institution, in terms of infrastructure development and the capacity and
human resource development.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
The university proposed a role for itself in providing specialised assistance and a range of support
services to Cuban HEIs in the context of future international cooperation with Flemish universities: this
new cooperation framework could include:
Functioning as the central node of a technological network for the improvement of distance education
within Cuban HE; including training academic staff in the use of ICT and the creation and
development of laboratories for the production of educational materials;
Providing a platform for the development of joint doctoral programmes based on the scientific links
already established between academics in UCLV and Flanders as well as the laboratory infrastructure
already installed in the UCLV under the IUC programme;
Transferring to other universities the pedagogical model adopted in the Centre for Advanced English
Language Training for International Collaboration (CAELTIC) for improving quality in English
language communication and writing for academic and scientific purposes, including the training of
English teachers from other HEIs;
Training of academic and administrative staff from other HEI on Project Cycle Management (PCM);
Human resource development in the area of ICT systems and administration and informatics;
Hosting ICT services and applications (for example, Web Hosting, Virtualization-VPS cluster
computing, etc.) to many universities and centres of the national HE network.
In addition to UCLV’s own proposals there is clearly a role, building upon VLIR-UOS supported
interventions to date, for UCLV as active coordinator of a national food security network to meet the
goals of MES (see paragraphs 0 and 0).
3.11.Universidad de Cienfuegos (UCF)
UCF is a small, local university in Cienfuegos province in Central Cuba and its activities are mainly
focused on contributing to provincial economical and social development. The university plays an
active role in training and advising the main enterprises and industries of the territory (thermoelectric
industry, electrical energy production, oil refining, sugar industry, fishing, coffee, citrus, cement and
fertilisers).
In the context of the current identification mission, the main strength of the university lies in the Centro
de Estudios de Energía y Medio Ambiente (CEEMA) which was until recently participating in a VLIRUOS OI. This research centre develops research in energy efficiency, and it has as a primary
objective human resource development in rational energy use and conservation of the environment,
training personnel from energy organisations across Cuba. The CEEMA coordinates the energy
efficiency network of the Cuban HE system.
UCF has developed good cooperation links with other Cuban universities, especially with institutions
in the Central and Eastern regions and the institution has cooperation links with universities and
institutions in Canada and Spain and participates in several Latin American networks and projects.
CEEMA coordinates the Ibero-American network on the management of efficient energy (GEESOS Gestión y Eficiencia Energética para un Desarrollo Sostenible). CEEMA was also involved between
2008-2010 in the development and finalisation of the International Standard on Energy management
Systems (ISO 50001) for the International Standards Organisation.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
Other areas in which the UCF has scientific potential are the integrated management of coastal
zones, the sustainable management of cultural heritage and cultural tourism development.
Despite its small size, UCF seems to be well structured and organised, and the rector gave in his
presentation evidence of the solid strategic vision of the institution in terms of academic and scientific
development. Although UCF does not currently meet the criteria required by the VLIR for an IUC
partnership, the university would be a valid stakeholder in cooperation initiatives with Flemish
universities in its specialist areas.
3.12.UNDP Representation in Cuba
UNDP in Cuba has five main areas of intervention: local human development, food security,
prevention of natural disasters and mitigation of risks, environment and energy for sustainable
development, and Prevention of HIV/AIDS. Some universities participate in local projects funded by
UNDP but in general participation of HEIs in the initiatives promoted by the different bodies of the UN
in Cuba is still limited.
The Resident Coordinator expressed her interest in fostering the greater involvement of universities in
UNDP projects, considering them as key stakeholders for the implementation of sustainable projects.
She also expressed her interest for maintaining links with the VLIR-UOS with the objective of
identifying potential areas of joint cooperation in the future.
3.13.Universidad de la Habana (UH)
Founded in 1728 the UH is undoubtedly the strongest of the Cuban HEIs from any perspective. Its
size and national scope and the recognised quality and professionalism of its academics and
researchers in Cuba and abroad are its best credentials, though it suffers from poorly resourced and
poorly maintained facilities and infrastructure in common with other HEIs. UH already receives
considerable external funds through its many international cooperation initiatives (including three
VLIR-UOS OIs). UH is made up of many different and quite autonomous faculties, centres and units,
and there was little evidence of clear governance and management, including whole institutional
policies and strategic vision.
UH could not be considered as a candidate for an IUC programme, because of its location and
existing strengths in international and national investment. However, the diversity of research lines
developed in a multi-disciplinary approach by its 18 faculties and 15 research centres would allow the
university to be a key stakeholder in many cooperation themes identified. In the context of the current
identification mission, UH’s potential involvement could be considered in departmental/research
centre level projects in the following areas:
Environment: climate change, biodiversity, renewal energy and coastal zone management through
the involvement of the Faculties of Chemistry and Biology, the Centro de Investigaciones Marinas
(CIM), the Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de los Materiales (IMRE), the Centro de Biomateriales
(BIOMAT) and the Centro de Estudios de Medio Ambiente (CEMA).
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
Public Health: preventative medicine through the involvement of the Faculty of Biology and the
Instituto de Farmacia y Alimentos (IFAL) and the Centro de Estudios de Salud y Bienestar Humano
(CESBH).
ICT and applications: artificial intelligence and computer sciences, bioinformatics, statistics and
biostatistics through the involvement of the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Sciences.
3.14.Title level 2 Instituto Superior Politecnico Jose
Antonio Echeverría (ISPJAE)
ISPJAE is the largest technical university in Cuba and coordinates national collaboration in this field
within the HE System. It has six faculties and 10 research centres. While there are evident problems
of renewal and maintenance of equipment and facilities on the ISPJAE campus, the institution is
recognised for the quality of its teaching and research staff as well as for its active and diverse links
with the productive sector, providing assistance to a wide network of enterprises and industries
throughout the country. The institution has an active policy of internationalisation which is evidenced
through its participation in international projects and networks with many institutions in Europe and
Latin America (including two VLIR-UOS OIs and three South Initiatives).
While ISPJAE is not a candidate for an IUC programme because of the regional priority and strength
of its existing international and national programmes , in the context of the current identification
mission, the potential involvement of the ISPJAE should be considered in projects in the following
areas:
Environment: clean technology and production, clean and efficient energy and renewable energy
through the involvement of the Technology Department of the Architecture Faculty, the Geosciences
Department of the Faculty of Civil Engineering and the Centro de Estudios de Tecnologias
Energeticas Renovables (CETER).
ICT and applications: artificial intelligence and computer sciences, bioinformatics, bioengineering,
through the involvement of the Bioengineering Department of the Faculty of Electric Engineering and
the Centro de Estudios de Ingeniería de Sistemas (CEIS).
3.15.Universidad de Ciencias Informaticas (UCI)
UCI was created on the site of a former Russian military base in 2002 as an initiative of Fidel Castro
with the twin objectives of training Informatics Science professionals, highly committed to the
development of the country, and the production of software and informatics services based on the
study-work pedagogical model, serving as a support for the development of the Cuban software
industry. UCI was developed under the control of the Ministry of Communications, but its transfer to
the MES is currently underway.
This institution has been provided with excellent facilities and the technological infrastructure and
equipment reach far higher standards than most other HEIs in Cuba. Considering that this is a
national and governmental priority institution it is remarkable that only national students have been
enrolled in its courses since its foundation. Most of the software and services produced by its students
have been developed for Cuban and Venezuelan organisations.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
Despite its impressive infrastructure, UCI remains a weak institution in terms of its academic and
scientific potential. The number of PhD among its teaching staff is very low in comparison with other
technical universities of the country and most of the members of the academic staff are former
students of the institution. Nonetheless, the university seems to have a good strategy for resolving
this weakness in the coming years.
It has potential as a stakeholder in future cooperation projects and has offered its facilities as a host of
a national centre for postgraduate training on informatics and computer sciences, possibly in
collaboration with UCLV (see Error! Reference source not found.). At this stage, this seems to be
an excellent way of involving UCI in the future VLIR-UOS programmes in Cuba.
3.16.Universidad Agraria de La Habana (UNAH) and the
Centro Nacional de Sanidad Agropecuaria (CENSA)
UNAH, CENSA, ICA and INCA integrate a specialist academic and scientific national centre of
excellence. This group of institutions has a leading role in the implementation of national policies in
the agricultural sector, and these institutions coordinate most of the academic and scientific networks
within the HE system. At the same time, the institutions work closely with the Ministry of Agriculture as
well as with other research and production institutions related to this economical sector.
The university and three research centres have built a good cooperation network with academic and
scientific institutions in Latin America and Europe and collaborate with international organisations and
NGOs in the implementation of different projects in fields like the rural development and food
production.
Of particular significance is a pilot project on local management and development of agricultural
production that UNAH began to implement recently in the new provinces of Mayabeque and Artemisa
(territories of the former Province of Habana). This pilot project is a result of the new economic policy
implemented by the national government to empower the private sector and decentralised the
national economy. Through this project the UNAH is experimenting new models for the organisation of
the agricultural sector. The project includes training and advice to local governments (municipalities),
cooperatives and local producers on agricultural business management.
Among the main lines of research developed in a coordinated scheme by the 4 centres are:

Sustainable rural development

Sustainable agricultural production

Plant health

Animal health

Animal and plant biotechnology

Animal reproduction

Genetics and animal breeding

Nutrition and bio-fertilisation plant

Production and quality of milk and meat
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report

Soil management

Conservation of soil, water and genetic resources

Development and production of diagnostic kits and drugs for veterinary and agriculture use

Development of technologies for pest management

Applied bioinformatics
Considering the definition of food security and agricultural production as the biggest national priority,
the involvement of the four institutions that make up UNAH in any projects implemented in this area
would be relevant and a significant strength. UNAH has a long history of collaboration and
cooperation with Flemish universities including several OIs.
3.17.Officina del Historiador de la Ciudad de La Habana
(OHCH)
OHCH is the coordinating institution of a unique project in Cuba, for its implementation the National
Government gave facilities to the OHCH: under the auspices of the government an entire business
system has been established that has allowed the architectural and cultural rehabilitation of the Old
Colonial Havana (declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982). Consequently, for the
implementation of this socio-cultural project, the OHCH has been gradually creating a wide network of
infrastructures (hotels, restaurants, cafeterias, shops, real estate facilities, museums, art galleries,
concert halls, etc) that generate significant revenue for the country, which funds further restoration
and about 35% of which is invested in housing and other social programmes for the benefit of the
resident population Old Havana City. Many of the inhabitants of the old city have also been employed
by OHCH. These elements make this project an interesting model of sustainable local development
with the potential for transfer to other regions in Cuba and abroad.
OHCH has excellent cooperative links with UNESCO, UNDP, EU, and AECID among other
international institutions with which it has been working on the implementation of various heritage and
social projects. Considering its experience and institutional capacity in such projects, the OHCH has
the potential to be a key stakeholder for the implementation of any project focused on the SocioCultural and Tourism Development. The existence of a national network of history and conservation
offices in all the Cuban world heritage cities (Old Havana, Santiago de Cuba, Trinidad, Cienfuegos
and Camaguey) may be of great assistance for the development of sustainable projects in this field.
3.18.UNESCO Regional Office for Culture, Havana
The UNESCO Office in Havana implements diverse programmes in Cuba and other Latin America
countries in the global programme areas of UNESCO, including culture, education and natural
sciences. The Havana office is the Regional Office for Culture in Latin America and the Caribbean. Its
work seeks to directly address the countries development priorities. The office implements its projects
in close coordination with the National Commissions for UNESCO, governmental agencies and
numerous institutions at regional, national and local level as well as with a large number of NGOs.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
HE is not a priority programme area for UNESCO (globally). Nonetheless, reasonable contacts exist
with MES and UH, which coordinates three of the six UNESCO Chairs in Cuba, (University
Management, Information Management in Organisations and Biomaterials). Other important UNESCO
Chairs are being established in Cuba on Integrated Conservation Sciences for Cultural and Natural
Property, coordinated by the National Centre for Conservation, Restoration and Museology
(CENCREM), and on Culture and Development coordinated by the National Training Centre for
Culture (both centres belong to the Ministry of Culture).
During the meeting it was agreed that potential exists for cooperation with Flemish and Cuban
universities in a VLIR-UOS programme or projects in the area of sustainable management of cultural
heritage, particularly in a joint programme of training of human resources on the management of
cultural heritage, for which UNESCO will develop a preliminary proposal and ideas.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
4. Mission Findings and Accomplishments
4.1. Higher education and research: status and policy
environment
4.1.1.
University extension
Four basic principles underpin HE in Cuba, namely:
1) a broad profile curricula, with two leading ideas:

the combination of instruction and education,

a close link between studies and work;
2) continuing education in all fields of knowledge;
3) research as an integral part of the university mission;
4) university extension (that is, into the local communities) as the integrating process of
university work.
Since the year 2000 significant moves have been made to broaden access to HE for the least
favoured social sectors. These initiatives include HEIs opening a number of university extension
‘campuses’ throughout all municipalities to increase access and reduce the dropout rate among
working and part-time students, accompanied by investment in distance education methods and
modalities. A close relationship is maintained between HE and all of Cuban society, particularly with
local communities, for whom undergraduate and postgraduate programmes are offered to meet the
needs of a specific productive sector or of a given region.
4.1.2.
Strategic focus on national development priorities
Research in HEIs and university research centres is required to contribute directly to Cuban socioeconomic development, characterised by MES1 as requirements to produce

Strategic results for high value-added and high-impact exportable production

Technological developments and results that apply technology for more competitive traditional
production

Innovative technological results to develop and revitalise local and industrial economies.
In MES strategic planning to 20152 the priority areas for institutional international cooperation match
the broad national development priorities (see Error! Reference source not found. above) and are:

Higher education and ICT

Biotechnology and medical equipment

Agribusiness and the environment
1
2
La educacion superior en Cuba. Presentation by MES at the VLIR-UOS Seminar, Havana 17th October 2011
ibid
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report

Industry and energy

Basic and social sciences
Also in line with national development priorities, MES places emphasis on the development of
institutional capacity, doctoral programmes and research and innovation in institutions in the Eastern
region of Cuba, although activities supported by international cooperation in Eastern institutions would
also benefit other MES HEIs in the national network (see paragraph 4.1.4).
4.1.3.
Governance and sustainability in MES HEIs
University and other HEI rectors are responsible directly to the MES (and Vice Ministers). They are
appointed by a Ministerial resolution. Within the decision-making structure of the MES, rectors are at
the same level of the Directors of Divisions of the Ministry. There are no formal governance or
decision-making structures at provincial level, but typically HEI rectors maintain active and close
contacts with the General Secretaries of the Provincial Communist Party and the Presidents of the
Provincial Governments. In many cases, these officials are members of the HEI Governmental
Executive Boards.
4.1.4.
Collaboration and networking in HE and research
Academic and research collaboration, including joint curriculum development for masters course,
information sharing and skills transfer, is one of the strengths of the Cuban HE system, and indeed is
a mandatory requirement for MES institutions. MES HEIs are all part of a MES university network
(“Reduniv”) and there are also thematic networks maintained by individual HEIs on behalf of the
academic and research community, such as the “RedMa: Portal de Medio Ambiente” (an Environment
portal) maintained by ISPJAE3.
Collaborative activities, beyond information sharing through intranet and web-based networks, email
and occasional meetings are seriously constrained by lack of funds to cover travel costs and poor
national and local transport infrastructure. For example, in the past Cuba HEIs collaborated in an
effective inter-library loan and publications exchange system, which no longer functions.
Apparently recent changes in the regulations have been initiated that should make it possible for HEIs
and staff to be remunerated (in cash or in kind) for their work supporting network activities and on
behalf of institutions other than their own.
3
http://redma.cujae.edu.cu/articles.php?article_id=2
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
4.2. Observations resulting from the interaction with local
stakeholders
4.2.1.
MES views on strategic directions for Flemish university
cooperation
In the preliminary meetings with the Team (see Error! Reference source not found.), Directors from
MES set out and reinforced the Ministry’s favoured strategic directions: these included

Reiterating the national development role of HEIs in Cuba and the particular developmental
priority of institutions in the Eastern region (see paragraph 4.1.2 - 0).

Emphasising the main thematic priorities of a) reducing food security risks and dependencies on
importing food; and b) the environment, in particular introducing renewable energy sources, and
biotechnology, with a particular local role for universities to address specific and locally relevant
environmental issues, such as water.

Reinforcing the human resource development aspects of international cooperation and the need
for a programme to make a significant impact on raising both capacity (numbers of doctorates in
key fields - see Figure 4) and capability (teaching and technical) in key areas. Mobility for
academic staff is the priority, especially for those young academics with Master qualifications but
few opportunities to study for their PhD.

Stressing the need for any programme of activities to take advantage of, and spread benefits
through the national HE and research network infrastructure (see paragraph 4.1.4). It was
acknowledged, however, that network connectivity (both intranet and internet access) is not
evenly or equally distributed among HEIs, and that institutions in the Eastern half of the country
face greater connectivity challenges than those in, for instance, Havana.

Improving skills, competences and facilities for the application of ICT within key thematic areas,
such education, environmental sciences and medicine, is also a MES priority. It was suggested
that this could be supported through a national programme of doctoral and / or masters
scholarships in applied computer studies.
4.2.2.
The impact of budget deficiencies on infrastructure and
facilities
MES provides HEIs with budget allocations for staff salaries, running costs (electricity, water etc) and
maintenance of buildings. These budgets have been declining in real terms for a number of years at
the same time as the number of university sites has been expanding (for example, the development of
outreach campuses and sites within municipalities). Most of those HEIs visited by the Country Team
face significant challenges, such as:

The maintenance and repair of campuses and buildings (many built during the 1970s): wear and
tear from the weather is evident everywhere and aging furniture and facilities in constant use
cannot be easily replaced or upgraded.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report

Reliance on outdated and/or inadequate equipment and materials, for instance, in technical
workshops and science laboratories, in library books and other materials for students, in
computing hardware for administration, study and research.
Capital or special project investment funding is rarely available for those HEIs controlled by MES (and
almost certainly other ministries such as MINSAP), unless it comes in the form of international
cooperation or through other international donor initiatives.
The inescapable conclusion is that Cuba has too many HEIs, more than the country needs
considering its size, population and economic capacity. Available government funds for HE (under
MES and other Ministries) and institutional allocations are now spread very thinly indeed across the
range of institutions and campus locations. The creation of campuses in all the municipalities has
exacerbated the situation, with inevitable and negative implications for quality in education and
research.
4.2.3.
Overall assessment of strengths of HEIs visited
The HEIs visited (with the exception of UCLV) by the Country Team during the mission (see Annex 1
for full programme) were assessed by the International and National Experts against a number of
criteria relevant to VLIR-UOS programming and strategic institutional development. In a subjective
qualitative assessment (low/poor, fair, good or excellent) was assigned to each institution for each of
the following criteria:

Contribution of university to national development

Contribution of university to local /regional development

Active engagement in collaboration within Cuban HE

Active engagement in international cooperation

Institutional management and policy-making

Existing collaboration with Flanders

Accreditation of postgraduate courses

Percentage of academic staff with Doctorates

ICT infrastructure and systems
Table 1 shows the results of this assessment. It should be emphasised that this is a comparative and
non scientific assessment intended as a tool to assist in future planning and not as a sole basis for
decision-making.
UCLV was not included in this assessment as its potential in research and other cooperation with
Flemish institutions under the new Country Strategy is assured and not open to question.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
ICT infrastructure and systems
ISPJAE
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
Fair
Good
Fair
Good
Fair
Fair
UNAH
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
Fair
Good
Fair
Fair
Fair
Fair
UO
Good
Excellent
Good
Fair
Excellent
Poor
Fair
Fair
Fair
UCF
Fair
Good
Fair
Fair
Good
Fair
Fair
Poor
Fair
UC
Fair
Good
Fair
Low
Fair
Low
Fair
Low
Fair
UMCC
Low
Fair
Fair
Low
Fair
Low
Fair
Low
Poor
UDG
Low
Fair
Fair
Low
Poor
Low
Low
Low
Poor
UCI
Low
Low
Low
Low
Fair
Low
Low
Excellent
4.2.4.
national development
courses
Fair
Accreditation of postgraduate
Good
Flanders
Excellent
Existing collaboration with
Good
policy-making
Good
Institutional management and
Good
cooperation
Excellent
collaboration within Cuban HE
Excellent
Active engagement in
Excellent
/regional development
UH
Contribution of university to
% of academics with Doctorates
Active engagement in international
Contribution of university to local
Table 1: Overall assessment of strengths of HEIs visited by Country Team
Internal and external ICT network access
The MES HEIs (and other research centres) are connected to a HE intranet, which facilitates
communication and sharing of research information and resources between institutions, and offers
access to the various thematic and research portals and networks, maintained by MES and other
specialist institutions. While the intranet connectivity appears to be relatively robust in most of the
HEIs visited, it is not clear whether the internal networking infrastructure is the same standard in all
institutions and on all campuses of individual institutions including outreach campuses within
municipalities. Those far from Havana are likely to face particular infrastructure challenges. 4
Local management of the intranet, and of individual institutional resources available on it, appear to
vary considerably between institutions (for example, some HEIs such as UO have developed
4
"Not all universities have the same conditions or the same services, or the same levels of technology, and although
the MES has tried to equalize this it has not been possible. There are universities that have more external Internet
capacity than others, and the truth is that it has not been possible to correct this situation, although we have been
able to help some less developed centres "Quote from Francisco Lee Tenorio, Director of Informatization, MES,
translated from Juventud Rebelde at http://www.juventudrebelde.cu/cuba/2011-10-08/extrana-desconexion-enlas-universidades/
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
comprehensive institutional portals on the intranet through which a range of resources and sites can
be accessed; others are less well-developed). It was not possible in the time available for the Team to
make a proper assessment of research information and resource sharing policies and practice.
National limitations on the existing telecommunications network and infrastructure (progress on
establishing the Venezuela/Cuba undersea cable link appears to have stalled for technical and
funding reasons) have a severe impact on internet access for all HEIs. Bandwidth capacity for an
individual institution rarely exceeds 3GB (UCLV) and very often capacity is considerably lower than
this and unreliable. Systems management practices, which differ from institution to institution, have
an impact on internet access for staff and students. UCLV, benefiting from the VLIR-UOS IUC work
done on systems administration, probably represents the optimal standard for effective management
among the MES HEIs.
UCI is the exception in bandwidth capacity among HEIs, benefiting from significant government
investment in connectivity and infrastructure on its central campus, which allow up to 10GB capacity.
4.2.5.
Staff mobility
There are many limitations on international mobility for academic staff in Cuban HEIs. Financial
constraints and lack of access to hard currency mean that staff cannot attend conferences or engage
in academic exchange visits. Except in the context of an international cooperation project or through
foreign funding grants few HEIs have the ability to pay the costs of this kind of academic mobility. This
is the reason for the MES emphasis on using international cooperation as principally a channel for
opening up opportunities for staff mobility (see 0).
The Country Team also noted the general lack of national mobility among academic staff: very few
staff members, on gaining on gaining Masters or PhDs, move from their home university to take up
vacant or new posts in other Cuban HEIs. Four factors inhibit this kind of transfer of skills and
expertise around the national HEI network:

Cuban society is characterised by a strong sense of community and institutional loyalties and
strong family ties to one’s place of birth, implicitly encouraged by government policies.
Nonetheless, this has not prevented the drift of population from the provinces to the capital city,
Havana;

Until very recently there has been little or no possibility for people to sell or buy houses, thus
facilitating movement within Cuba, though this may be set to change 5;

Mobility within the academic hierarchy – from junior positions up through the ranks to more senior
posts – is constrained across all HEIs under these circumstances; aging professors do not opt for
retirement, so posts rarely become vacant;

Under existing governance structures and regulations it would be very hard for a Rector of a
university to deliberately seek or identify a particular academic from another institution in a
different province to take up a new or vacant post; something which is extremely common in most
countries’ HE systems and which contributes to the renewal and refreshment of academic study
and research within the system.
5
See for example http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/nov/06/cubans-can-sell-homes-home-raul-fidel-castro
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
4.2.6.
Potential for HEIs to develop income-generating
initiatives/partnerships
HEIs in Cuba are financed entirely by the government and at present universities do not have any
institutional mechanisms for fostering research or training associations with industries/enterprises for
commercial or revenue-generating purposes, in the way that these kinds of links are encouraged in
other countries. UCI, under the Ministry of Communications, is the exception in this case, as the
university has been developing products and services for Cuban and Venezuelan clients (including for
instance hospitals, government agencies etc). Though the UCI model of remuneration is not clear the
university has in some way been receiving benefits from the services they have been offering. The
model will undoubtedly be modified within the MES structure.
4.2.7.
Transferring research into policy and practice
The Country Team noted that HEIs all appear to have mechanisms to work with local stakeholders, in
agriculture, energy and environmental conservation, for example, through provision of part-time
distance and on site education and training in municipal campuses, and through full-time programmes
of work-related social and community development.
However, what appeared to be missing in most of the HEIs visited (with the possible exception of
CEEMA at UCF, UH and UNAH) was capacity and programmes to address the transfer of research
findings, outputs and best practice to higher level policy-makers and planners within Cuban national
and provincial government, enterprises and industry. Given that the main challenges in assuring
food security are modernisation, diversification and increase of production, and the new national
economic policy is to empower the private sector and decentralise the national economy, the need to
improve human resource capacity and transfer management know-how at the highest levels would
appear to a priority area for HEIs.
4.2.8.
International profile of Cuban HE
Despite quite a wide range of international donors and stakeholders in Cuban HE (see 0), operating in
the country for most of the last decade, the impact on human resource and research development in
HEIs has not been great. The combined resources available for international cooperation projects in
HE are not large (VLIR-UOS’s contribution through the IUC with UCLV and over a decade of OIs far
outstrips that of any other single donor or country) and the scale of individual projects is normally
quite small – between €20,000-€50,000. The impact has been weakened by the continued expansion
of HE in numbers of institutions and campus locations.
Although Cuban HE and research are widely regarded as being of remarkably high quality
considering the infrastructure and research facilities available in the country, Cuban HEIs do not score
highly in terms of international published research outputs in the form of research articles and papers
(see Table 2). Constraints are recognised as being language barriers (considering that international
research dissemination channels are dominated by English language publications) among Cuban
academics, relative lack of opportunities to collaborate in international research projects and teams,
and limitations on Cuban internet connectivity which constrain academic and research access to
information and research resources.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
Table 2: SCOPUS abstract and citation database 2004-2009: ranking (number published
articles) of some Cuban HEIs among 1200 Latin American and Caribbean universities 6
HEI
Ranking
HEI
Ranking
UH
55
UNAH
402
UCLV
137
UNHOLM
411
UO
183
UCI
422
UMCC
244
UCF
483
ISPJAE
248
UDG
514
UPR
369
UNISS
650
UNICA
387
UG
805
UC
401
ULT
810
4.2.9.
Existing links and contacts with Flemish universities
Flemish universities and individual academics have been engaged in collaboration and human
resource development initiatives in Cuba since 1996. With the start of the UCLV IUC programme in
2003 the level of activity has significantly increased.
6
Extracted from La educacion superior en Cuba. Presentation by MES at the VLIR-UOS Seminar, Havana 17th
October 2011
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
Table 3: Summary of existing Flemish cooperation in HE and research 7
SUB-
Regions
THEMES/AREAS
Partners
CONTENT BASED THEMES
Western Cuba - Pinar
Rural development and
soil systems
Food security &
agriculture
del Rio, Havana and
Matanzas Province,
UNAH, UDG
Eastern Cuba
Food production and
food chain
Plant and animal
Vila Clara, Sancti
Spiritus
UCLV, UNICA,
CIMAGT
Cienfuegos and Sancti
Spiritus
UCF, UNISS, ISPJAE
sciences
Clean Technologies,
Biofuels, Renewable
and efficient energy
Climate Change,
Environment
Pinar del Rio/Havana
Province
Environmental issues
Cienfuegos and Vila
Clara
UCF, UCLV
Vila Clara
UCLV
HIV/Aids
Havana and Cuba
IPK
Pharmacology, drug
testing , medicinal
Havana and Vila Clara
Economic and social
development, cultural
Cultural heritage revitalization of
issues
botanical garden
Health
UNAH
Water and basic
sanitation
plants
Medical statistics
Havana
IFAL (UH), UCLV,
CIDEM
UH
SERVICE/SUPPORT BASED INSTITUTIONAL THEMES
Institutional
strengthening
Research policy and
culture (incl. statistics
Havana and Vila Clara
UH, UCLV
Vila Clara
UCLV
for research)
Educational policies
(QA, accreditation,
language and
7
From PDL’s presentation at National Seminar, 17th October, Havana
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
SUBTHEMES/AREAS
Regions
Partners
communication)
Information culture
Library and information
Santa Clara (+ national
and management
culture development
for library automation)
ICT in education (Elearning & other)
Vila Clara (+ national
for free software)
UCLV
Computer sciences &
ICT infrastructure
Santa Clara
UCLV
UCLV
ICT
4.3. Strategic niches for VLIR-UOS
4.3.1.
Regional focus
The Country Team was given the strong steer from government (MINCEX and MES) that the priority
for development through future international cooperation should be among HEIs in the Eastern
provinces of the country – that is, Camagüey, Las Tunas, Holguin, Granma, Santiago de Cuba,
Guantanamo. Given also the highly collaborative nature of HE within Cuba, however, this regional
focus on the East does not rule out the inclusion of strong specialist partners from among HEIs and
research centres in other parts of Cuba in projects and cross-cutting programmes of cooperation with
Flemish institutions.
The needs of HEIs in the Eastern region for greater internationalisation and human resource
development through international cooperation programmes are evident even without the strong
governmental steer. HEIs in Havana City and the (former) province of Havana are disproportionately
advantaged in comparison with more distant institutions, in terms of many of the factors that attract
international interest and engagement; for instance, transport and telecommunications infrastructure,
links with Ministries and other government agencies in the capital.
4.3.2.
Themes
As HEIs in Cuba are required to focus their activities on the national development priorities (see
Error! Reference source not found.) the Country Team noted broad similarities in research and
development priorities among the individual institutions visited, tempered by their specialist capacities
and provincial location. Five themes for international cooperation in research and human resource
capacity development were identified and validated during the visits to HEIs:

Food security and agricultural production

Environment

Public Health
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report

Socio-cultural and tourism development

ICT and applications
There is considerable scope for multidisciplinary research approaches to these themes: Figure 5
shows potential synergies between the themes and sub-themes identified by the Country Team.
Figure 5: Identified research themes and sub-themes prioritised by Cuban HEIs
Food security and
agricultural
production
Environment
Impact of climate change
Food and livestock production
Soil and water systems
Veterinary sciences
Plant and animal
biotechnology
Clean technology and
production
ICT and applications
Clean and efficient energy
Rural development and
agricultural management
Artificial intelligence and
computer sciences
Coastal zone management
Bioinformatics
ICT and education
Socio-cultural and
tourism development
Public health
Sustainable management of
cultural heritage
Preventive medicine
Community health
Cultural tourism development
and management
Epidemiology / ICT and
health
Flemish priorities and interests
Figure 6 (below) summarises the thematic priorities and research interests (and potential synergies
between these) of those Flemish academics who expressed interest in working with Cuba and
communicated with the Expert Team through interviews or correspondence. These interests were
either based upon

existing or past OI projects with Cuba,

experience of working in the UCLV IUC programme,

contacts or collaboration with Cuban institutions outside of a VLIR-UOS context, or
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report

no specific contacts with Cuba but interest in developing these based on research collaboration
experience in other countries.
As can be seen there is a good match between the identified strategic priorities of Cuban HEIs
(Figure 5) and the interests of Flemish academics as expressed thus far (Figure 6).
Figure 6: Summary of Flemish academic priority themes and research interests
Computer science
Biodiversity
Bioinformatics, computer
simulation, artificial
intelligence
Microbiology and ecophysiology,
food security such as drought or
salinity stress
plants
Cloud computing; electrical
engineering; machine learning
Clean production in industry
Nematology: marine and plantparasitic nematodes
Software engineering,
databases, ontology
Dairy cattle genetics
Drug discovery using antimicrobials
Culture and development
Public health
Microbiology: infectious
diseases; new antibiotics
Pharmaceutical care, drug
therapies
Virology, molecular biology,
diagnostics
Medical biostatistics,
epidemiology
Speech and voice disorders;
acoustic tools for assessment
and treatment
Rural, urban and regional
development; food security and
agroeconomics
Preventive conservation of built
environment, community-based
conservation models
Cultural identity in the
humanities and social sciences
Urban architecture, city planning
and conservation
4.3.3.
Transversal needs and opportunities
The Country Team also confirmed among the Cuban HEIs significant interest and need for action in
three cross-cutting or transversal themes, in which the priority would be institutional capacity
development rather than research, in transversal actions open to any Cuban HEI in the national
network. Three themes were first identified through the activities and results of the UCLV IUC
programme and validated during the mission:
1. ICT and applications

ICT Systems and administration

Statistics and bio-statistics

Learning platforms development
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
2. Language and communications

English language learning and communication

Writing & presentation for academic purposes
3. Information management

Library & information services management

Access to research information and resources
ICT and applications
VLIR-UOS and the Flemish universities and university colleges have built up significant experience
and capacity to deliver transversal training programmes in ICT systems and administration aimed at
institutional management and administrative personnel, both in Cuba, drawing on the experience of
UCLV (see 0 below), and in Flanders. Several Cuban HEIs have already benefited from training
courses and advice delivered under the UCLV IUC programme.
Statistics and biostatistics capacity is an essential part of basic and advanced research knowledge
among postgraduate students, independent of their scientific field. Capacity development in this area
would build on existing experience among Flemish universities (particularly UHasselt) to provide
training and independent learning opportunities for academic staff and teachers by students (building
on the CROSS_STAT project) in a transversal action, as well as supporting the establishment of
masters level courses within specific HEIs (possibly as part of an IUC partnership or departmental OI).
Most Cuban HEIs are developing administrative and academic services using institutional learning
platforms (sometimes called virtual learning environments), mainly using open source applications
such as Moodle. The extension and growth of distance education makes this a priority area for
capacity development both in the development of customised learning platform applications and
services and materials development. Transversal capacity development projects would ideally be
aimed at systems developers as well as academic staff using the platforms for course delivery.
Language and communications
The UCLV IUC project 4A - Capacity building for communication in English for academic purposes in
international collaboration – established the highly transferable model of CAELTIC. This could form
the basis of both transversal actions such as training courses and independent learning opportunities
open to all Cuban HEIs (in for example, writing and presentation for academic purposes), as well as
institutional actions to develop English language and communication in-house capacity in modified
versions of the UCLV CAELTIC (as part of an IUC programme or OI).
Information management
Cuban HEIs face many challenges in the maintenance and development of library services to their
undergraduate and postgraduate communities. While VLIR-UOS support could not prioritise support
to university library per se, Flemish universities have built up considerable expertise and experience in
supporting improvement of library and information services through transversal initiatives (such as
STIMIUC Training at VUB). In Cuba such actions should focus on training staff in library and
information services management related to information and services for postgraduate and research
students and staff, which might include (for example) ICT applications, information retrieval and
database searching, information architecture and the development of digital libraries, information
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
resource sharing within the HEI network, and the development and management of institutional
repositories.
Access to research information and resources is also a great challenge for Cuban HEIs due to the low
connectivity speeds experienced by most institutions, and the high subscription cost of key
international journals and information databases, and exacerbated in the case of some publications
by the restrictions of the US embargo. Transversal activities in this area could include supporting
library and information staff to improve their own knowledge and understanding of the range of
potential sources (both subscription-based and toll-free or open access) in key scientific and technical
areas, and in improving their support to academic staff and research students to become more
efficient and effective in information search and retrieval using internet and database sources.
4.3.4.
Domains
Table 4: Country Strategy Framework summarises the potential domains in which these themes
and sub-themes could be pursued in a programme of VLIR-UOS supported cooperation. It also takes
into account where the Flemish interests lie, as articulated in the North seminar on Cuba and
subsequent interviews (see Annex 6 for the original country framework as proposed at the North
seminar). There is potential for constructive and valuable cooperation at masters and PhD levels,
though doctorate level should be considered the more important of these two, given the problems
Cuban HEIs currently face in student mobility, the relative lack of professors with doctoral
qualifications in many institutions.
There is also considerable potential for VLIR-UOS support to academic staff capacity development
and updating – in relation, for example, to basic research methods using ICT such as statistical
analysis, in laboratory methods and techniques, and in pedagogical approaches, particularly relating
to distance education. This potential area of need could be addressed through either transversal and
institutional programme or project interventions, such as training courses, opportunities for staff
exchanges and placements in Flemish universities, etc.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
Table 4: Country Strategy Framework
DOMAINS
THEMES
MAIN
SUB-THEMES
Regions
/
THEMES
/AREAS
Provinc
EDUCATION
RESEARCH
Multidisciplina
Resea
rch
ry
outpu
research
t
*
*
*
*
*
*
Possible
Maste
partners
rs
Short
PHD
es
cours
es
EXTENSION
Collabor
ative
training
MANAGEMENT
Commu
nity
HR
service
D
s
Internatio
nal
networki
ng and
EFFECT
linkages
CONTENT BASED THEMES
UNAH,
Food and
livestock
National
production
Food
Veterinary
security &
agricultural
sciences
UMCC,
UCLV,
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
UC, UDG
National
UNAH,
UMCC,
UCLV,
UC, UDG
THEMATIC
CAPACITY
production
UNAH,
UH,
Plant and
animal
biotechnolog
y
National
UMCC,
UCLV,UNI
CA, UC,
UO
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
33
DOMAINS
THEMES
EDUCATION
MAIN
SUB-THEMES
THEMES
/AREAS
Regions
/
Provinc
es
National
Environmen
Impact of
climate
Central
and
change
East
systems
partners
rs
PHD
cours
es
Multidisciplina
Resea
rch
ry
research
outpu
t
Collabor
ative
training
Commu
nity
service
s
MANAGEMENT
Internatio
HR
D
nal
networki
ng and
EFFECT
linkages
UNAH,
UMCC,
*
*
*
UO, UCF
*
*
*
*
UNAH,
UC, UDG,
*
*
*
*
UCLV,
*
*
UC, UDG,
UO
management
Soil and
water
Maste
Short
EXTENSION
UH,
Rural
development
and
agricultural
Possible
RESEARCH
Havana,
Central
and
East
*
UO
THEMATIC
t
CAPACITY
Clean
Havana,
technology
Central
ISPJAE,
and
production
and
East
UCF, UO
Clean and
Central
ISPJAE,
efficient
and
UMCC,
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
34
DOMAINS
THEMES
EDUCATION
MAIN
SUB-THEMES
THEMES
/AREAS
energy
Regions
/
Possible
Maste
Provinc
es
partners
rs
East
UCF,
RESEARCH
Short
PHD
cours
es
EXTENSION
Multidisciplina
Resea
rch
ry
research
outpu
t
Collabor
ative
training
Commu
nity
service
s
MANAGEMENT
Internatio
HR
D
nal
networki
ng and
EFFECT
linkages
UNISS,
UO
Coastal zone
management
National
Sustainable
Havana,
management
of cultural
Central
and
cultural and
tourism
heritage
East
developmen
t
tourism
development
Socio-
Cultural
and
management
Havana,
Central
and
East
UH, UO,
UCF
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
UH, UO,
UC, UCF,
UMCC
THEMATIC
CAPACITY
UH, UO,
UC, UCF,
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
UMCC
Havana,
Public
health
Preventive
medicine
Central
and
IPK, UH,
UO
*
*
THEMATIC
CAPACITY
East
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
35
DOMAINS
THEMES
EDUCATION
MAIN
SUB-THEMES
THEMES
/AREAS
Community
health
Epidemiology
/ ICT and
health
Regions
/
Provinc
es
Central
and
East
Possible
Maste
partners
rs
RESEARCH
Short
PHD
cours
es
EXTENSION
Multidisciplina
Resea
rch
ry
research
outpu
t
IPK,
UCLV
*
*
*
*
IPK,
UCLV
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Collabor
ative
training
Central
and
HR
D
nal
networki
ng and
EFFECT
linkages
*
East
Havana,
Central
UH,
ISPJAE,
and computer
sciences
and
East
UCLV,
UCI, UO
UH,
ISPJAE,
ICT and
applications
informatics
service
s
Internatio
Havana,
Artificial
intelligence
Bio-
Commu
nity
MANAGEMENT
THEMATIC
CAPACITY
UCLV,
National
UO,
UNAH,
*
*
*
*
IPK,
UNISS
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
36
DOMAINS
THEMES
EDUCATION
MAIN
SUB-THEMES
THEMES
/AREAS
ICT and
education
Regions
/
Provinc
es
Possible
Maste
partners
rs
RESEARCH
Short
PHD
cours
es
EXTENSION
Multidisciplina
Resea
rch
ry
research
outpu
t
*
*
Collabor
ative
training
Commu
nity
service
s
MANAGEMENT
Internatio
HR
D
nal
networki
ng and
EFFECT
linkages
Central
and
East
UCLV, UO
*
*
*
TRANSVERSAL AND CROSS-CUTTING THEMES
ICT Systems
and
administratio
n
ICT and
applications
Statistics and
bio-statistics
Learning
platforms
Central
and
East
National
UCLV,
ISPJAE,
UO, UC,
*
*
*
SUPPORT,
UCF, UDG
UH, UCLV
CAPACITY
,
*
*
*
*
ENABLING
ENVIRON
MENT
National
UCLV
*
*
*
development
Language
and
communicat
English
language
learning and
communicati
UCLV,
National
UO, UC,
UCF, UDG
*
*
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
*
*
*
SUPPORT,
CAPACITY
,
ENABLING
37
DOMAINS
THEMES
EDUCATION
MAIN
SUB-THEMES
THEMES
/AREAS
ions
Regions
/
Provinc
es
Possible
Maste
partners
rs
RESEARCH
Short
PHD
cours
es
EXTENSION
Multidisciplina
Resea
rch
ry
research
outpu
t
Collabor
ative
training
Commu
nity
service
s
MANAGEMENT
Internatio
HR
D
nal
networki
ng and
EFFECT
linkages
on
ENVIRON
MENT
Writing &
presentation
for academic
purposes
Library &
information
services
National
UCLV,
UO, UC,
*
*
*
*
Central
UCLV,
and
East
UO, UC,
UCF, UDG
Information
managemen
management
t
research
information
Central
and
UCLV,
UO, UC,
and
resources
East
UCF, UDG
*
*
*
*
SUPPORT,
CAPACITY
,
ENABLING
Access to
ENVIRON
*
NEW PROGRAMMES,
EFFECT
*
UCF, UDG
IMPROVED
TEACHING QUALITY
*
*
RESEARCH
EXTENSION
VISION,
CAPACITY,
CULTURE,
CAPACITY,
CULTURE, OUTPUT
STRUCTURES
AND
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
*
MENT
38
DOMAINS
THEMES
EDUCATION
MAIN
SUB-THEMES
THEMES
/AREAS
Regions
/
Provinc
es
Possible
Maste
partners
rs
ETC.
RESEARCH
Short
PHD
cours
es
EXTENSION
Multidisciplina
Resea
rch
ry
research
outpu
t
Collabor
ative
training
OUTPUT
Commu
nity
service
s
MANAGEMENT
Internatio
HR
D
nal
networki
ng and
EFFECT
linkages
PRACTICES,
PROCEDURES
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
39
4.3.5.
Collaboration within networks
The MES has strongly emphasised the importance of academic networks within Cuba through which
the benefits of international cooperation are shared between HEIs and national collaboration in
research is encouraged (see Error! Reference source not found.). The Country Team also strongly
advocate a network strategy for VLIR-UOS support and Flemish cooperation with Cuban HEIs,
building in particular on the strengths and achievements of the UCLV IUC programme in developing
capacity and skills at UCLV itself, and the Flemish contacts with other institutions that have resulted.
UCLV as coordinator of network cooperation
MES supports a ‘Network University Cooperation Project’ through UCLV, and has made particular
reference to such a role in ICT, leadership training, English language training and possibly other
national network support. MES also wishes to see a strong national network developed around the
issues of food security (see paragraph 0).
UCLV has itself proposed a number of network service areas in which it could take a leading role (see
Error! Reference source not found.) and the Country Team experts fully endorse these proposals.
A greater research coordination and support role for UCLV could also exist in the area of food
security, offering biotechnology laboratory facilities and expertise to institutions in the Central and
Eastern regions.
Whatever options are chosen or taken up, the principles that underlie the network coordination role
must include:

Avoiding unnecessary duplication of investment on the part of VLIR-UOS, for example, in
laboratory equipment where possibilities exist to share facilities already established at UCLV;

Building on the existing expertise of UCLV academic and other staff that have benefited from
capacity development under the IUC programme, to extend these benefits to other institutions in
key skills areas, such as laboratory management and technicians, ICT systems and
administration;

Ensuring that UCLV itself is remunerated in an appropriate way for developing and delivering its
services and support to ensure that its own capacity and ability to develop does not suffer.
4.3.6.
Partnership modalities (portfolio of intervention types)
Cuban HE offers Flemish partners an extremely wide and diverse range of research cooperation
opportunities within the thematic priority areas (see Error! Reference source not found.), and can
ensure the availability of high quality and dedicated academic research staff and students in these
areas, though research facilities and infrastructure are somewhat lacking. Cuban HE therefore has
the potential to benefit from the fullest range of partnership and cooperation modalities.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
39
Table 5: Summary of potential in various partnership modalities
Level
Remarks
Because of culture and practice of national HE networking and sharing of
capacity development and achievements, transversal programmes have great
potential, particularly in the areas defined by the mission (0). There is a slight
National/transversal
risk that the need for and practice of skills transfer could overwhelm the
Flemish and Cuban resources and capacity to deliver at the expense of more
mutually important research cooperation projects, and this should be
monitored closely.
The potential UCLV support network (see 0) could offer a ‘menu’ of services
Institutional but network based
and support to individual HEIs (both those involved directly in VLIR-UOS
projects and others in the national network), which could be drawn on and
remunerated appropriately through VLIR-UOS and / or MES modalities.
Given the national priorities on regional development and subject focus, there
Institutional
is general consensus that only one institution among has the potential to
develop and cooperate in a full IUC Programme.
Among the MES HEIs there are several with highly effective and expert
Faculties and research Centres that have considerable potential to develop
joint research proposals with Flemish partners (some building on existing OIs)
Sub institutional
(see section 3). VLIR-UOS might consider reflecting this potential by
balancing the overall country allocation in favour of slightly reducing the
anticipated IUC programme allocation and thus providing an expanded
allocation for individual joint research project proposals in a regional or
country-wide competitive application process.
The MES has expressed interest in a national programme of scholarships in
some key fields, to directly address the lack of student mobility among young
Individual (scholarships)
academics and postgraduate students (see 4.2). These key fields and
standards for qualification for awards should be selected very carefully – the
national need is great and far outstrips VLIR-UOS resources.
4.3.7.
Non-academic partners and stakeholders
Within the thematic priority area of socio-cultural and tourism development (see Figure 5) there is
considerable potential to collaborate with several non-academic partners in research projects that
would directly impact on the lives of communities and enterprises: these potential partners and
stakeholders include:

the OHCH and the national network of Oficinas Historiadores in the cities that are World Heritage
Sites in Cuba (Old Havana, Trinidad, Camaguey, Cienfuegos, Santiago de Cuba);
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
40

UNESCO Regional Office for Culture in Havana, which has expertise in human resource
development programmes and leveraging external funding to support its core programme areas
such as the World Heritage network and culture and development.
4.3.8.
Potential IUC partners
Within the established government national development and geographical priorities, there is only one
potential IUC partner in Cuba – the Universidad de Oriente in Santiago de Cuba (UO).
4.3.9.
Contribution and opportunities for Flemish non-university
HE institutions
Also within the thematic priority area of socio-cultural and tourism development (see Figure 5) there is
potential for contributions from Flemish non-university HE institutions (for example, the Koninklijke
Academie voor Schone Kunsten, Artesis Hogeschool Antwerpen).
4.4. SWOT analysis of a VLIR-UOS strategy with Cuba
Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Centralised
Changes announced in
the 2010 Communist
Positive commitment
government systems of
Party Congress may
and active cooperation
of the MES in strategic
policy-making, planning
and budgeting
open up the HE system
to greater flexibility in
planning, facilitating
partnerships and
(including budget
allocation) are
budgeting and
revenue-generation
problem-solving.
bureaucratic and
opaque.
through service
delivery and product
Threats
Change is a slow and
relatively unpredictable
process in Cuba.
development.
As international
research moves more
Very poor national
internet connectivity
and more to the digital
and online modalities
has and continues to
constrain HE and
the gap between
Cuban research
research in many
different ways.
capacity and
knowledge base and
that of other countries
is widening
Cuban HE and
Widening access to HE
A pool of expert and
Standards in basic
research benefits from
has weakened
committed academics
education have slipped
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
41
many decades of high
basic education
educational quality and
put great strain on HE
are currently available
and enthusiastic to
during the past decade
and it may be difficult
standards and the HEI
and research
develop joint research
for Cuba to sustain
intake of students have
been well-educated
infrastructure, facilities
and budgets.
activities.
educational quality
throughout the system
and dedicated to
achieving educational
in the coming years.
and research goals
The national HE and
research networks
coordinated by MES
and individual HEIs,
and the culture of
collaboration; provide a
strong framework for
research and training
cooperation and skills
transfer.
The networks exist but
actual operations and
active sharing of
capacity and resources
VLIR-UOS can make a
is severely constrained
by lack of connectivity,
significant (but
focused) contribution
money and transport
around the country.
using these established
networks.
Outside of Havana
these problems
escalate.
The success of the
UCLV IU Programme
There is a long history
and the extensive
contacts and links
of effective research
cooperation and
already fostered with
Cuban academics in
scholarly exchange
the Eastern region of
between HEIs in Cuba
and Flemish
the country through the
UCLV projects provide
institutions.
a good basis for new
initiatives and
collaborative
networking.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
42
5. Lessons Learned
From the Cuba mission a number of lessons emerged about the organisation and implementation of
the VLIR-UOS Country Strategy Formulation process.
5.1. Strong national experts
The need for a strong and experienced national expert in the organisation and implementation of the
country mission is evident from the Cuba experience. The Cuba mission benefited greatly from the
knowledge and in-country contacts of the National Expert, particularly in establishing good links with
government, deciding on priorities for the visits and providing informed local context and background
to the rest of the Country Team.
In Cuba the MES provided excellent support to organisation and facilitation of the mission, but not all
Country Strategy teams will be so well-supported by central government agencies, making the choice
of National Expert even more important.
5.2. Lack of experience in strategic planning among HEIs
The VLIR-UOS requests the completion in English of a factsheet in advance of the country mission
from every potential partner or collaborating HEI (see Annex 5). In Cuba none of these were
completed in advance and most institutions found it a challenge to pull information together and
summarise their institutional priorities and strategies in this format. Indeed, it became clear from
several of the visits that strategic thinking and putting forward clear, relevant priorities for development
are not generally strengths in the HEIs. Many VLIR-UOS IUC partnerships have encountered this
shortcoming in other countries.
It is more realistic for VLIR-UOS to assume that few HEIs will provide satisfactorily completed
factsheets in advance of the country mission, and that they are unlikely therefore to contribute greatly
to the planning and execution of institutional visits. On the contrary, the completion of the factsheets
is likely to be the subject of much negotiation and discussion between the National Expert and the
HEIs during and after the mission has ended.
These factsheets are important summaries which will be valuable to Flemish institutions in planning
and decision-making once the Country Strategy is agreed. It is more important that they are
completed well and comprehensively than that the information is provided early to inform the mission
visits.
5.3. The length of the mission
The Cuba mission allowed about eight days for institutional visits by the Country Team to HEIs and
other potential programme stakeholders (not including protocol visits to Ministries and other
government and international donor agencies). In Cuba, where there are many good universities, this
was hardly enough. At least one full day should be dedicated to each HEI, if not more, where
campuses and research institutions are widely separated. A one-day visit would allow Country Teams
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
43
to assess infrastructure and facilities, and give a better opportunity to the HEI to put their own case
more effectively. In some countries this may imply visiting fewer HEIs or being in country for longer
than initially planned.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
44
Annex 1: Programme outline
1
Members of the Country Team
Julie Carpenter, Expert in international cooperation
Carlos Alberto Vigil Taquechel, National Expert
Prof. Marc Nyssen, Member of the Bureau UOS
Mr. P. De Lannoy, South Coordinator VLIR-UOS and desk officer for the Cuba Identification
2.
Travel schedule
Saturday 8 October, 2011
Time
Activity
Participants
All day
long
Travel to Cuba, from Porto to Havana via Madrid. Carlos Alberto Vigil
Taquechel (CAVT)
Location
Tuesday 11 October, 2011
Time
Activity
Participants
Location
09h30 –
Meeting at the Ministry of Higher Education
CAVT
MES, Havana
11h30
(MES) with Maria Victoria Villavicencio [Director
of International Relations Division of the MES],
Raul Hernandez Perez [Head of the Department
of Cooperation at the International Relations
Division of the MES] and Eliana Veliz [Specialist
in charge of the cooperation with Belgium at the
MES] to analyse the programme of the mission
and define specific tasks.
Thursday 13 October, 2011
Time
Activity
Participants
Location
09h00 –
Working meeting with Nelson Coda Eguis
CAVT
AECID,
10h30
[Specialist in charge of interuniversity
cooperation] at the representation in Cuba of the
Havana
Spanish Agency for International Cooperation for
Development (AECID).
14h30 –
Meeting at the MES with Maria Victoria
16h00
Villavicencio [Director of International Relations
Division of the MES], Raul Hernandez Perez
CAVT
MES, Havana
[Head of the Department of Cooperation at the
International Relations Division of the MES] and
Eliana Veliz [Specialist in charge of the
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
45
Time
Activity
Participants
Location
cooperation with Belgium at the MES]
Travel to Cuba, from London to Havana via
Madrid.
Julie Carpenter
(JC)
Travel to Cuba, from Brussels to Havana via
Peter De Lannoy
Madrid.
(PDL)
Friday 14 October, 2011
Time
Activity
Participants
Location
09h00
Working meeting with a group of Directors from
JC, PDL & CAVT
MES, Havana
JC, PDL & CAVT
MES, Havana
JC, PDL & CAVT
Ambassador’s
different divisions (Science & Technology,
Postgraduate Studies and International
Relations) of the MES as well as representatives
from other divisions such as the National
Accreditation Board and the National Committee
for Scientific Degrees.
11h30
Working meeting with Carmen Campillo
[Specialist in charge of the cooperation with
Belgium] at the Ministry for Foreign Trade,
Investment and Cooperation (MINCEX).
13h00
Lunch with Koenraad Adam, Belgian
Ambassador.
14h30
Working meeting with Anne-Sophie Houée and
residence
JC, PDL & CAVT
Marie Augouy, attachés at the UE Delegation.
EU
Delegation,
Havana
Travel to Cuba, from Brussels to Havana via
Marc Nyssen (MN)
Paris.
Saturday 15 October, 2011
Time
Activity
Participants
Location
09h00
Travel to the Province of Matanzas
All team members
Havana Matanzas
10h30 -
Working visit to the Universidad de Matanzas
13h00
(UMCC), meeting with the Administrative Board
All team members
of the University.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
UMCC,
Matanzas
46
Sunday 16 October, 2011
Time
Activity
Participants
Location
09h00
Working team meeting in preparation for the
All team members
National
National Seminar.
Hotel, Havana
Monday 17 October, 2011
Time
Activity
Participants
Location
09h00 –
National Seminar with the participation of a wide
All team members
National
16h30
range of Cuban stakeholders.
Hotel, Havana
18h30 –
20h00
Cocktail party hosted by the Belgian Ambassador All team members
for all participants in the National Seminar
Ambassador’s
residence,
Havana
Tuesday 18 October, 2011
Time
Activity
Participants
Location
06h30
Travel to the Province of Camaguey
All team members
Havana Camaguey
13h30 18h00
Working visit to the Universidad de Camaguey
(UC), meeting with the Administrative Board of
All team members
UC,
Camaguey
the University.
Wednesday 19 October, 2011
Time
Activity
Participants
Location
06h30
Travel to the Province of Santiago de Cuba
All team members
Camaguey –
Santiago de
Cuba
14h00 -
Working visit to the Universidad de Oriente (UO),
19h00
meeting with the Administrative Board of the
University headed by its rector, Martha del
All team members
UO,
Santiago de
Cuba
Carmen Mesa Valenciano.
Thursday 20 October, 2011
Time
Activity
Participants
Location
08h30 12h30
Continuation of the working visit to the
Universidad de Oriente (UP).
All team members
UO,
Santiago de
Cuba
13h30
Travel to the Province of Granma
All team members
Santiago de
Cuba -
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
47
Granma
15h00 -
Working visit to the Universidad de Granma
19h30
(UDG), meeting with the Administrative Board of
the University.
All team members
UDG,
Granma
Friday 21 October, 2011
Time
Activity
Participants
Location
07h30
Travel to the Province of Villa Clara
All team members
Granma –
Villa Clara
14h00 -
Working visit to the Universidad Central de Las
19h00
Villas (UCLV), meeting with the Administrative
Board of the University headed by its rector Jose
All team members
UCLV,
Villa Clara
Ramon Saborido Loidi.
Saturday 22 October, 2011
Time
Activity
Participants
Location
07h30
Travel to the Province of Cienfuegos
All team members
Villa Clara Cienfuegos
09h30 13h00
Working visit to the Universidad de Cienfuegos
All team members
(UCF), meeting with the Rector, Juan B. Cogollos
Martinez, and some members of the
Administrative Board of the University.
13h00
Return to Havana
UCF,
Cienfuegos
All team members
Cienfuegos Havana
Sunday 23 October, 2011
Time
Activity
Participants
Location
09h00
Working team for the assessment of the results
All team members
National
and the achievement of the mission during the
first period.
11h00
Working meeting with Barbara Pesce-Monteiro,
Resident Coordinator of the United Nations
Hotel, Havana
All team members
UNDP
Residence
All team members
National
Development Programme (UNDP).
13h00
Working lunch with the First Vice Minister MES,
Rodolfo Alarcon Ortiz
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
Hotel, Havana
48
Monday 24 October, 2011
Time
Activity
Participants
Location
08h30
Working visit to the Universidad de La Habana
All team members
UH, Havana
All team members
ISPJAE,
Havana
All team members
UCI, Havana
(UH), meeting with the Vice Rector, Cristina
Isabel Díaz López, and members of the
International Relations Office as well as some
project coordinators.
10h30
Working visit to the Instituto Superior Jose
Antonio Echeverria (ISPJAE), meeting with the
Vice Rector, Orestes Llanes Santiago, and
members of the International Relations Office as
well as some project coordinators.
14h00
Working visit to the Universidad de Ciencias
Informaticas (UCI), meeting with the Vice Rector,
Angel Vega, and staff of International Relations
Office.
20h00
Departure of Peter De Lannoy
PDL & CAVT
Tuesday 25 October, 2011
Time
Activity
Participants
Location
08h00
Meeting with the Belgian Ambassador to brief on
MN
Ambassador’s
the results and achievements of the mission.
residence,
Havana
08h30
Working visit to the Universidad Agraria de La
JC & CAVT
Habana (UNAH) and the National Centre for
Animal and Plant Health (CENSA). Meeting with
UNAH,
Mayabeque
the Rector, Maria Irene Balbín Arias, and
members of the International Relations Office as
well as some project coordinators and
representatives from the National Research
Centres of this scientific agricultural pole.
11h30
Working visit to the Oficina del Historiador de la
Ciudad de La Habana, meeting with Vivian
JC & CAVT
UH, Havana
JC, MN & CAVT
UNESCO
Office,
Cabrera Perez, Specialist of the International
Cooperation Office.
14h00
Working meeting with Fernando Brugman
Alvarez de Toledo, Programme Specialist and
Culture Team Coordinator of the Regional Office
Havana
for Culture in Latin America and the Caribbean of
the UNESCO.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
49
18h00
Departure of Marc Nyssen
MN & CAVT
Havana
Participants
Location
Wednesday 26 October, 2011
Time
Activity
10h00 16h00
Experts meeting to analyse the documents, make JC & CAVT
a first assessment of the mission and define the
National
Hotel, Havana
basis of the report.
20h00
Departure of Julie Carpenter.
JC & CAVT
Havana
Friday 28 October, 2011
Time
Activity
Participants
Location
20h00
Departure of Carlos Alberto Vigil Taquechel.
CAVT
Havana
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
50
Annex 2: Main stakeholders and contacts
Full Name
Position
Institution
Email
Nelson Coda
Specialist in charge of
interuniversity
AECID
nelson.coda@aecid.co.cu
Seminar
Meeting
X
cooperation
Dr. Tania Rivas
Quintero
Director of the
International Relations
CENSA
tania@censa.edu.cu
X
X
Silvia Hernandez
International Relations
Office
CENSA
silvia@censa.edu.cu
X
X
Dr. Oscar
International Relations
Valiente
Office
CIM
oscar@cim.sld.cu
X
Osvaldo Ruiz
International Relations
Crego
Office
Koenraad Adam
Ambassador
Belgian
Embassy
Marina.Ogier@diplobel.fed.be
X
X
Marina Ogier
Cooperation and
Culture
Belgian
Embassy
Marina.Ogier@diplobel.fed.be
X
X
Marieta Martinez
International Relations
Lavin MSc.
Office
ICA
mmartinez@ica.co.cu
X
ISPJAE
dri@tesla.cujae.edu.cu
X
X
ISPJAE
goyos@tesla.cujae.edu.cu
X
X
ISPJAE
heidi@tesla.cujae.edu.cu
X
Dr. José María
Ameneiros
Martinez
Director of the
International Relations
Dr. Leonardo
Academic. Project
Goyo Perez
Coordinator
CITMA
X
Project Officer of the
Dr. Heidi Trujillo
Dr. Tania
International Relations
Office
Academic. Project
Rodriguez
Moliner
Coordinator
Dr. Royer
Sierens
Dr. Orestes
Llanes Santiago
ISPJAE
X
Belgian Promoter
ISPJAE
Roger.Sierens@UGent.be
Vice-rector
ISPJAE
vrip@tesla.cujae.edu.cu
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
X
X
X
51
Full Name
Position
Institution
Email
Seminar
Meeting
Dr. Francisco
Lee Tenorio
Director of the
Informatics Division
MES
fleet@reduniv.edu.cu
X
X
MES
jluis@reduniv.edu.cu
X
X
MES
jcastro@reduniv.edu.cu
X
X
MES
proy@reduniv.edu.cu
X
X
MES
alarcón@reduniv.edu.cu
MES
nora@reduniv.edu.cu
X
MES
eliana@reduniv.edu.cu
X
X
MES
dri@reduniv.edu.cu
X
X
MES
raul-dcc@reduniv.edu.cu
X
X
MES
peniche@reduniv.edu.cu
MINCEX
carmen.campillo@mincex.cu
OHCH
vivian.cabrera@coopera.ohc.cu
Dr. José Luis
Director of the Division
Garcia Cuevas
for Science and
Technology
Dr. Julio Castro
Director of the Division
for Postgraduate
Lamas
Studies
Coordinator of the
Project Office of the
Dr. Ricardo
Fundora
International Relations
Division
Dr. Rodolfo
Alarcón Ortiz
First Vice Minister
Dr. Nora Espí
Director of the National
Lacomba
Accreditation Board
X
Specialist in charge of
Eliana Veliz
the Belgian
Cooperation
María V.
Director of the
Villavicencio
MSc
International Relations
Division
Head of the
Raúl Hernandez
Perez
Department of
International
Cooperation
Dr. Carlos
Peniche Covas
Secretary of the
National Commission
X
for Scientific Degrees
Specialist in charge of
Carmen
Campillo
the Belgian
Cooperation
Vivian Cabrera
International
Perez
Cooperation Office
Bárbara Pesce-
United Nations
Monteiro
Resident Coordinator
PNUD
X
X
X
barbara.pesce-
X
monteiro@one.un.org
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
52
Full Name
Position
Institution
Email
Dr. Santiago
Lajes
Rector
UC
rector@rec.reduc.edu.cu
Ernesto Perez
Director of the
Cerezález MSc.
International Relations
UC
ernesto.cerezalez@reduc.edu.cu
UC
hilda.oquendo@reduc.edu.cu
X
UC
adrian.cancino@reduc.edu.cu
X
Director of the Study
Centre for Tourism
UC
elena.betancourt@reduc.edu.cu
X
Cogollos
Martinez
Rector
UCF
jcogollo@ucf.edu.cu
X
X
Dr. Juan José
Cabello Eras
Academic. Project
Coordinator
UCF
jcabello@ucf.edu.cu
X
X
Dr. Mario Alvarez
International Relations
Guerra
Office
UCF
maguerra@ucf.edu.cu
UCF
lpomares@ucf.edu.cu
UCF
aborroto@ucf.edu.cu
Director of the
International Relations
UCI
beatriz@uci.cu
X
X
Dean
UCI
yvonne@uci.cu
X
X
Dr. Angel Vega
Garcia
Vice-rector
UCI
vega@uci.cu
Dr. Angel Rubio
Vice-rector
UCLV
arubio@uclv.edu.cu
Dr. José Ramón
Rector
UCLV
rector@uclv.edu.cu
Dr. Hilda
Oquendo Ferrer
Vice-rector
Adrian E.
Director of the Centre
Cancino
for Information
Gutiérrez MSc.
Management
Dr. María Elena
Betancourt
Garcia
Seminar
Meeting
X
X
X
Dr. Juan B.
X
Dr. Lourdes
Teresita
Pomares
Director of the
International Relations
X
X
Castelón
Dr. Anibal
Borroto Nordelo
Dr. Beatriz
Aragón
Fernandez
Dr. Ivonne
Collada Peña
Study Centre for
Energy and
X
Environment
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
X
X
X
X
53
Full Name
Position
Institution
Email
Seminar
Meeting
IUC Programme
Coordinator
UCLV
luishs@uclv.edu.cu
X
X
Vicente
Rodriguez
Dean
UCLV
rvicente@uclv.edu.cu
X
Dr. Alina
Director of the
Montero
International Relations
UCLV
amontero@uclv.edu.cu
X
Dr. Eduardo
International Relations
Garbey
Office
UCMH
egarbey@infomed.sld.cu
X
Dr. Raúl Carlos
Academic. Project
Lopez Sanchez
Coordinator
UDG
rlopezs@udg.co.cu
X
X
Ana Velia
Dominguez León
International Relations
Office
UDG
adominguezl@udg.co.cu
X
X
Sergio
Rodriguez
Director of the
International Relations
UDG
srodriguezr@udg.co.cu
X
X
Rector
UDG
quirino@udg.co.cu
X
UE
annesophie.houee@eeas.europa.eu
X
X
Saborido Loidi
Dr. Luis
Hernandez
Santana
Dr. Roberto
Dr. Quirino Arias
Cedeño
Anne-Sophie
Houée
Higher Education and
Regional Programmes
EU-AL
Marie Augouy
Attaché
UE
marie.augouy@eeas.europa.eu
Dr. Carlos Vallin
Academic. Project
Coordinator
UH
carlos.vallin@gmail.com
Dr. Ricardo Seco
Academic. Project
Hernandez
Coordinator
UH
X
X
X
X
Dr. Cristina
Isabel Diaz
Lopez
Marianela
Vice-rector
UH
cristina@rect.uh.cu
nela@rect.uh.cu
X
Head of Projects of the
Constanten
International Relations
Office
UH
Dr. Vivian
Academic. Project
UH
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
X
X
X
54
Full Name
Position
Institution
Email
Sistach
Coordinator
Dr. Roberto
Academic. Project
Gonzalez Sousa
Coordinator
Dr. Roberto
Vizcón Toledo
Jorge Alpizar
Muní
UH
rgsousa@geo.uh.cu
X
Vice-rector
UMCC
roberto.vizcon@umcc.cu
X
Director of the
International Relations
UMCC
jorge.alpizar@umcc.cu
Rector
UMCC
miguel.sarraf@umcc.cu
Director of the
International Relations
UNAH
mabelin@isch.edu.cu
X
X
UNAH
mruiz@isch.edu.cu
X
X
Rector
UNAH
irene@isch.edu.cu
X
Dr. Adianez
Taboada Zamora
Vice-rector
UNAH
taboada@isch.edu.cu
X
Herman van
Hooff
Director
UNESCO
h.van-hooff@unesco.org.cu
X
UNESCO
f.brugman@unesco.org
X
UNESCO
mj.llivina@unesco.org
X
UNISS
oromero@bibliocuss.suss.co.cu
X
Director of the
International Relations
UNISS
osmaira@bibliocuss.suss.co.cu
X
Rector
UO
rectororiente@consejo.uo.edu.cu
UO
dri@ri.uo.edu.cu
Miguel Sarraff
Gonzalez
Dr. Mabelin
Armenteros
Amaya
Dr. Maria Elena
Academic. Project
Ruiz
Coordinator
Dr. Maria Irene
Balbín Arias
Seminar
X
Meeting
X
X
Programme Specialist
Fernando
Brugman
and Culture Team
Coordinator
Miguel Llivina
Education Programme
Officer
Dr. Osvaldo
Academic. Project
Romero Romero
Coordinator
Dr. Osmaira
Mendez
Hernandez
Dr. Martha Mesa
Valenciano
Luisa Villafruela
Director of the
Loperena MSc.
International Relations
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
X
X
X
X
55
Full Name
Position
Institution
Email
Dr. Liliana
Gomez Luna
Head of Science and
Technology
UO
vrip@consejo.uo.edu.cu
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
Seminar
Meeting
X
56
Annex 3: Cuba strategy summary status report
1. VLIR-UOS country strategy formulation process
On behalf of the Flemish HE institutes, VLIR-UOS manages a government funded programme
directed at partnerships in the context of university cooperation for development. Currently, VLIR-UOS
is in the process of formulating strategies for 20 partner countries. Country strategies are policy
documents that will guide funding decisions of VLIR-UOS and allow for strategic impact based on
programme coherence and contextual relevance. The Cuba strategy will be finalised by the end of
2011, and serve as a reference for a 2013-2018 strategic programme based on a 2012 call for
proposals.
VLIR-UOS funds partnerships of willing academics (Flemish academics offer their time on a voluntary
basis) on themes that are developmentally relevant and result from a shared interest. Interventions
may be in the form of scholarships are projects at institutional or sub-institutional level. Capacity
development aimed at furthering the ability of HE institutions to serve as actors in development, is at
the centre of the VLIR-UOS programme.
In the past months, the Flemish areas of interest in working with Cuba have been captured (supply
side). The planned identification mission, is meant to identify the needs (demand side) and identify
(thematic, regional, institutional) the space and opportunities for both to match. Need identification will
be done through visits to pre-selected HE institutions, authorities and other stakeholders. In addition,
the hosting of a local seminar will allow for further inputs and discussions.
STRATEGIC NICHE
FOR
PROGRAMMING
SUPPLY
NEEDS
2. Desk study
The preparatory work consisted of a survey of Northern and Southern institutions and a desk study of
various Cuban and international (policy) documents. Among other, The Ministry of Higher Education
(MES) –international cooperation department (DCI), the Ministry of Foreign Trade and International
Cooperation and investment (MINCEX) were contacted, as also a number of Cuban partner
institutions. Also, VLIR-UOS could draw on the findings obtained during 2010 monitoring missions
(Universidad 2010, IUC UCLV follow-up mission) on the occasion of which various stakeholders,
including MINCEX and MES-DCI were visited. In addition, a “Country Day” was organised in the
context of an UCLV steering committee meeting in Brussels in June 2011 during which country-level
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
57
discussions were held with representatives of the Cuban Embassy in Brussels. Early September
2011, further contact on the country strategy identification process was made with the Cuban
Embassy in Brussels, the Belgian Ambassador in Cuba, representatives of EU DEVCO – Latin
America and of the EU delegation in Havana. For Cuba, Belgium and in particular VLIR-UOS is the
lead agent in terms of aid for higher education.
All the information collected, including the results of a survey among academic stakeholders in
Flanders resulted in a draft Cuba Fact Sheet, including thematic/geographical overviews of present
VLIR-UOS cooperation as compared to national and HE priorities. This document, as well as further
information on the preparatory work can be found on the Cuba webpage.
3. Cuba seminar in Belgium
3.1. Overall context and introduction
Some 45 participants representing a variety of different actors, attended the seminar. During the
opening session and subsequent discussion, and among other, the following topics were covered:

The EU provides numerous opportunities for academic cooperation that are currently
underutilised by Cuba, in part because at some stage this was discouraged by the Cuban
authorities. Also, the need to involve Cuban institutes in a consortium makes a linkage to bilateral
partnerships more difficult;

Experience to date has shown that partnerships with Cuban HE institutes are rewarding in
developmental terms (motivation, dissemination through authorities, making a difference)
provided prior investments in infrastructure and human resources are done. Also sustainability is
a challenge in view of limited hard currency;

Joint Ph.D. programmes offer opportunities for academic return, language, access to information
and communication facilities are limiting (transversal) factors.

Big national impact of VLIR-UOS in Cuba; VLIR-UOS most important external donor in Cuba as to
higher education.
3.2. Issues taken up in the various discussions
During the group discussions the participants were asked to report on their experiences in working
with Cuba and to point out opportunities for future cooperation.
Part of the discussions dealt with generic needs and opportunities for transversal support issues in
the domains of English language, ICT in education, access to information etc. In general, the need to
ensure that all clearances are obtained prior to the start of a project in Cuba was very much
underlined. In this respect, a number of crosscutting concerns were put forward as the state of ICT
facilities for hardware or software applications, administrative burdens (procurement, mobility), etc.
Content wise, linkages to the bio-tech valley in Havana could be appealing to all.
In terms of content, the presented strategic framework of VLIR-UOS expertise in Cuba on the basis of
current findings was largely endorsed. A variety of broad overarching multidisciplinary themes are
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
58
covered in the Flemish cooperation with Cuba, but it is clear that Flanders could offer expertise that
would seem to match the developmental needs of Cuba. A number of themes were put forward during
the discussions, as there are: food security and agriculture (including rural development, plant &
animal sciences), environment (incl. environmental management, drugs discovery/medicinal plants,
biofuels & clean and efficient technologies, energy) cultural and human development (cultural
heritage, language and culture, city conservation and planning, human settlements), health
(collaborations with ITG; biomedics and statistics), and computer sciences and ICT in education.
As elsewhere, the choice to invest in already established institutes or rather start from the basics in
less developed institutes is a fundamental one. The latter is increasingly difficult given the output
pressure on young academics. This choice could be avoided by utilising former partner institutions
and stronger academic centres as hubs to reach out to weaker ones. In regional terms, this could
involve using UCLV and other institutions to reach out to potential new partners and in particular to
the Eastern part of the country, thereby complying with the national policy.
In terms of intervention strategy, it was also expressed that a country strategy for Cuba should include
a wide portfolio with a mix of interventions going from national theme-based initiatives, opportunities
for classical departmental/thematic initiatives and potential for institutional university cooperation with
a limited number of partners should also be investigated. While Flemish university colleges have more
practical expertise to offer, calls should remain open to all actors.
As for the national initiatives, further elaboration on the earlier mentioned ‘hub/platform’ function
would be needed so that a framework for national initiatives (hub/twining/networks) could be put in
place. The suggestion was made that these would need to be limited to a number of clearly defined
thematic lines. In terms of IUC approach, the focus should be on ‘making a difference’. This can more
easily be done in regionally embedded and sub-top universities that host sufficient expertise to be
academically rewarding.
The list of South/North of partner institutions with sufficient cooperation potential was also discussed
during the group sessions and were largely endorsed by the group. The visit programme for the
missions will need some further elaboration, but it is clear that a visit to the East and a number of
medium-sized universities in the Central areas would be advisable. In this also the Cuban side would
have an important say.
Dissemination to end users (private actors) deserves more attention but is easier to achieve in
research institutes.
3.3. Conlusions

A close involvement of the Cuban authorities from the outset is important to ensure that
administrative processes and authorisations are obtained and streamlined prior to commencing
partnerships;

A hub approach with focus on specific thematic lines, and a renewed attention for the East of the
country could form part of a possible strategy and deserve further exploration. Theme wise, the
VLIR-UOS domains comply with national priorities;

Further interaction with other players (EU, Spanish cooperation) is required in order to ensure that
capacity is built efficiently;
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
59

The matrix summarizing areas of interest of Flemish academics, is validated as was the list op
partner institutions with strong cooperation potential;

A specific justification for university cooperation for development with Cuba will have to be
provided for, given the fact that Cuba is not among the DGD partner countries;

Input will also be asked from the Belgian ambassador in Cuba, who has always been supporting
university cooperation for development with Cuba, including facilitating linkages with other
interested parties, such as firms, etc.
4. Report on interviews of stakeholders
Out of 94 representatives of universities and stakeholders approached, 23 were actually interviewed,
the majority representing Flemish HE institutions. On the whole, the following 4 broad and interdisciplinary subject areas surfaced: Biodiversity, Public Health, Computer Sciences and Social
Sciences – Culture and Development.
There are clear synergies between these four thematic areas: in particular Biodiversity and Public
Health. Computer Sciences could have applications in several different thematic fields, such as
Public Health (acoustic tools for speech and voice disorders). Culture and Development could be
closely aligned to rural development themes such as agroeconomics.
4.1. Four thematic areas
The Biodiversity and Public Health thematic areas are well-developed in terms of pre-existing contacts
and collaboration with Cuban partners, dominated by UCLV and a number of national institutions,
particularly IPK, and in terms of considerable synergies between the different interests of Flemish
institutions and a close knowledge of what colleagues are doing in particular fields.
Biostatistics and bioinformatics emerges (led by UHasselt) as a potential cross-cutting theme with
significance for all the medical and life sciences research interests, and which could draw on the
previous experience of in setting up successful Masters course in other IUC programmes.
Equally Computer Sciences has potential to develop a number of different applied research areas,
relating to life sciences, modelling, diagnostic and remedial tools. It was mentioned that there are
important synergies between Computer science research and ICT systems development (institutional
strengthening) within an IUC – obvious areas are education (setting up Masters Courses) and applied
tools.
The social sciences/culture and development theme is a new one for Cuba and the interested Flemish
academics lack significant experience in Cuba though they have a number of relevant contacts there
in academic institutions and city councils. Nonetheless, there may be scope for developing this
theme within a rural development context, particularly considering the recent investment priorities in
Cuba of AECID and UNESCO (to be explored).
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
60
4.2. Cross-cutting themes
Language and Communication based on the UCLV IUC Project, and ICT systems set-up and support
within an institution must be seen as institutional strengthening and cross-cutting themes. In the case
of the former, UCLV could provide a model to roll out into any significant new partnership, perhaps
coordinated and partly resourced by UCLV. In the case of ICT, it was agreed that significant support
in both development and ongoing technical assistance would be almost impossible to resource solely
from among Flemish partner institutions, and that other solutions would need to be sought. These
could include
Using UCLV as a ‘hub’
Out-sourcing: internationally and in Cuba.
5. Prevailing themes, trends and issues
In terms of subject areas/themes, the following clusters of Flemish interest have been identified: (1)
Biodiversity, (2) Public Health, (3) Computer Sciences, (4) Culture and Development. All of these
themes can also be closely aligned with regional priorities (more attention for the East of Cuba) and to
rural development. Language& communication, ICT and statistics come forward as clear transversal
support areas where a more crosscutting approach, in some cases using UCLV or other institutions
as a ‘hub’ could be an opportunity.
Among other, the following are issues that the identification mission is expected to clarify:
1. The strategy for higher education in Cuba considering the financial situation of the Cuban state;
2. The impact of the embargo and limitations for certain research oriented projects;
3. Limitations in terms of student and staff mobility;
4. The policy in terms of postgraduate and doctoral programmes;
5. Governance and sustainability at public universities, also in view of the internal audit reports of
the Cuban higher education institutes. Findings may guide VLIR-UOS in terms of working with
higher education institutes in Cuba;
6. The interest and feasibility of UCLV and other institutions to act as a hub for certain research
domains or transversal network initiatives;
7. The manner in which VLIR-UOS could/should complement its strategy with interventions of
AECID and the EU;
8. The potential and feasibility of ICT, language and statistics as transversal support programme;
9. The portfolio composition that would be most suitable in view of the HE context and current
linkages with Flemish HE institutes.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
61
6. Indicative mission programme
The identification mission will be conducted from 13 till 26 October 2011, with the local seminar taking
place on Monday 17 October 2011.
During the mission, the following HE institutions and Research Centres will be visited.
1. Universidad de Oriente (UO)
2. Universidad de Granma (UDG)
3. Universidad de Camagüey (UC)
4. Universidad Central de Las Villas (UCLV)
5. Universidad de Cienfuegos (UCF)
6. Universidad de Matanzas (UMCC)
7. Universidad Agraria de La Habana (UNAH)
8. Universidad de La Habana (UH)
9. Instituto Superior Politécnico José A. Echeverría (ISPJAE)
10. Universidad de Ciencias Informáticas (UCI)
11. Instituto de Medicina Tropical Pedro Kouri (IPK)
The following HE institutions and Research Centres will be contacted in preparation and during the
mission. They will also be invited for the Country Seminar:
12. Universidad de Holguín (UHO)
13. Universidad de Ciego de Ávila (UNICA)
14. Universidad de Sancti Spíritus (UNISS)
15. Centro Nacional de Sanidad Agropecuaria (CENSA)
16. Instituto de Ciencia Animal (ICA)
17. Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Agrícolas (INCA)
18. Universidad de Ciencias Medicas de La Habana (UCMH)
19. Instituto Superior de Arte (ISA)
20. Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas (CNIC)
21. Centro de Ingeniería Genética y Biotecnología (CIGB)
22. Centro de Inmunología Molecular (CIM)
23. Centro de Investigación para el Mejoramiento Animal de la Ganadería Tropical (CIMAGT)
Also, contact will be made with selected line ministries who will also be invited at the local seminar:
1. Ministerio de Comercio Exterior, Inversión Extranjera y Cooperación (MINCEX)
2. Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnología y Medio Ambiente (CITMA)
3. Ministerio de Salud Pública (MINSAP)
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
62
4. Oficina del Historiador de la Ciudad de La Habana
The following international institutions will be visited/contacted/invited at the local seminar:
5. UNESCO
6. UNDP
7. Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional al Desarrollo (AECID)
8. FAO
9. Delegatie van de EU
In addition, the Belgian Ambassador is providing his full support to the organisation of the mission and
will be an important stakeholder during the local seminar. Finally, to the extent possible, other
stakeholders (donors, civil society etc.) will be consulted.
7. Further information and contacts
Underneath please find the Cuba team composition and contacts.
Position
Name
Contact
International expert
Miss. Julie Carpenter
j.carpenter@efc.co.uk
Mr. Carlos Alberto Vigil
Local expert
Taquechel
cavtaquechel@yahoo.com
VLIR-UOS Board member
Prof. Marc Nyssen
mnyssen@vub.ac.be
Mr. Peter De Lannoy
peter.delannoy@vliruos.be
VLIR-UOS South Coordinator
and Desk officer for
Cuba
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
63
Annex 4: Local seminar report (participants,
programme)
VLIR-UOS Strategy formulation process: Cuba
seminar
17 October 2011, Havana, Cuba
Programme
08h40
Welcome.
Maria Victoria Villavicencio, Director of the Division for International Relations of the
Ministry of Higher Education.
Koenraad Adam, Belgian Ambassador to Cuba.
Prof. Marc Nyssen, VLIR-UOS board member.
09h00
VLIR–UOS university cooperation for development and the new country strategy
Mr. Peter De Lannoy, Coordinator South of VLIR-UOS.
approach.
09h25
The International Cooperation Policy and strategic priorities of Cuban Higher Education.
Priorities and strategic opportunities for cooperation with European partners, in particular
with the Flemish universities and higher education institutes.
Dr. José Luis Garcia Cuevas, Director of the Division for Science and Technology of the
09h45
10h00
10h20
Ministry of Higher Education.
Questions and answers session, chaired by Mrs. Maria Victoria Villavicencio, Director of
the Division for International Relations of the Ministry of Higher Education.
Coffee Break.
.
VLIR-UOS institutional university cooperation (IUC) with Universidad Central de Las Villas,
Cuba. Main results and lessons learned in view of future opportunities of Cooperation
between Flemish and Cuban universities.
Prof. Angel Rubio Gonzalez, Vice Rector of UCLV.
10h40
Opportunities for cooperation identified with Flemish academic stakeholders.
Mrs. Julie Carpenter, International expert.
11h00
Group sessions 1 - Generic needs in Cuban HE that could be addressed by interuniversity
cooperation. (2 groups).
Group 1: Capacity Building, chaired by Julie Carpenter, International consultant.
Group 2: The internationalisation of the Higher Education Institutions, chaired by Carlos A.
Vigil Taquechel, International consultant.
12h00
Group reports, chaired by Peter De Lannoy, Coordinator South of VLIR-UOS.
12h30
Lunch
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
64
14h00
Group sessions 2 – priorities in terms of thematic interventions and issues that receive
particular attention (3 groups).
Group 1: Thematic focus: Food security and environment, chaired by Peter De Lannoy,
Coordinator South of VLIR-UOS.
Group 2: Thematic focus: improvement of the quality of life and public health, chaired by
Prof. Marc Nyssen, VLIR-UOS board member.
Group 3: Thematic focus: Social Sciences and Cultural Development, chaired by Julie
Carpenter, International consultant.
15h15
Coffee Break.
15h45
Group reports and plenary discussion session, chaired by Raul Hernandez Perez, Head of
International Collaboration at the Division for International Relations of the Ministry of
Higher Education.
16h30
Closing session.
Prof. Marc Nyssen, VLIR-UOS board member.
Dr. Julio Castro Lamas, Director of the Division for Postgraduate Studies of the Ministry of
Higher Education.
.
Participants
47 participants representing a wide range of Cuban institutions attended the seminar. The institutions
represented were as follows:
Representing the Higher Education Institutions and Research Centres of the MES:
Universidad de Oriente (UO)
Universidad de Granma (UDG)
Universidad de Camagüey (UC)
Universidad Central de Las Villas (UCLV)
Universidad de Cienfuegos (UCF)
Universidad de Matanzas (UMCC)
Universidad Agraria de La Habana (UNAH)
Universidad de La Habana (UH)
Instituto Superior Politécnico José A. Echeverría (ISPJAE)
Universidad de Sancti Spíritus (UNISS)
Centro Nacional de Sanidad Agropecuaria (CENSA)
Instituto de Ciencia Animal (ICA)
Representing the Higher Education Institutions and Research Centres of other ministries
Universidad de Ciencias Informáticas (UCI)
Universidad de Ciencias Medicas de La Habana (UCMH)
Centro de Inmunología Molecular (CIM)
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
65
Representing governmental bodies or international organisations
Ministerio de Educación Superior (MES)
Ministerio de Comercio Exterior, Inversión Extranjera y Cooperación (MINCEX)
Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnología y Medio Ambiente (CITMA)
UNESCO
Embajada de Bélgica
The full list of seminar participants is given in Annex 2.
Seminar overview. Main findings
Four introductory presentations were made in order to facilitate the debate. Presentations were
focused on the definition of the context of a new strategy of the VLIR-UOS for Cuba and the different
project modalities, the setting up of the thematic priorities defined by the MES for the cooperation with
Flemish institutions, the sharing of experience, results and good practice resulting from the
implementation of the IUC Programme in the UCLV as well as introduction of the potential thematic
cooperation niches based on interests already identified by the experts during meetings with Flemish
academics.
A first round of group sessions was developed for analysing generic needs. For this exercise two
groups were created. The main findings of this exercise were:
Group 1- Capacity building in Cuban Higher Education.
Strengths
The higher education system ensures a good cooperation among the universities.
There are some well-structured research networks.
The PhD Programmes are mainly focused on priority areas of the country.
There are scientific poles and research centres working in close collaboration with universities.
High quality of the academic and researchers staffs.
Weaknesses
Several logistics and technology infrastructure problems (ICT, laboratories, equipments,
transportation, communications, buildings and other facilities).
Limited access to databases and updated scientific bibliography.
Lack of culture on information management.
Problems of training in foreign languages, especially English.
Low participation in international scientific events.
Limited resources to the development of post-doctoral training.
Complexity of the process for the approval of joint PhDs.
Opportunities (in terms of cooperation with Flanders)
Possibility of increasing the mobility of academics and scientists.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
66
Possibility of improving the training of human resources, especially younger academics.
Opportunity for improving the scientific production.
Opportunity for integration of joint research and training in priority areas (joint PhDs).
Financing for the improvement of the infrastructures.
Possibility of working together in applications of great economic impact.
Group 2- The internationalisation of the Cuban Higher Education.
Strengths
Experience of the Cuban Higher Education System and its universities in the implementation of
international cooperation actions.
Appropriate system of international partnerships with universities and research centres of all over the
world.
The existence of strategic guidelines for the implementation of international cooperation actions.
International prestige and reputation of the Cuban Higher Education.
Appropriate and transparent use of the financial means.
Weaknesses
The participation of Cuban academics in international networks, projects and events is still limited.
Higher education is not a priority within the international cooperation strategy of the country.
Lack of culture on international cooperation and project management.
Lack of specialized training of the international relations teams of the universities to carry out this
activity.
Lack of information and knowledge on international programmes, calls for proposals and funding
sources.
Lack of motivation of academic and scientists leaders to participate in international projects.
Complex mechanisms to implement projects in the country.
Financial constraints to participate in international actions.
Inadequate infrastructure to participate in major research projects.
Not all the university community is involved in the internationalisation processes.
Restrictions for the development of student mobility actions.
Opportunities (in terms of cooperation with Flanders)
Opportunity to use more efficiently the international cooperation options offered by the multilateral
cooperation, especially those EU regional programs in which Cuba is able to participate.
Opportunity to develop triangular cooperation activities (Flanders-Cuba-Other Latin America/African
countries).
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
67
Opportunity to effectively use the institutional capacity, infrastructures, contacts and experiences of
the UCLV with Flanders to promote new cooperation activities with the Flemish universities.
Capacity of universities of the MES to work on networks, maximizing its potential in different thematic
areas of mutual interest.
A second round of group sessions was developed for analysing thematic priorities. For this exercise
three groups were created. The main findings of this exercise were:
Group 1. Food security and Environment
There is huge potential and diversity within the higher education system for contributing in this priority
sector of the Cuban economy, especially on the improvement of the agricultural production. In order
to consolidate this area with the support of the Flemish cooperation was considered essential:
Working on the improvement and homologation of the PhD training programmes on agricultural
sciences/food security already existed in the Cuban universities.
Developing joint research thematic networks, bringing together the best research groups and
scientists of the country in this field.
Promoting a dynamic scientific exchange (at national level as well as with the Flemish side) among
the research groups working on food production and agricultural development.
Promoting the developing of new joint PhD programmes on agricultural sciences through specific
scholarships.
Group 2. Quality of life and public health
The debate of this group was affected by the lower participation in the seminar of institutions of the
public health sector. Nonetheless, the participants considered as a priority the fostering of research
cooperation bonds in areas such as: preventative medicine, pharmacology, epidemiology, and applied
informatics/software production for medical purposes.
The strength of the national health system was highlighted, in which is integrated a network of
institutions of the MINSAP (hospitals and clinics, medical research centres and medicine universities)
and which covers all over the country including the research departments and units in some of the
universities that belong to the MES. It was also recognised that INFOMED –the intranet Portal of the
National Health System- is one of the best scientific information services of the country.
Considering potential actions to implement with Flemish universities, the participants indicated the
necessity of developing new joint PhD programmes on Health Sciences, Bioinformatics,
Bioengineering and Telemedicine.
Group 3. Social Sciences and Cultural Development
In this group was debated the strength of the Cuban system in the training of social agents whose
mission is to contribute to human well-being of the population. Other highlights included the role of
women in social development (gender approach) and the national experience in cultural heritage
management.
The main priority identified was the training human resources (PhD, MSc and other postgraduate
courses) in the following areas:
local development
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
68
urban and rural cooperatives
cultural studies on the Caribbean context
intercultural communication
comparative studies in history and linguistics
English and other foreign languages.
Special importance was conferred to the training and joint research on tourism development and
heritage management, which is a key sector of the national economic development.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
69
Annex 5: Completed VLIR-UOS institution fact
sheets
Most of the information included in the fact sheets was supplied by each Cuban university. Some
information was added by the experts in order to complete key elements for their institutional
assessment.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
70
1. Basic institutional data
Name university
Universidad de Camaguey “Ignacio Agramonte y Loynaz”
Institutional contact details
Postal address: Carretera de Circunvalación Norte, Km 5½
(Postal, tel/fax, website, email..)
CP: 74650, Camagüey, Cuba
1.3
Foundation year
1.4
Status (private, public)
1975
Website: www.reduc.edu.cu
Public
1.1
1.2
Phone number: (53 - 32) 262336, 261334, Fax: (53 - 32) 261126
2. VLIR-UOS/Flemish/Belgian linkages
2.1
Submitting association
2.2
VLIR-UOS projects (past
VLIR-UOS

and current)
2.3
2.4
Other links with Belgian
actors
Other VLIR-UOS linkages
(scholars, Flemish
students etc.)
Dr. Koen Vanhoof, Hasselt University, Transportation
Research Institute (IMOB), Full Professor Business
Informatics (koen.vanhoof@uhasselt.be)
Dr. Arno
Libotton, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Faculty of

Psychology, Professor (arno.libotton@vub.ac.be)
3. Flemish interest in cooperation (country, region, institution)
3.1
Flemish interest (names
and groups)
Flemish
interest (themes,
-
3.2
disciplines, content,
-
context)
4. University: Summary qualitative appraisal
The University of Camagüey was founded in November 6th,
1967. The Law 1294 of May 8th, 1975, made official the 4th
Cuban university and the first created by the Revolutionary
4.1
Foundation, developmental
Government. From this high education centre, emerge the
milestones, management
structure
Pedagogical Institute José Martí, the Medical Science
Institute Carlos J. Finlay and the Agriculture Institute of
Ciego de Ávila. For many years the campus located at the
Province of Las Tunas was part of the UC up to its
conversion in University of Las Tunas.
4.2
National position,
leadership areas, most
The UC has stabilized its position among the best 5 Cuban
universities.
proud achievement
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
69
Excellent relations with a diverse range of national
stakeholders, especially in the Province of Camaguey and the
4.3
Relationship with
neighbour territories. In this context, a fruitful cooperation is
stakeholders (authorities,
civil society, industry etc.)
developed by the UC in some domains such as Food
Security, Agricultural Production, Animal Production,
Veterinary Medicine, Livestock, Local and Rural
Development, Business Administration and Cultural Tourism
Development and Management.
4.4
Self assessment of
research and publication
ability and output
The assessment of its research activities and publications is
satisfactory, with good results in some areas of expertise of
the university. Nonetheless, the results are still lower than
the academic and scientific capacities of its professionals.

High level of cooperation among the different
organisations, faculties, departments of the
University for the Achievements of the institutional
goals.

4.5
Experience in the implementation of international
actions and a good number of international contacts
and partnerships.
Institutional strengths

Experience of its teaching staff.

Good prestige of the university within the Cuban
Higher Education System and abroad.

4.6
Institutional weaknesses
High level of commitment of its academics and
scientist.
Some buildings and facilities in the campus are not in good
conditions. Poor and insufficient ITC infrastructures and
laboratory equipments for developing academic and research
activities.
5. University: Summary qualitative appraisal
5.1 Budget
% Government
EUR/student
funded
100%
VLIR budget
as %
VLIR EUR
Trend, quality of funding
Reduced institutional
budget
5.2 Staffing situation
5.2.1
Total # staff
2654
5.2.2
Total # academic staff
619 (full time)
5.2.3
% female academic staff
55%
5.2.4
% open vacancies
5.2.5
# Ph.D. Holders on staff

145
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
70
5.2.6
Staff-student ratio
The student-staff ratio is approximately 19,9/1 professor.
5.2.7
Teaching load
5.2.8
Staff turn-over
The average teaching load per professor is 500
hours/academic
year
The
staff has stability
5.2.9
Remarks staffing

5.3 Student body
5.3.1
Total # students
12365
5.3.2
% female students
65%
5.3.3
Trend

5.3.4
Remarks (distance
education etc.)

5.4 Strategic plan
5.4.1
Strategic plan
Yes
5.4.2
Time coverage
The current plan covers the period 2012-2015
5.5 Education offered
Social Sciences
Exact Sciences
Bachelor in
Electrical
Economics, Bachelor
in Accounting,
Engineering,
Bachelor in Tourism,
Bachelor in Sciences
5.5.1
Bachelor (# programmes
and # students)
Mechanical
Engineering,
of information,
Chemistry
Engineering,
Bachelor in Sociocultural Studies,
Industrial
Engineering,
Bachelor in History,
Bachelor in
Civil
Psychology,
Bachelor in
Sociology, Bachelor
Engineering,
Architecture,
Biomedical
sciences
Veterinarian
Medicine,
Agronomics
Engineering,
Bachelor in Food
Production, Agroindustrial
Engineering
Informatics
Engineering
in Law Sciences
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
71
Managerial
accounting,
Management,
Regional
development,
Business
administration,
Management of
5.5.2
Master (# programmes and
# students)
Science and
innovation, Sciences
of Higher Education,
Social Work, New
technologies for
education,
Preservation of the
Mathematics,
Electric
engineering,
Applied
informatics,
Sustainable
Energetic
Animal
efficiency,
Process analysis
Production
of the Chemical
Industry, Civil
Construction
Historical Centre,
Tourism
management
5.5.3
Ph.D. (# programmes and #
students)
5 Programmes
3 Programmes in
Technical
1 Programme
Sciences
5.5.4
Remarks (part time,



distance etc.)
6. VLIR-UOS contact persons (meeting and/or for future communication)
6.1 Contact person 1
6.1.1
Family name + First name
Dr. Santiago Lajes Choy
Postal address: Carretera de Circunvalación Norte, Km 5½
CP: 74650, Camagüey, Cuba
6.1.2
Contact details
Phone number: (53 - 32) 262336, 261334, Fax: (53 - 32) 261126
Website: www.reduc.edu.cu
Email: santiago.lajes@reduc.edu.cu
6.1.3
Academic position
Rector
6.1.4
Title/Gender
PhD, Full Professor/Male
6.1.5

6.1.6
Prior contacts with
Belgium/Belgian actors
VLIR-UOS history
6.1.7
Remarks, agreement future


communication
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
72
6.2 Contact person 2
6.2.1
Family name + First name
Dr. Hilda Oquendo Ferrer
Postal address: Carretera de Circunvalación Norte, Km 5½
CP: 74650, Camagüey, Cuba
6.2.2
Contact details
Phone number: (53 - 32) 266586
Website: www.reduc.edu.cu
Email: hilda.oquendo@reduc.edu.cu
6.2.3
Academic position
Vice-rector for Research and Postgraduate Studies
6.2.4
Title/Gender
PhD, Full Professor/Female
6.2.5
Prior contacts with

Belgium/Belgian actors
6.2.6
VLIR-UOS history

6.2.7
Remarks, agreement future
communication

6.3 Contact person 3
6.3.1
Family name + First name
MSc. Ernesto Perez Cerezalez
Postal address: Carretera de Circunvalación Norte, Km 5½
CP: 74650, Camagüey, Cuba
6.3.2
Contact details
Phone number: (53 - 32) 266839
Website: www.reduc.edu.cu
Email: ernesto.cerezalez@reduc.edu.cu
6.3.3
Academic position
Director of International Relations
6.3.4
Title/Gender
MSc, Full Professor/Male
6.3.5
Prior contacts with

6.3.6
Belgium/Belgian actors
VLIR-UOS history

6.3.7
Remarks, agreement future

communication
7. International Cooperation
7.1
7.2
7.3
Main international
donors/projects/budgetary
importance (%)
Available audit and/or
evaluation reports
Institutional handling of
projects
AECID (Spain), CYTED.
Yes
The university has a reasonable experience in the
implementation of international projects.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
73
The university is member of the following organisations:
UDUAL, TWAS, Ibero-American Society of Electrochemistry,
Ibero-American Academic Council, University Scientific
7.4
Main South-South
networks
Council of Eastern University, Latin-American Association of
Faculties and Schools of Accounting, Ibero-American
Foundation for Knowledge Management, Ibero-American
Association for Enterprises Management, Ibero-American
Association for Quality.
7.5
Major challenges with
regard to international
cooperation
Increasing the participation of the university in international
projects as an alternative for raising funds that allow the UC a
major investment in deficient areas of key sectors for the
development of the university.
There is collaboration with the following countries: Angola,
Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Costa
7.6
Remarks
Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Ethiopia, France, Italy,
Japan, Mexico, Mozambique, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, Spain,
Dominican Republic and Venezuela.
8. Expressed needs, opportunities and modalities
8.1 Institutional Policy (Education, Research, Governance/policies, Service delivery or
institutional support services, Infrastructure)
Improving institutional infrastructure, especially computers
8.1.1
8.1.2
8.1.3
8.1.4
Strategic Institutional
Needs
and laboratory equipments.
Strategic priorities that can
be addressed through
Food production, Biotechnology, Information and
Communication Technologies, Higher Education, Social
academic cooperation
Communities Development, Ecological Studies, Energy.
(with
justification)
Strategic
priorities that are
linked with national
Food production, Biotechnology, Information and
Communication Technologies, Higher Education, Social
priorities in Higher
Communities Development, Ecological Studies, Energy.
Education
Strategic priorities that are
linked with national
Food production, Information and Communication
priorities in development/
Technologies, Social Communities Development.
Ensuring access to new technologies for research, scientific
publication and data bases.
poverty reduction
8.2 Thematic and disciplinary needs/interest
8.2.1
Disciplinary (theme) based
strategic priorities
Food production, Biotechnology, Information and
Communication Technologies, Higher Education, Social
Communities Development, Ecological Studies, Energy.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
74
8.2.2
8.2.3
Disciplinary (theme) based
strategic priorities in view
Food production, Biotechnology, Information and
Communication Technologies, Higher Education, Social
of developmental change,
Communities Development, Ecological Studies, Energy.
opportunitiesof
and
impact
Appreciation
relative
institutional and societal

importance of expressed
8.2.4
Flemish interest
Appreciation
of in
cooperation
with
your
institutional
institution
importance/interest of
The university can be a key stakeholder in potential actions
to be implemented together with the Flemish universities and
expressed Flemish interest
in cooperation with
support of the VLIR-UOS in thematic areas of mutual interest
such as: Food Production, Rural Development, Business
'country'.
Administration and Tourism Development.
other Cuban Higher Education Institutions with the financial
8.3 Opportunities
Appeal factors for
academic cooperation
8.3.1
(Unique Selling
Proposition) (co-funding
etc.)
The institutional policy of the UC considers the
Internationalisation of the university as one of the most
important strategies for its own development. Its main
objective is to contribute trough international cooperation
initiatives to the consolidation of a better academic/research
service to the community.
The best opportunity is on Agricultural Production. In this
field the UC has a very good work and maintains an excellent
cooperation with territorial institutions such as the Provincial
Government, the Provincial Delegation of the Ministry of
8.3.2
Opportunities for
Agriculture and has been fostering in the last few years
cooperation links with cooperatives and farmers. At the same
development relevant
research and societal
time, the UC has a close collaboration with other institutions
of the MES (CENSA, ICA, INCA, UNAH, the Biotechnology
impact
Centres of UCLV and UNICA, UO and UDG) and the CIGB of
Camaguey. There is another remarkable opportunity on
tourism development in which the university has been
developing an excellent work through its Multidisciplinary
Study Centre on Tourism (CEMTUR). In this field it is strength
that the city of Camaguey is considered as one of the five
UNESCO world heritage cities of the country.
8.3.3
Generic needs of Higher
Education that should be
addressed at supra- and
inter-institutional level
Keep working on the improvement of the quality of the
academic and scientific processes with the objective of
maximising the institutional contribution to the economical
and social development of the country, especially in the main
productive sectors of the province.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
75
8.4 Modalities
Preferred intervention level
(institutional programme,
8.4.1
departmental project,
scholarships, mobility,
Institutional programme and academic mobility.
student exchanges etc)
8.4.2
Views on academic
The UC can assure a rigorous transparency in the use of the
financial means received in the context of international
partnership (values,
transparency etc.)
actions as well as a high performance of its academics and
scientists in the implementation of the specific tasks that can
be assigned to the institution within the project framework.
8.4.3
Network or multi
The UC is one of the most complete universities of the
stakeholder strategy and
opportunities
country and has very good collaboration bonds with a large
number of institutions in Cuba and abroad.
9. Overall assessment with particular focus on IUC potential
9.1
Vision, leadership,
governance and
Evident strengths in leadership and management capacity
management capacity and
among senior management team
stability
Institutional policies and
9.2
practices with regard to
local, regional and national
development policies and
multi stakeholder
orientation
Capacity (systems,
infrastructure, academic
9.3
level) to accommodate
academic cooperation and
manage related funding
and mobility
9.4
Thematic congruence with
VLIR-UOS interest at

academic and country level
9.5
Likelihood of effects and
spin offs beyond campus
(community, commercial,
academic networks)
Strong positive community links and established member of
national specialist networks
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
76
9.6
Relative suitability of VLIRUOS intervention types in
Not currently a potential full IUC partner but with strengths in
view of institution status
key areas.
and interest with particular
focus on IUC potential.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
77
1. Basic institutional data
1.1
Name university
Universidad de Cienfuegos "Carlos Rafael Rodriguez"
Postal Address: Carretera a Rodas Km. 4, Cuatro Caminos,
Institutional contact details
1.2
(Postal, tel/fax, website, email..)
Cienfuegos, C.P. 55400.
Tel (53)(43)521521 Fax: (53)(43)522762
Website: www.ucf.edu.cu
Email: dri@ucf.edu.cu
1.3
Foundation year
1979
1.4
Status (private, public)
Public
2. VLIR-UOS/Flemish/Belgian linkages
2.1
Submitting association
VLIR-UOS
2.2
VLIR-UOS projects (past
and current)
Other links with Belgian
actors
Other VLIR-UOS linkages
Centre for cleaner production to contribute to the socioenvironmental development of the province of Cienfuegos

2.3
2.4
(scholars, Flemish
students etc.)

3. Flemish interest in cooperation (country, region, institution)
3.1
3.2
Flemish interest (names
Prof. Luc Hens. Flemish Institute for Technological Research
and groups)
Flemish interest (themes,
(VITO)
disciplines, content,
context)
Cleaner
Productions,
Biomass
use, waste
revalorization,
Prof. Carlo
Vandecasteele.
Department
of Chemical
Sustainable
Engineering,Development
K.U.Leuven
4. University: Summary qualitative appraisal
In 1972 was created as a small campus of the UCLV in the
Province of Cienfuegos. In 1979 was founded as an
Foundation, developmental
4.1
milestones, management
structure
independent higher education institution denominated
“Institituto Superior Técnico de Cienfuegos”. Gradually the
university was increasing the number of students and
diversifying the undergraduate disciplines. It was declared a
university in 1994.
4.2
National position,
Energy efficiency, Local Socio Economic Development
leadership areas, most
Studies, Urban Agriculture, Pedagogy
proud achievement
4.3
Relationship with
stakeholders (authorities,
Excellent at local, provincial and national level.
civil society, industry etc.)
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
78
4.4
Self assessment of
research and publication
In some areas such as energy and clean production some
results have been achieved but in general the results in this
ability and output
field are still lower than the potential of the institution.

Successful projects have been implemented by the
UCF fostering bonds with the community.

Good positioning in the context of the regional
cooperation, mainly within the programmes of the
ALBA Association.
4.5
Institutional strengths

Accreditation of masters and undergraduate
programmes.

Good faculty training strategy with priority given to
the younger members of the teaching staff.

The postgraduate offer meets the needs of the
province for improving the growing of the economical
sector in the territory.
4.6
Institutional weaknesses

The member of the teaching staff holding a scientific
degree is limited.

Lack of scientific culture among the teaching staff.

Insufficient remuneration and recognition of the
human resources

The number of publications in scientific journals is
very low

The economical resources available are very limited
5. University: Summary qualitative appraisal
5.1 Budget
% Government
funded
VLIR budget as
EUR/student
%
VLIR EUR
Trend, quality of
funding
Reducing, even in
Cuban pesos and
100%
foreign currencies
5.2 Staffing situation
5.2.1
Total # staff
831
5.2.2
Total # academic staff
439
5.2.3
% female academic staff
60,76
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
79
5.2.4
% open vacancies
13
5.2.5
# Ph.D. Holders on staff
59
5.2.6
Staff-student ratio
The student-staff ratio is approximately 17,6/1 professor.
5.2.7
Teaching load
5.2.8
Staff turn-over
The staff has stability
5.2.9
Remarks staffing
40 % young people in academic staff

5.3 Student body
5.3.1
Total # students
7728
5.3.2
% female students
65%
5.3.3
Trend
5.3.4
Remarks (distance
education etc.)

Part time education
5.4 Strategic plan
5.4.1
Strategic plan
Yes
5.4.2
Time coverage
The current plan covers the period 2011-2015
5.5 Education offered
Social Sciences
Exact Sciences
Biomedical
sciences
5.5.1
5.5.2
Bachelor (# programmes
and # students)
Master (# programmes and
Programs: 8
Students 3500
Programs: 9
Students 4228

4 Programmes
6 Programmes

2 Programmes
2 Programmes

# students)
5.5.3
Ph.D. (# programmes and #
students)
5.5.4
Remarks (part time,
distance etc.)



6. VLIR-UOS contact persons (meeting and/or for future communication)
6.1 Contact person 1
6.1.1
Family name + First name
Dr. Juan B. Cogollos
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
80
Postal address: Cuatro Caminos, Cienfuegos, CP 59430,
Cuba
6.1.2
Contact details
Phone number: (53 - 43) 521521
Website: www.ucf.edu.cu
Email: rector@ucf.edu.cu
6.1.3
Academic position
Rector
6.1.4
Title/Gender
PhD, Full Professor, Male
6.1.5
Prior contacts with

6.1.6
Belgium/Belgian actors
VLIR-UOS history

6.1.7
Remarks, agreement future

communication
6.2 Contact person 2
6.2.1
Family name + First name
Dr. Alejandro R. Socorro Castro
Postal address: Cuatro Caminos, Cienfuegos, CP 59430,
Cuba
6.2.2
Contact details
Phone number: (53 - 43) 521521
Website: www.ucf.edu.cu
Email: asocorro@ucf.edu.cu
6.2.3
Academic position
Vice-rector
6.2.4
Title/Gender
PhD, Full Professor, Male
6.2.5
Prior contacts with

6.2.6
Belgium/Belgian actors
VLIR-UOS history

6.2.7
Remarks, agreement future
communication

6.3 Contact person 3
6.3.1
Family name + First name
Dr. Juan J. Cabellos Eras
Postal address: Cuatro Caminos, Cienfuegos, CP 59430,
Cuba
6.3.2
Contact details
Phone number: (53 - 43) 521521
Website: www.ucf.edu.cu
Email: jcabello@ucf.edu.cu
6.3.3
Academic position
Project Coordinator
6.3.4
Title/Gender
MSc, Full Professor, Male
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
81
6.3.5
Prior contacts with
Belgium/Belgian actors
Project “A centre for cleaner productions to contribute to the
socio-environmental development of Cienfuegos Province”
financed by VLIR-UOS
Project “A centre for cleaner productions to contribute to the
6.3.6
VLIR-UOS history
6.3.7
Remarks, agreement future
socio-environmental development of Cienfuegos Province”
financed by VLIR-UOS

communication
7. International Cooperation
7.1
7.2
7.3
Main international
donors/projects/budgetary
importance
(%) and/or
Available audit
evaluation reports
Institutional handling of
CIDA (Canada), CYTED-AECID (Spain)
Yes
Satisfactory. UCF had experience in handling international
projects
projects since 1990´s
7.4
Main South-South
ALBA educational network in the context of Latin America
7.5
networks
Major challenges with
regard to international
Cuba is not priority for many international donors or
cooperation agencies.
cooperation
7.6
Remarks

8. Expressed needs, opportunities and modalities
8.1 Institutional Policy (Education, Research, Governance/policies, Service delivery or
institutional support services, Infrastructure)
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
82

Raising the quality of the academic process including
the courses developed in the facilities of the
university located in the municipalities. Special
emphasis should be made in the training of the
government officials and enterprises professionals of
the territory on management and administration.
8.1.1
Strategic Institutional

Needs
Increasing the integral training of the academic staff,
emphasizing on educational and scientific
components.

Increasing the impact of the research and innovation
in correspondence with the guidelines of the
economic and social policy of the country.

Improving university management with the use of ICT
and considering trends in higher education.

Raising the quality of the academic process including
the courses developed in the facilities of the
university located in the municipalities. Special
emphasis should be made in the training of the
government officials and enterprises professionals of
the territory on management and administration.
Strategic priorities that can
8.1.2
be addressed through
academic cooperation

(with justification)
Increasing the integral training of the academic staff,
emphasizing on educational and scientific
components.

Increasing the impact of the research and innovation
in correspondence with the guidelines of the
economic and social policy of the country.

Strategic priorities that are
8.1.3
linked with national
priorities in Higher
Education
Improving university management with the use of ICT
and considering trends in higher education.
Raising the quality of the academic process including the
courses developed in the facilities of the university located in
the municipalities. Special emphasis should be made in the
training of the government officials and enterprises
professionals of the territory on management and
administration.

8.1.4
Strategic priorities that are
Increasing the impact of the research and innovation
in correspondence with the guidelines of the
linked with national
priorities in development/
economic and social policy of the country.
poverty reduction

Improving university management with the use of ICT
and considering trends in higher education.
8.2 Thematic and disciplinary needs/interest
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
83

Environment: climate change, soil, water, forests,
biodiversity, environmental education and integrated
management of ecosystems such as mountains,
coasts, watersheds and bays.

Agri-business: crops (rice and grains), livestock,
urban and suburban agriculture, sugar cane and
derivatives, biotechnology, agricultural health, seeds,
logistics and supply chains
8.2.1
Disciplinary (theme) based
strategic priorities

Energy: electric generation and electro-energetic
power system, energy efficiency and renewable
energy sources

Tourism: management, quality, efficiency,
diversification

Social Sciences: priority issues of the Cuban
economy and society (economic management model)

Scientific and technological services and high valueadded professional

Chemical and Petrochemical

Environment: climate change, soil, water, forests,
biodiversity, environmental education and integrated
management of ecosystems such as mountains,
coasts, watersheds and bays.

Agri-business: crops (rice and grains), livestock,
urban and suburban agriculture, sugar cane and
derivatives, biotechnology, agricultural health, seeds,
logistics and supply chains
Disciplinary (theme) based
8.2.2
strategic priorities in view
of developmental change,

Energy: electric generation and electro-energetic
power system, energy efficiency and renewable
energy sources
opportunities and impact

Tourism: management, quality, efficiency,
diversification

Social Sciences: priority issues of the Cuban
economy and society (economic management model)

Scientific and technological services and high valueadded professional

Chemical and Petrochemical
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
84
Appreciation of relative
institutional and societal
8.2.3
importance of expressed
Cleaner Productions, Biomass use, waste revalorization,
Flemish interest in
cooperation with your
Sustainable Development
institution
Appreciation of
institutional
8.2.4
importance/interest of
expressed Flemish interest
Cleaner Productions, Biomass use, waste revalorization,
Sustainable Development
in cooperation with
'country'.
8.3 Opportunities
Appeal factors for
academic cooperation
8.3.1
(Unique Selling
Proposition) (co-funding
Our contribution will be only in kind.
etc.)
Opportunities for
8.3.2
development relevant
research and societal
Government priorities for socio economic local development
initiatives
impact
8.3.3
Generic needs of Higher
Education that should be
Improving access to ICT and quality of the laboratory
addressed at supra- and
infrastructure
inter-institutional level
8.4 Modalities
Preferred intervention level
(institutional programme,
8.4.1
departmental project,
scholarships, mobility,
Institutional programme or Own Initiative to reinforce mobility
student exchanges etc)
8.4.2
8.4.3
Views on academic
partnership (values,
The UCF ensure the transparency in the use of all the funding
allocated, as well as a professional behaviour of all the
transparency etc.)
academics involved in the cooperation actions.
Network or multi
The UCF is an active member of different thematic networks
stakeholder strategy and
opportunities
within the MES, mainly in the field of Energy. Excellent links
of cooperation with all the Cuban universities.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
85
9. Overall assessment with particular focus on IUC potential
9.1
Vision, leadership,
governance and

Indications of strong leadership and management

In line with national development priorities and local
management capacity and
stability
Institutional policies and
9.2
practices with regard to
local, regional and national
priorities
development policies and
multi stakeholder
orientation
Capacity (systems,
infrastructure, academic
9.3
level) to accommodate
academic cooperation and
manage related funding
and mobility
9.4
Thematic congruence with
VLIR-UOS interest at
academic and country level
9.5
Likelihood of effects and
spin offs beyond campus

High

Not IUC potential.
(community, commercial,
academic networks)
Relative suitability of VLIRUOS intervention types in
9.6
view of institution status
and interest with particular
focus on IUC potential.
1. Basic institutional data
1.1
Name university
Universidad de las Ciencias Informáticas
Postal address: Carretera a San Antonio de los Baños, Km 2
1/2
1.2
. Torrens. Municipio Boyeros. Habana. Cuba
Institutional contact details
(Postal, tel/fax, website, e-
Phone number: (53 7) 835 8200 / (53 7) 835 8205
mail..)
Fax: (53 7) 835 8196
Website: www.uci.cu
1.3
Foundation year
2002
1.4
Status (private, public)
Public
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
86
2. VLIR-UOS/Flemish/Belgian linkages
2.1
Submitting association
VLIR-UOS
2.2
VLIR-UOS projects (past

2.3
and current)
Other
links with Belgian
actors
Other VLIR-UOS linkages

2.4
(scholars, Flemish

students etc.)
3. Flemish interest in cooperation (country, region, institution)
3.1
Flemish interest (names
and groups)
Prof. Ann Nowé, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Computer Science
Department and other Flemish universities Prof. Nowé has
contacted about collaboration with the institution if financing
is obtained.
Applied Computer Science, Business Information Systems,
disciplines, content,
applications for E-government, Bioinformatics, Image
Processing, Virtual Reality, High Performance Computing,
context)
Business Intelligence, Database Technologies,
Flemish interest (themes,
3.2
Computational Physics and Mathematics, Software
Engineering, and Geographic information systems (GIS).
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
87
4. University: Summary qualitative appraisal
2002: Creation of the university: 2200 students, 6 faculties.
2004: 10 faculties, 6000 students. First export software
project in Venezuela (23.8 million dollars) and first national
computerization project. Beginning of software development
projects.
2005: 8000 students. Creation of ALBET (Commercializing
Company). Participation in the organization of “Informática
2005” International Conference with the workshops on
Software Quality and Open Source Systems, as well as
participation in other workshops.
2006: 10000 students. Creation of the software production
poles (groupings of projects according to specialization area
or customer). Implementation of a Master’s Degree
Programme on Project Management.
2007: First graduation (1500 graduates). Creation of the
Direction for Quality Control. Implementation of the second
4.1
Foundation, developmental
Master‘s Programme on Project Management. Publication of
milestones, management
structure
the Cuban journal of Informatics sciences, centered at the
UCI.
2008: Creation of 4 development centres (Health
Management, Identification, ERP Systems and Software
Advisory Centres). Establishment of commercial links with
the German Company Gemalto.
2009: The university was authorized to develop PhD
Programmes. Launching of Nova Operating System,
developed by the university. Application of first phase of a
new training model based on student’s learning from the
software development process.
2010: - Organizational transformation started: Two of the
faculties underwent a merger. Creation of development
centres for the software development process. Centres are
mainly distributed in the faculties and have a degree of
specialization in software production and form a
collaborative centre network. In September two more
faculties merged.
4.2
National position,
The university was specially founded for fulfilling a strategic
leadership areas, most
proud achievement
goal of the country: the development of Cuban software
industry, both for national and international projects.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
88
The UCI has the task of training the professionals in the field
of informatics that Cuba needs in order to develop the Cuban
software industry. The university is also in charge of
Relationship with
4.3
stakeholders (authorities,
civil society, industry etc.)
computerizing all the sectors of Cuban society (healthcare,
education, agriculture, government, industry, businesses,
etc) in order to facilitate the updating of the Cuban economic
model that is taking place. There is also an enterprise
(ALBET) that functions as a commercial face of the
university: it provides integral solutions to several national
and international entities.
The UCI aims at training informatics professionals, as well as
developing research and production of software solutions in
4.4
Self assessment of
research and publication
ability and output
different fields such as Applied Computer Science, Business
Information Systems, applications for E-government,
Bioinformatics, Image Processing, Virtual Reality, High
Performance Computing, Business Intelligence, Database
Technologies, Computational Physics and Mathematics,
Software Engineering, and Geographic information systems
(GIS).
The university enrols students from any province or
municipality in the country. That is why all the students are
boarding students, and all services and enrolment are free.
4.5
Institutional strengths
The working force is used in different roles during the
software development process carried out in the campus and
commercialized by ALBET. As the University has a national
scope, a call can be made to ask for experts to work on
solving problems and working on the production process.
A very young university and having such a massive
enrolment, it has had to recruit a very large number of young
teachers with relatively low professional training. In its need
4.6
Institutional weaknesses
to upgrade its faculty, it has been establishing collaboration
relations with different countries and trying to find partners
for scientific collaboration. In the current academic year, only
45 teachers are enrolled in PhD programmes and 120
master’s programmes graduates are estimated.
5. University: Summary qualitative appraisal
5.1 Budget
% Government
funded
EUR/student
VLIR budget as
VLIR EUR
%
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
Trend, quality of
funding
89
Likely to reduce
as UCI moves
100%
from Ministry of
Communications
to MES
5.2 Staffing situation
5.2.1
Total # staff
6669
5.2.2
Total # academic staff
1798
5.2.3
% female academic staff

5.2.4
% open vacancies

5.2.5
# Ph.D. Holders on staff
5.2.6
Staff-student ratio

5.2.7
Teaching load

5.2.8
Staff turn-over

35
A very young staff that include a lot of former students of the
5.2.9
Remarks staffing
university. The university is focused on the upgrading of its
professionals; more than 250 already hold a master degree.
5.3 Student body
5.3.1
Total # students
7110
5.3.2
% female students
37.6 %
5.3.3
Trend

5.3.4
Remarks (distance
education etc.)

5.4 Strategic plan
5.4.1
Strategic plan
Yes
5.4.2
Time coverage
2011-2015
5.5 Education offered
Social Sciences
Exact Sciences
Biomedical
sciences
5.5.1
Bachelor (# programmes



5.5.2
and # students)
Master (# programmes and









5.5.3
5.5.4
# students)
Ph.D. (# programmes and #
students)
Remarks (part time,
distance etc.)
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
90
6. VLIR-UOS contact persons (meeting and/or for future communication)
6.1 Contact person 1
6.1.1
Family name + First name
Dr. Angel Vega García
Postal address: Carretera a San Antonio de los Baños, Km 2
1/2
. Torrens. Municipio Boyeros. Habana. Cuba
Phone number: (53 7) 835 8202 / (53 7) 835 8221
6.1.2
Contact details
Fax: (53 7) 835 8196
Website: www.uci.cu
Email: vega@uci.cu
6.1.3
Academic position
Vice-Rector Research and Postgraduate Studies
6.1.4
Title/Gender
PhD. Full Professor/Male
6.1.5
Prior contacts with
Belgium/Belgian actors
VLIR-UOS history

Remarks, agreement future
communication

6.1.6
6.1.7

6.2 Contact person 2
6.2.1
Family name + First name
MSc. Beatriz Aragón
Postal address: Carretera a San Antonio de los Baños, Km 2
1/2
. Torrens. Municipio Boyeros. Habana. Cuba
Phone number: (53 7) 835 8202 / (53 7) 835 8221
6.2.2
Contact details
Fax: (53 7) 835 8196
Website: www.uci.cu
Email: beatriz@uci.cu
6.2.3
Academic position
Director of International Relations
6.2.4
Title/Gender
MSc, Full Professor/Female
6.2.5
Prior contacts with
Dr. Francoise Cupere. Meeting with Mrs. Cupere at the Cuban
6.2.6
Belgium/Belgian actors
VLIR-UOS history
Embassy in Brussels, Belgium, in 2009.

6.2.7
Remarks, agreement future

communication
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
91
6.3 Contact person 3
6.3.1
Family name + First name
MSc. Yvonne Caridad Collada
Postal address: Carretera a San Antonio de los Baños, Km 2
1/2
. Torrens. Municipio Boyeros. Habana. Cuba
Phone number: (53 7) 835 8202 / (53 7) 835 8221
6.3.2
Contact details
Fax: (53 7) 835 8196
Website: www.uci.cu
Email: yvonne@uci.cu
6.3.3
Academic position
Dean of Faculty 3
6.3.4
Title/Gender
MSc. Full Professor/Female
6.3.5
Prior contacts with
Belgium/Belgian actors
Mrs. Lisbeth Francoise, International Relations Office, Ghent
University (2002) and Prof. Ann Nowé, Vrije Universiteit
Brussel, Computer Science Department.
Prof. Yvonne Collada submitted a project proposal (own
initiative) at VLIR call for proposals 2010 and it was not
6.3.6
VLIR-UOS history
approved. Nonetheless, VLIR recommended to the promoters
to work in the improvement of the proposal in order to be
submitted again in 2011.
6.3.7

Remarks, agreement future
communication
7. International Cooperation
Main international
7.1
7.2
donors/projects/budgetary
importance (%)
Available audit and/or
AUIP
Yes
evaluation reports
7.3
Institutional handling of
projects
The University is currently involved in five international
research projects with entities from Spain, Italy and some
Latin American countries.
7.4
Main South-South
networks
The University is a member of CLEI (Centro Latinoamericano
de Estudios en Informática); it has a cooperation agreement
with SELA.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
92

Get access to international research community and
increase the actions in this regard, which, in the
future, will lead to a higher amount of PhD
professionals for our institution.

Major challenges with
7.5
regard to international
cooperation
Participate in joint research projects that will
contribute to improve the quality of our products, as
well as the capacities of our personnel.

Get access to possible partners in business and
international/cooperation projects.

Get funding for joint research projects to develop ICT
areas in Cuba and other developing countries.

Promote exchange among professionals from Europe
and other parts of the world to improve our current
activities in education, research and production.
7.6
Remarks

8. Expressed needs, opportunities and modalities
8.1 Institutional Policy (Education, Research, Governance/policies, Service delivery or
institutional support services, Infrastructure)
8.1.1
Strategic Institutional
To upgrade its faculty. To increase the level of R+D process.
Needs
8.1.2
8.1.3
8.1.4
Strategic priorities that can
be addressed through
academic cooperation
(with justification)
Taking advantage of the infrastructure of the university and
considering the main weakness of the institution, the UCI
would like to promote a collaborative network between
Flanders and Cuba for the implementation of joint PhD
Programmes on Computer Science applied to Business
Information Systems. In this context, the UCI can function as
a host of a National Postgraduate Training Centre.
Strategic priorities that are
linked with national
Improvement the quality of the teaching staff and the
institutional capacity to participate in research activities of
priorities in Higher
Education
great impact.
Strategic priorities that are
The development of Cuban software industry as a way to
linked with national
contribute to the improvement of the economical
priorities in development/
poverty reduction
management of the country.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
93
8.2 Thematic and disciplinary needs/interest
Research in the thematic areas of: Bioinformatics, Image
Processing, Virtual Reality, High Performance Computing,
8.2.1
Disciplinary (theme) based
strategic priorities
Business Intelligence, Database Technologies,
Computational Physics and Mathematics, Software
Engineering, E-government and Geographic information
systems (GIS).
Research in the thematic areas of: Bioinformatics, Image
8.2.2
Disciplinary (theme) based
Processing, Virtual Reality, High Performance Computing,
strategic priorities in view
of developmental change,
Business Intelligence, Database Technologies,
Computational Physics and Mathematics, Software
opportunities and impact
Engineering, E-government and Geographic information
systems (GIS).
Cooperation with UCI would have a great impact in the UCI
Appreciation of relative
institutional and societal
8.2.3
importance of expressed
Flemish interest in
cooperation with your
institution
Appreciation of
institutional
8.2.4
importance/interest of
expressed Flemish interest
and in Cuban society. A direct influence in capacity building
would contribute to enhance the scientific and academic level
of UCI professionals and so contribute to the quality of
software developed for the country at the university and for
strengthening Cuban software industry as a source of
income for development. It would have a national impact for
the capacity of UCI to computerize Cuban society, export
software and contribute to nationwide capacity building in
computer science and its applications.
Cooperation with Cuba would have importance for Flanders
for it would have a serious cooperation partner (making sure
resources are used efficiently and in an auditable way).
in cooperation with
Besides, Flemish researchers would have a great deal of
opportunities to develop interesting and valuable research,
'country'.
due to the amount of talent and great creativity in Cuban
researchers.
8.3 Opportunities
Appeal factors for
8.3.1
academic cooperation
(Unique Selling

Proposition) (co-funding
etc.)
8.3.2
Opportunities for
development relevant

research and societal
impact
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
94
8.3.3
Generic needs of Higher
Education that should be

addressed at supra- and
inter-institutional level
8.4 Modalities
Preferred intervention level
8.4.1
(institutional programme,
departmental project,
Own initiative, scholarships, mobility.
scholarships, mobility,
student exchanges etc)
8.4.2
Views on academic
partnership (values,

transparency etc.)
8.4.3
Network or multi
stakeholder strategy and

opportunities
9. Overall assessment with particular focus on IUC potential
9.1
Vision, leadership,
-Some reservations about leadership and vision; the
governance and
imminent transfer of the UCI from Ministry of
management capacity and
stability
Communications to Ministry of Higher Education (MES) will
have implications for governance and management.
Institutional policies and
9.2
practices with regard to
local, regional and national
See above
development policies and
multi stakeholder
orientation
Capacity (systems,
9.3
infrastructure, academic
level) to accommodate
academic cooperation and
Good – better infrastructure than other MES HEIs
manage related funding
and mobility
Thematic congruence with
9.4
VLIR-UOS interest at
academic and country level
Good
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
95
9.5
Likelihood of effects and
spin offs beyond campus
Will be increasingly prioritised under MES governance
(community, commercial,
academic networks)
Relative suitability of VLIRUOS intervention types in
9.6
view of institution status
and interest with particular
Not IUC potential
focus on IUC potential.
1. Basic institutional data
1.1
Name university
Universidad de La Habana
Postal address: Colina Universitaria, calles L y San Lázaro,
1.2
Institutional contact details
(Postal, tel/fax, website, email..)
Vedado, La Habana, Cuba 10400.
Phone number: (53 7) 878 62 00 / (53 7) 879 8450
Website: www.uh.cu
Email: rector@rect.uh.cu
1.3
Foundation year
1728
1.4
Status (private, public)
Public
2. VLIR-UOS/Flemish/Belgian linkages
2.1
Submitting association
VLIR-UOS
1. Production and evaluation of antigen from
Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Dengue Virus as tools in
diagnostics and for vaccine development with the
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. 2. Establishment of animal
models of cerebrovascular diseases as tools for
development of neuroprotective strategies, with Vrije
2.2
VLIR-UOS projects (past
and current)
Universiteit Brussels (In evaluation) 3. Food Security,
commercialization and regional development network: an
analysis of territorial dynamics associated with changes of
use and land tenure, and their effects on production and
commercialization of agricultural products / Katholieke
Universiteit Leuven. In managements process. 4. in
Biostatistics Master´ s Programme with Hasselt University.
Concluded in 2011.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
96
Past and current projects 1. Support to improvement of
cocoa quality production in Cuba´s Eastern region:
agronomic and environmental aspects. Dr Mayra Heydrich
Pérez (Faculty of Biology), with the participation of Biology
Faculty UH, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, and Vrije
Universiteit Brussels. 2. Production and applications of a
bio product from Cuban autoctunous vines in the coffee
2.3
Other links with Belgian
actors
and cocoa plantation Dr. Mayra Heydrich (Faculty of
Biology) and the participation of Vrije Universiteit Brussels.
3. Creation in the University of Havana of a competence
pole in the study of aquatic means in the degree of
contamination of Almendares river. Dr. Mayra Heydrich
(Faculty of Biology) with the participation of Katholieke
Universiteit Leuven and Vrije Universiteit Brussels. /
Characterization, development and assessment of
encouraging the growth of isolated biologic pestice of a
rizobacteria in Cuba Dr. Mayra Heydrich (Faculty of
Biology), with the participation of Katholieke Universiteit
Leuven and Vrije Universiteit Brussels.
Other VLIR-UOS linkages
2.4
(scholars, Flemish
students etc.)
Scholars, Flemish students and academic exchange from
Pharmacy and Food Institute, Biology Faculty, Mathematics
and Computer Science Faculty, Marine Research Centre,
Central Library of the University
3. Flemish interest in cooperation (country, region, institution)
1. Wilfrida Decraemer, Department Biology, Nematology and
Marine Biology research unit, Royal Belgian Institute of
Natural Sciences. KUL Faculty of Veterinary Science,
Faculty of Biology, University of Hasselt.
2. Jozef Anné, Rega Institute for Medical Research,
3.1
Flemish interest (names
Laboratory of Bacteriology.
and groups)
3. G Molenberghs, Ziv Shkedy Interuniversity Institute for
Biostatistics and Statistical Bioinformatics.
4. Marten Loopmans, Department of Earth and
Environmental Sciences, KU Leuven.
5. Miguel Ubarri , Faculty of Philosophy and Letters,
University of Antwerp.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
97
1. Nematology: marine nematodes; plant-parasitic
nematodes/ Nematology and Marine. Biology
2. Infectious diseases. New antibiotics/ Microbiology.
3. Medical biostatistics, life sciences statistics, Modelling
infectious diseases, epidemiology/ Biostatistics and
Statistical Bioinformatics
3.2
Flemish interest (themes,
disciplines, content,
context)
4. Rural/urban development, land reform and agricultural
production, agroeconomics /Earth and Environmental
Sciences.
5. Cultural identity in the humanities and social sciences
(development)/Philosophy and Letters.
Thematic areas identified: Biodiversity, Public Health,
Computer Sciences, Culture and Development. Transversal
themes: ICT systems and administration, Language and
communication
4. University: Summary qualitative appraisal
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
98
History: The University of Havana was founded January 5th,
1728, by Pontifical Resolution, in San Juan de Letrán
Convent; it is the most important academic institution of the
country in its contribution and participation in scientific,
cultural, and political life. Its leading role in relevant events
makes it an inseparable part of the nation´s history. Its
patriotic humanistic and scientific tradition sustains the
continuous formation of high level professionals in the
fields of social sciences, natural, exact, and economic
sciences, committed to the development of Cuban socialist
society. The image of the University of Havana is strongly
associated to National Culture. It is, to a great extent, the
image of Cuban higher education. Its historic and symbolic
strength gets to reproduce itself daily in the political,
cultural, educational and academic space in which the
university performs every day, also in direct contact with
those tasks that allow the development of Cuban society.
Because of its Professional, Postgraduate and Management
Formation scope, as well as Research and Extension
activities, all of it from the perspective of present higher
education universalization, the University plays a significant
Foundation, developmental
4.1
milestones, management
structure
role, not only in Havana City, but in all of the country as
well. The University of Havana is a National University. Also,
its community and local scope, its close relationship with
political, cultural and academic institutions of the capital
city, bestows it a special place in the capital city´s context.
The UH has suffered multiple transformations, being the
most important the one which took place in 1962 with the
passing of the Reform Law, which granted full access to
university studies, without considering race, sex, and social
condition; and it also defined the University Government
structures. At that very moment five faculties remained:
Technology, Sciences, Humanities, Medical Sciences, and
Agrarian Sciences, and within them a total of 24 schools.
Considering the country´s need for development, the
faculties’ structures shifted, from various schools wide
conception, to a more specialized concept of the former, in
terms of disciplines; so at present the university has 18
faculties. Independent research centres were also created in
order to encourage this activity, at present there are 15.The
senior management structure of the UH is as follows:
Chancellor, Academic Vice Chancellor, Research and
Postgraduate Studies Vice Chancellor, Interinstitutional
Relations Vice Chancellor, Universalization Vice Chancellor,
Service Vice Chancellor and Economic Vice Chancellor.
There is a Direction Council, made up by deans of the
faculties, directors of research centres and directors of the
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
99
administrative structure. There is a Scientific University
Council performing advisory functions, the Council is
appointed through election and has a representative in each
faculty and research centre. There is a Central Library and a
UH is a leader in many investigation topics in the country
UH exhibits scientific leadership in Natural and Exact
Sciences, Economic, Social, and Humanities areas. Since
the Cuban Higher Education System is based on one Curricula program for all academic undergraduate careers,
and UH is the leading centre in the field of Natural and Exact
Sciences for undergraduate and most graduate (master and
PhD) programs, the support it will receive will straight
forwardly have a multiplying effect in the whole national
university system. Moreover, it is worth mentioning that
National position,
4.2
leadership areas, most
proud achievement
these actions are always based on mutual benefit
cooperation. Nearly 50 % of the staff has fulfilled PhD
degrees, which will allow a rapid assimilation of the
cooperation actions and their derivatives, hence leading to
very short terms results In 2010, the UH was awarded 23
Cuban Academy of Sciences prizes, which represent 34,3 %
of the total number of the ones awarded; they are the most
scientific relevant ones in the country. Furthermore, this
year, UH published 1 527 papers (1,47 per person), 453 in
Data Base magazines (0,39 per person), and 210 ion Web of
Science (0,18 per person). The UH commitment rises its
importance regarding its local, provincial and national
performance, so a higher integration in all spheres of
society is expected.
Relationship with the authorities: The UH has friendly
relationships with local, provincial and national government
structures. The relationship with the Government of Havana
City is excellent and is determined by the UH participation
in the provincial Management Council Advisory Group,
made up by different specialties professors. This has made
possible the leading and control of officials and substitutes
preparation and training, either professionals, as well as
4.3
Relationship with
non-professionals. Furthermore, the UH has provided
stakeholders (authorities,
civil society, industry etc.)
counselling, in terms of Strategic Planning and Objectives
Directions to nineteen OACE´s (Institutions of Central State
Administration); to Branch Schools in identifying learning
needs and in training programs design; several
comprehensive consultancies have been performed in
different administrative institutions of the Provincial
Government; due to its performance this governmental
structure has awarded the UH in multiple occasions.
Provincial and national authorities often request UH to carry
out evaluation and policy research studies.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
100
Indicators used to rank the universities in the country in
terms of research output are good in UH. In 2010, the UH
was awarded 23 Cuban Academy of Sciences prizes, which
represent 34,3 % of the total number of the ones awarded;
they are the most scientific relevant ones in the country.
Furthermore, this year, UH published 1 527 papers (1,47 per
person), 453 in Data Base magazines (0,39 per person), and
Self assessment of
4.4
research and publication
ability and output
210 ion Web of Science (0,18 per person). These constitute
high indicators in comparison with the rest of the
universities in the country, but do not express the real
potentials that UH has. The results are in many cases an
expression of the international collaboration, through joint
investigations which are carried out, as well as PhD thesis
and other activities that allow excellent results, especially in
the fields of natural and exact sciences. 57% of
monographs correspond to these sciences, and 64% of
published books come from social and economic sciences.
UH exhibits one of the most important historic and cultural
legacy of the country, it also has tradition and prestige, as
well as the capacity to nucleate the rest of the universities
of the nation, since it has been the Alma Mater of Cuban
higher education. UH has a large experience in the context
of international relations, taking part in 43 cooperation
networks and more than 170 international projects in
different modalities. In all cases, honesty and transparency
has featured the participation. It is remarkable that a
number of actions are carried out with Latin American and
Caribbean Countries; with particular relevance in the
4.5
Institutional strengths
graduate studies field. UH has close relations with the
government, the political organizations, and all Institutions
that make up the State Central Administration (denoted by
OACE), as well as with all kinds of institutions that operate
in the country. For these reasons, it has always received
their support for the actions towards achieving its academic
goals. Currently UH, aside from the main campus, has an
Unit in each of the 6 municipalities of Havana City, being
this a decisive factor in getting support from the local
organizations. Besides, there is a substantial incorporation
of part-time professionals to the University Staff, which
definitely contributes to the understanding on what actions
should be carried out to reach local development and
impact.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
101
1. The old age of the staff most qualified segment is
currently the anger for the preservation of the academic
excellence reached in most University areas.
2. The scientific literature is insufficient and not updated,
the informatization and connectivity networks are deficient,
as well as the Internet access.
4.6
Institutional weaknesses
3. The current resources and facilities for the development
of high – quality state of the art research in the field of
Natural and Exact Sciences are few and mostly old,
representing drawbacks for accomplishing standards in top
scientific journals and PhD thesis of excellence. Today,
most of the best research results achieved are thanks to the
international cooperation, and are performed outside the
country, which of course does not allow a development of
the University areas in correspondence to their high
scientific potential and consequently the results are of
much lower impact than they could be.
5. University: Summary qualitative appraisal
5.1 Budget
% Government
EUR/studen
VLIR budget as
funded
t
%
VLIR EUR
Trend, quality of
fundingeducation in the
Higher
country is completely
free for all students in
any type of teaching;
books are also free as
well as tuition.
Scholarships are
awarded for those
100%
students of less income,
at present, 37% of
Cuban students have
scholarships, and the
great majority of them
come to Havana City as
the career they have
chosen is only studied
at UH.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
102
5.2 Staffing situation

5.2.1
Total # staff
5.2.2
Total # academic staff
3684 (1787 Full time)
5.2.3
% female academic staff
58.5%
5.2.4
% open vacancies
2
5.2.5
# Ph.D. Holders on staff
696
5.2.6
Staff-student ratio
The student-staff ratio is approximately 27.7/1 professor.
5.2.7
Teaching load
The average teaching load per professor varies between 15
– 20% of work time in science faculties and 20 -30% in
social and economic faculties.
5.2.8
Staff turn-over
The staff has stability
The old age of the staff most qualified segment, is currently
5.2.9
Remarks staffing
the anger for the preservation of the academic excellence
reached in most University areas, but we have also young
researchers that are a guaranty of the staff turn- over
5.3 Student body
5.3.1
Total # students
25580
5.3.2
% female students
69.2 %
The tendency in full time courses is a discreet, though
5.3.3
Trend
progressive, rise of students, while in workers part time
courses there is a more significant decrease due to the
possibility of studying in municipality units.
5.3.4
Remarks (distance
education etc.)
5.4 Strategic plan
5.4.1
Strategic plan
Yes
5.4.2
Time coverage
Every three years
5.5 Education offered
5.5.1
Bachelor (# programmes
Social Sciences
Exact Sciences
Biomedical
25 Programmes
11 Programmes
sciences

50 programmes
20 programmes
5 programmes
7 programmes
16 programmes
and # students)
5.5.2
Master (# programmes and
# students)
5.5.3
5.5.4
Ph.D. (# programmes and #

students)
Remarks (part time,
distance etc.)
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
103
6. VLIR-UOS contact persons (meeting and/or for future communication)
6.1 Contact person 1
6.1.1
Family name + First name
Dr. Cristina Díaz López
Postal address: Colina Universitaria, calles L y San Lázaro,
Vedado, La Habana, Cuba 10400.
6.1.2
Contact details
Phone number: (53 7) 878 62 00 / (53 7) 879 8450
Website: www.uh.cu
Email: cristina@rect.uh.cu
6.1.3
Academic position
Vice-Rector for Interinstitutional Relations.
6.1.4
Title/Gender
PhD. Chemical Sciences, Full Professor/Female
6.1.5
Prior contacts with

6.1.6
Belgium/Belgian actors
VLIR-UOS history

6.1.7
Remarks, agreement future

communication
6.2 Contact person 2
6.2.1
Family name + First name
Dr. Lourdes Alicia Díaz Fernández
Postal address: Calle J No 566 e/ 25 y 27. Vedado, La
Habana
6.2.2
Contact details
Phone number: (53 7) 878 62 00 / (53 7) 879 8450
Website: www.uh.cu
Email: lourdesalicia@rect.uh.cu
6.2.3
Academic position
Director of International Relations
6.2.4
Title/Gender
PhD. Chemical Sciences, Full Professor/Female
6.2.5
Prior contacts with

6.2.6
Belgium/Belgian actors
VLIR-UOS history

6.2.7
Remarks, agreement future

communication
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
104
6.3 Contact person 3
6.3.1
Family name + First name
Dr. Maria Eugenia Alonso
Postal address: Colina Universitaria, calles L y San Lázaro,
Vedado, La Habana, Cuba 10400.
6.3.2
Contact details
Phone number: (53 7) 878 62 00 / (53 7) 879 8450
Website: www.uh.cu
Email: marige@rect.uh.cu
6.3.3
Academic position
Director of Science and Technology
6.3.4
Title/Gender
PhD. Biology Sciences, Full Professor/Female
6.3.5
Prior contacts with

6.3.6
Belgium/Belgian actors
VLIR-UOS history

6.3.7
Remarks, agreement future

communication
7. International Cooperation
7.1
Main international
donors/projects/budgetary
VLIR – UOS/Belgium, AECID/Spain, FNUAP/UN, MOE China,
CIDA/Canada, CE, CUD/Belgium, IFS, APN Norway
importance (%)
7.2
Available audit and/or
Yes
evaluation reports
The UH has more than 176 international projects in different
7.3
Institutional handling of
modalities and an International Project Office that advises,
facilitates, manages and supports the participation of the
projects
scientific community of the UH in international projects. A
Cost Centre ensures economic and financial management
of the resources, with a separate bank account.

Red iberoamericana Proteómica y quimiogenómica
de inhibidores de proteasas de origen natural con
potencial terapeútico en malaria.
7.4
Main South-South
networks

Red universitaria de las Américas en estudios
cooperativos y asociativismo (UniRcoop).

Desarrollo y manejo sustentable de sistemas de
producción acuícola.

Red de Dirección Estratégica en la Educación
Superior (RED-DEES).

Red Nacional de Biotecnologia Argentina- Cuba.

MESLATINCE.NET: Plataforma Web de recursos
multimedia accesibles para la educación y la
investigación y accesibilidad.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
105
7.5
Major challenges with
regard to international
cooperation
To ensure that international cooperation contributes
directly and significantly, with concrete actions to the
fulfilment of the mission of UH, to the vitality of substantive
actions (teaching, research, postgraduate and university
extension), to recover part of the basic institutional
infrastructure and the development of the country.
7.6
Remarks

8. Expressed needs, opportunities and modalities
8.1 Institutional Policy (Education, Research, Governance/policies, Service delivery or
institutional support services, Infrastructure)
Improving institutional infrastructure, computer and
laboratory equipment for teaching and research, UH
presence in international research projects prioritized by
8.1.1
Strategic Institutional
Needs
the country in both social and natural sciences and exacts,
ensure the use of information technologies and
communications, ensure access to new technologies for
research, ensure the development of closed cycle research
to measure in practice the results and their application for
the development of the country, raise funds for I+ D+I
projects aimed at developing the country, restoration and
conservation of the university heritage.
1. Food security, commercialization and regional
development networks. 2. Development of medical and
diagnostic equipment for health. 3. Research and
production of new drugs and new materials. 4. Development
of technologies in Materials Science and Nanotechnology.
Strategic priorities that can
8.1.2
be addressed through
academic cooperation
(with justification)
5. Development of Biotechnology and Food. 6. Research in
environment and ecology. 7. Research on economic
studies. 8. Research on politics and society. 9. Research on
history and culture. 10. Research in education and science.
11. Research on human health and welfare. 12. ICT and
educational computing. These areas are included in
national priorities and can be addressed trough academic
cooperation. Highly qualified staffs with stable research
teams ensure a proper execution of the projects, ensuring
teamwork.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
106
1. Development of medical and diagnostic equipment for
health. 2. Research and production of new drugs and new
materials. 3. Development of technologies in Materials
Science and Nanotechnology. 4. Development of
Biotechnology and Food. 5. Research in environment and
linked with national
ecology. 6. Research on economic studies. 7. Research on
politics and society. 8. Research on history and culture. 9.
priorities in Higher
Education
Research in education and science. 10. Research on human
health and welfare. 11. ICT and educational computing.12.
Strategic priorities that are
8.1.3
Food security, commercialization and regional development
networks. These areas are included in the priority of the
Ministry of Higher Education and are aimed at local
development and improving the quality of human life, the
country's development including economic studies, society
and politics.
1. Food security, commercialization and regional
development networks.2. Food and nutrition. Assessment
and control of food 3. Research on politics and society. 4.
Studies on regional development, rural, municipal and
community from the standpoint of economic, social,
sociological, psychological and quality of life. Geographical
8.1.4
Strategic priorities that are
Studies - Environmental rural areas.5. Research on
population studies in relation to gender, family, children,
linked with national
elderly, domestic violence. 6. Urban community studies,
priorities in development/
poverty reduction
social and community prevention, legal and institutional
relationships. 7. Planning, management and tourism
development. Environmental impact assessment in the
areas of tourism development. 8. Protease inhibitors with
biomedical and biotechnological applications 9. Marine
aquaculture. Ecology and marine biodiversity. 10. Research
focused on the care or prevention of social problems linked
to poverty, evaluation of social equity component in
development projects and social programs.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
107
8.2 Thematic and disciplinary needs/interest
1. Health: Biotechnology, Design and Drugs Development,
Medicinal Plants and Natural Products, Vaccines and
Medical Equipment. 2. Society and Environment: Local
Development, Global Warming, Environmental Pollution,
8.2.1
Disciplinary (theme) based
strategic priorities
Biodiversity, Environmental Education. 3. Complex
systems, Bioinformatics, New Materials. 4. Biotechnology
and Food: Vegetal Biotechnology, Development of Food
Industry. Sustainable growth hormones, seaweed crop for
larva production. 5. Economic, Accounting, and Financing
Studies. 6. Humanity and Social Sciences: History of Cuba,
Cuban Society, Culture and Education. 7. Information and
Communications New Technologies. 8. Renewable Energy.
Food, food sustainability, local development, plant
biotechnology, biochemistry, bioinformatics,
bioengineering, drugs and pharmacy, health and
biomaterials for agriculture, nanotechnology, technologies
and material sciences for health, agriculture and production
8.2.2
Disciplinary (theme) based
of technological equipment, environmental studies,
strategic priorities in view
of developmental change,
biodiversity and ecology, economic studies, financial
accounting, chemistry, social sciences. The subjects
opportunities and impact
expressed are based on the priorities of the UH and closely
related to the development of the country, are changeoriented and designed to measure their impact on society.
The UH has given to society highly qualified professional
and has been contribute with the results of their research to
the development of the country in all sectors
Appreciation of relative
8.2.3
institutional and societal
importance of expressed
Flemish interest in
over the years to enhance the university processes and with
tangible results and impact to the development of Cuban
cooperation with your
institution
society and to improve their quality of life.
Appreciation of
institutional
8.2.4
Collaboration with institutions in Flanders are in keeping
with the strategic priorities of the university and contributed
The collaboration with universities in Flanders has had a
positive impact on the training of qualified staff, human
resource training, including young women, in research
importance/interest of
expressed Flemish interest
related to tropical diseases, high-impact publications and
improvement of institutional infrastructure. The training of
in cooperation with
human resources in Biostatistics is offered for the first time
in Cuba with the participation of professionals in the health
'country'.
system and ensures the training of trainers in this field,
which justifies the sustainability of this program.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
108
8.3 Opportunities
8.3.1
Appeal factors for
The Internationalisation Strategy of UH is to contribute
academic cooperation
(Unique Selling
trough international cooperation for the best performance
Proposition) (co-funding
of the strategic goals of the institution (in terms of
development and resources). Good relations between our
countries and institutions, the scientific level of the parties
and the possibility of teamwork.
etc.)
The UH has an staff of excellence, 18 faculties and 15
research centres that contribute to national development
and improved the quality of life. UH exhibits scientific
leadership in Natural and Exact Sciences, Economic, Social,
and Humanities areas. Since the Cuban Higher Education
System is based on one - Curricula program for all
academic undergraduate careers, and UH is the leading
centre in the field of Natural and Exact Sciences for
8.3.2
Opportunities for
undergraduate and most graduate (master and PhD)
programs. The UH cooperates with central state institutions
development relevant
research and societal
such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of
Agriculture, Ministry of Sugar, Ministry of Armed Forces,
impact
Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Education, among others,
as well as with many other institutions. Those interactions
are expressed in actions such as courses, seminars,
workshops, advisory, participation in important scientific
research and cultural events, etc. A new technological park
will contribute with high technology equipment to the
development of university and country research and is an
opportunity for development relevant research and societal
impact, including a high quality service to the National
Health System and others research centres and institutions
of the country.
8.3.3
Generic needs of Higher
The improvement of the quality of undergraduate and
Education that should be
addressed at supra- and
postgraduate teaching, research and, institutional
strengthening in order to contribute to the development of
inter-institutional level
the country.
8.4 Modalities
Preferred intervention level
8.4.1
(institutional programme,
departmental project,
Institutional programme, Departmental project,
scholarships, mobility.
scholarships, mobility,
student exchanges etc)
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
109
Views on academic
8.4.2
8.4.3
partnership (values,
transparency etc.)
Network or multi
stakeholder strategy and
opportunities
UH has a large experience in the context of international
relations and cooperation. In all cases, honesty and
transparency has featured the participation of teachers and
researchers, including transparency in the use of allocated
resources.
One of the main characteristics of our research teams is the
networking. Projects will ensure the timely establishment of
multiple national and international networks in terms of the
strategic directions of work.
9. Overall assessment with particular focus on IUC potential
9.1
Vision, leadership,
governance and
management capacity and
stability
Institutional policies and
practices with regard to
9.2
local, regional and national
development policies and
multi stakeholder
orientation
Capacity (systems,
infrastructure, academic
9.3
level) to accommodate
academic cooperation and
manage related funding
and mobility
Thematic congruence with
9.4
VLIR-UOS interest at
academic and country level
Likelihood of effects and
9.5
spin offs beyond campus
(community, commercial,
academic networks)
Relative suitability of VLIR-
9.6
UOS intervention types in
view of institution status
UH should not be considered as a potential IUC given the
scale and strength of existing international cooperation.
and interest with particular
focus on IUC potential.
1. Basic institutional data
1.1
Name university
Universidad de Matanzas “Camilo Cienfuegos”
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
110
Postal address: Autopista a Varadero Km. 3. Matanzas, Cuba
1.2
Institutional contact details
(Postal, tel/fax, website, e-
Phone number: (53 - 45) 261992, Fax: (53 - 45) 253101
mail..)
Website: www.umcc.cu
Email: info@umcc.cu
1.3
Foundation year
1972
1.4
Status (private, public)
Public
2. VLIR-UOS/Flemish/Belgian linkages
2.1
Submitting association
2.2
VLIR-UOS projects (past
VLIR-UOS

and current)
2.3
Other links with Belgian
actorsVLIR-UOS linkages
Other
2.4
(scholars, Flemish


students etc.)
3. Flemish interest in cooperation (country, region, institution)
3.1
Flemish interest (names

and groups)
Flemish interest (themes,
3.2
disciplines, content,

context)
4. University: Summary qualitative appraisal
The institution was created on May 9, 1972 as a provincial
campus of the Universidad de La Habana in order to implement
undergraduate courses and specific professional training in
line with the main economical development sectors of the
4.1
Foundation, developmental
province.
milestones, management
structure
1972: Campus of the UH
1976: University Centre of Matanzas
1985: Higher Institute for Agro-industrial studies
1992: University of Matanzas
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
111
4.2

17 awards from the Cuban Academy of Sciences.

National position,
The EEPFIH (Estación de Pastos y Forrajes Indio
Hatuey) was recognised with the merit scientific medal
leadership areas, most
proud achievement
"Carlos J. Finlay awarded by the State Council of the
Republic of Cuba.

4 national awards from the Ministry of Science,
Technology and Environment (CITMA).
The main economical sectors of the province are the chemical
and oil industry, the agricultural production (especially the
sugar industry, potatoes, rice, citrus and fruits), and tourism
4.3
Relationship with
stakeholders (authorities,
(Touristic pole of Varadero). The UMCC has a fruitful
cooperation with the provincial government and the
civil society, industry etc.)
administrations of all these sectors. The educational and
scientific services supplied by the UMCC have a great social,
economical and technological impact in the provincial
development.
4.4
Self assessment of
research and publication
The UMCC has more than 150 scientific publications in
journals with high visibility in the Science Citations Index.
ability and output
Nonetheless, the results achieved until now are lower than the
academic and scientific potential of its professionals.

4.5
Prestige of the university within the Cuban Higher
Education System and good international recognition,
especially within Latin America, where the UMCC has a
large number of international contacts and
partnerships.
Institutional strengths

High level of cooperation within the Higher Education
System as well as with the organisations of the
province.

Experience and institutional commitment of its
teaching staff.
Due to financial constraints, some buildings and facilities in
4.6
Institutional weaknesses
the campus are not in very good conditions, but the main
problem of the university is computer infrastructure and
laboratory equipments.
5. University: Summary qualitative appraisal
5.1 Budget
% Government
funded
EUR/student
VLIR budget as %
VLIR EUR
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
Trend, quality of
funding
112
Reduced
institutional budget
100%
5.2 Staffing situation
5.2.1
Total # staff
2555 (academic year 2010-11)
5.2.2
Total # academic staff
1870 (685 full time) (academic year 2010-11)
5.2.3
% female academic staff

5.2.4
% open vacancies

5.2.5
# Ph.D. Holders on staff
5.2.6
Staff-student ratio

5.2.7
Teaching load

5.2.8
Staff turn-over
The staff has stability
5.2.9
Remarks staffing
320 Professors hold a master degree. The UMCC has the
commitment to increase in the coming years the number of
148
PhD of its staff.
5.3 Student body
5.3.1
Total # students
14887 (2195 full time regular students)
5.3.2
% female students
68,9% (academic year 2010-11)
5.3.3
Trend

5.3.4
Remarks (distance
education etc.)

5.4 Strategic plan
5.4.1
Strategic plan
Yes
5.4.2
Time coverage
The current plan covers the period 2011-2015
5.5 Education offered
Social Sciences
Exact Sciences
Biomedical
sciences
5.5.2
Bachelor (# programmes
and # students)
Master (# programmes and
5.5.3
# students)
Ph.D. (# programmes and #
5.5.4
students)
Remarks (part time,
5.5.1
10 programmes
7 programmes

5 programmes
7 programmes

3 programmes
5 programmes




distance etc.)
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
113
6. VLIR-UOS contact persons (meeting and/or for future communication)
6.1 Contact person 1
6.1.1
Family name + First name
Prof. Miguel Sarraff Gonzalez
Postal address: Autopista a Varadero Km. 3. Matanzas, Cuba
6.1.2
Contact details
Phone number: (53 - 45) 261992, Fax: (53 - 45) 253101
Website: www.umcc.cu
Email: rector@umcc.cu
6.1.3
Academic position
Rector
6.1.4
Title/Gender
Full Professor/Male
6.1.5

6.1.6
Prior contacts with
Belgium/Belgian actors
VLIR-UOS history
6.1.7
Remarks, agreement future


communication
6.2 Contact person 2
6.2.1
Family name + First name
Dr. Roberto Vizcón Toledo
Postal address: Autopista a Varadero Km. 3. Matanzas, Cuba
6.2.2
Contact details
Phone number: (53 - 45) 261992, Fax: (53 - 45) 253101
Website: www.umcc.cu
Email: roberto.vizcon@umcc.cu
6.2.3
Academic position
Vice-rector for Research and Postgraduate Studies
6.2.4
Title/Gender
PhD, Full Professor/Male
6.2.5
Prior contacts with
Belgium/Belgian actors

6.2.6
VLIR-UOS history

6.2.7
Remarks, agreement future

communication
6.3 Contact person 3
6.3.1
Family name + First name
MSc. Jorge Alpizar Muni
Postal address: Autopista a Varadero Km. 3. Matanzas, Cuba
Phone number: (53 - 45) 261992, Fax: (53 - 45) 253101
6.3.2
Contact details
Website: www.umcc.cu
Email: jorge.alpizar@umcc.cu
6.3.3
Academic position
Director of International Relations
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
114
6.3.4
Title/Gender
MSc, Full Professor/Male
6.3.5
Prior contacts with
Belgium/Belgian actors

6.3.6
VLIR-UOS history

6.3.7
Remarks, agreement future
communication

7. International Cooperation
Main international
7.1
donors/projects/budgetary
importance (%)
AECID, CYTED, IFS, CIDA, ALBA, COSUDE, CAPES
7.2
Available audit and/or
evaluation reports
Institutional handling of
Yes
projects
implementation of international projects.
The UMCC maintains academic relationships with more than
100 institutions, most of them from Latin America. The
7.3
7.4
Main South-South
networks
The university has a reasonable experience in the
university is active in the ALBA cooperation schemes.
Fostering and diversifying the cooperation academic and
Major challenges with
7.5
regard to international
cooperation
scientific links with European higher education institutions, as
well as increasing the participation of the university in
international projects as an alternative for raising funds for the
development of the university.
7.6
Remarks

8. Expressed needs, opportunities and modalities
8.1 Institutional Policy (Education, Research, Governance/policies, Service delivery or
institutional support services, Infrastructure)
8.1.1
8.1.2
Strategic Institutional
Improving institutional infrastructure, especially computers
Needs
and laboratory equipments.
Strategic priorities that can
Ensuring access to new technologies for research, scientific
Implementation of joint PhD programmes and MSc courses as
publication and data bases.
well as joint research activities. Exchange of academics,
scientists and PhD students.
be addressed through
academic cooperation
(with justification)
8.1.3
Strategic priorities that are
linked with national
priorities in Higher
Education
Improvement of the quality in all the university services,
especially in the research domain.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
115
8.1.4
Strategic priorities that are
linked with national
Implementation of multilateral projects with the participation of
various Cuban stakeholders to promote the involvement of the
priorities in development/
universities and research centres in key sectors for the
poverty reduction
economical development of the country, such as agriculture,
energy and tourism.
8.2 Thematic and disciplinary needs/interest
Food production and Rural Development (EEPFIH, a science
entity for technological innovation that has national reach in
8.2.1
Disciplinary (theme) based
strategic priorities
sustainable development and exploitation of the ecosystems
of agricultural production). It’s also remarkable the national
leadership of the UMCC on Enzymatic Technology and Bioprepared products for nutrition and animal health. Other
strategic priority areas are Energy, Business Administration,
City Conservation or Tourism Development.
Disciplinary (theme) based
8.2.2
strategic priorities in view
of developmental change,
Idem to 8.2.1
opportunities and impact
Appreciation of relative
institutional and societal
8.2.3
importance of expressed
Flemish interest in

cooperation with your
institution
8.2.4
Appreciation of
institutional
The university has the institutional capacity for participating
actively in national networks that can be implemented in
importance/interest of
cooperation with Flanders in key sectors, such as Food
expressed Flemish interest
in cooperation with
Production, Rural Development, Energy, Business
Administration or Tourism Development.
'country'.
8.3 Opportunities
8.3.1
Appeal factors for
Developing new academic cooperation links with international
academic cooperation
(Unique Selling
institutions is essential for the development of the UMCC, the
Proposition) (co-funding
etc.)
internationalisation of the university is considered among the
strategic components of the institutional strategic policy.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
116
Considering the priorities defined by the Cuban Government,
The best scenario for a sustainable cooperation is Food
Security and Agricultural Production. In this theme the UMCC
has a very good cooperation with all the institutions of the
Province at governmental level and with different associations
8.3.2
Opportunities for
development relevant
research and societal
impact
of private stakeholders like ANAP (National Association of
Small Farmers) among others. The EEPFIH is an institutional
strength and the cooperation bonds with other institutions of
the MES working on the agricultural field are excellent. Other
opportunities are:
Tourism: the university has consolidated a good work,
advising different resorts and touristic institutions in Varadero.
Urban planning and city conservation: a research group of the
university working on this field in the City of Matanzas.
Energy: a large experience advising the petrochemical
industry.
8.3.3
Generic needs of Higher
Education that should be
addressed at supra- and
inter-institutional level
Keep working on the improvement of the quality of the
academic and scientific processes with the objective of
maximising the institutional contribution to the economical
and social development of the country, especially in the main
productive sectors of the province.
8.4 Modalities
Preferred intervention level
(institutional programme,
8.4.1
departmental project,
Own initiative and academic mobility.
scholarships, mobility,
student exchanges etc)
The UMCC has the basic infrastructure and necessary human
Views on academic
8.4.2
partnership (values,
transparency etc.)
resources to implement sustainable actions in the areas of
potential cooperation. The university assume its commitment
of an adequate use of the financial means and a high
performance of its professionals.
8.4.3
Network or multi
stakeholder strategy and
The UMCC has very good cooperation links with a large
number of institutions in Cuba and abroad.
opportunities
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
117
9. Overall assessment with particular focus on IUC potential
9.1
Vision, leadership,
governance and
management capacity and
stability
Some reservations about leadership and strategic
planning/management capacity
Institutional policies and
practices with regard to
9.2
local, regional and national
development policies and
In line with national development priorities; strong focus on
local development
multi stakeholder
orientation
Capacity (systems,
9.3
infrastructure, academic
level) to accommodate

academic cooperation and
manage related funding
and mobility
Thematic congruence with
9.4
9.5
VLIR-UOS interest at
academic and country level
Likelihood of effects and
spin offs beyond campus
Limited
High
(community, commercial,
academic networks)
Relative suitability of VLIR9.6
UOS intervention types in
view of institution status
No IUC potential; does not conform with regional priority
Eastern region
and interest with particular
focus on IUC potential.
1. Basic institutional data
1.1
Name university
Universidad Agraria de La Habana (UNAH)
Postal address: Autopista Nacional, Km 231/2 y Carretera de
Tapaste, San José de las Lajas, A.P. 32700, Provincia
1.2
Institutional contact details
Mayabeque, Cuba
(Postal, tel/fax, website, email..)
Phone number: (53 47) 862908/863395
Website: www.isch.edu.cu
Email: rel_int@isch.edu.cu
1.3
Foundation year
1976
1.4
Status (private, public)
Public
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
118
2. VLIR-UOS/Flemish/Belgian linkages
2.1
Submitting association
VLIR-UOS
Own Initiative project: Improvement soil salinity management
under sugar cane using Geo-informatics (1999-2004).
Promoters Prof. Dr. Marc van Meirvenne, Prof. Dr. Roger
Hartmann, Department of Soil Management and Soil Care.
Local counterparts Prof. Dr. Angel Utset and Prof Dr. Maria
Elena Ruiz (after the second year was selected as the main
2.2
VLIR-UOS projects (past
and current)
counterpart due Prof. Utset changed his resident country).
Own Initiative project: Capacity building of UNAH and
CENHICA (Centro de Hidrologia y Calidad del Agua) in view of
a soil and water conservation programme in the Rio
Cuyaguateje watershed in Western Cuba. Project
ZEIN2005PR306 (2005-2011). Promoters Prof. Dr. Donald
Gabriels, Prof. Dr. Wim Cornelis, Department of Soil
Management and Soil Care, Local counterparts Prof. Dr. Maria
Elena Ruiz, Prof. Jorge Diaz.
Laboratory for Forest, Nature and Landscape Research,
Leuven University Prof. Dr. Pol Copin (in the frame of the Own
2.3
Other links with Belgian
actors
Initiative project “Improvement soil salinity management under
sugar cane using Geo-informatics” (1999-2004)
Ministry of Education in Flanders (two scholarships for PhD
professionals and one project to share experiences about
study programs in a Master course in Ghent University about
Soil and Land Resources. (1998-1999, 2001).
2.4
Other VLIR-UOS linkages
(scholars, Flemish

students etc.)
3. Flemish interest in cooperation (country, region, institution)
Ghent University , Department of Soil Management and Soil
Care:
Prof. Dr. Roger Hartmann (already retired) co promoter Own
3.1
Flemish interest (names
and groups)
initiative project and Promoter an educational project with the
Ministry of Education in Flanders region.
Prof. Dr. Marc van Meirvenne promoter Own initiative project
Prof. Dr. Donald Gabriels, promoter Own Initiative project
Prof. Dr. Wim Cornelis, co-promoter Own initiative project
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
119
Soil Physics, Land degradation processes (erosion, salinity,
contamination, compaction), Soil Conservation, Geoinformatics (simulation models Geographic Information
Flemish interest (themes,
3.2
disciplines, content,
Systems and Remote Sensing), water use efficiency and
conservation.
context)
Prof. Dr. Josse Beardermaker (Catholic University of Leuven)
College of Agricultural Engineering. Interest Theme: Acoustic
Technology applied in Post-harvest.
4. University: Summary qualitative appraisal
The university was founded in 1976, as part of a Scientific and
4.1
Foundation, developmental
milestones, management
Educational Complex that belongs to the Cuban Ministry of
Higher Education. It is formed by 5 faculties (Veterinary
structure
Medicine, Agronomy, Technical Sciences, Sports and
Humanities, Social & Economic Sciences).
The Agrarian University of Havana is part of a Scientific and
National position,
4.2
leadership areas, most
proud achievement
Educational Complex that belongs to the Ministry of Higher
Education. It is focused on the education and research related
to agriculture. In this field the Complex is the leading
institution in Cuba.
The Scientific and Educational complex responds to the needs
Relationship with
4.3
stakeholders (authorities,
civil society, industry etc.)
of society. The UNAH and the 3 research centres have
excellent links with key stakeholders in Cuba (National and
Provincial Governmental Bodies such as Ministry of
Agriculture, Agricultural Enterprises, Agricultural
Cooperatives, Local producers in the rural sectors, etc).
The academics and scientist of the Complex participate in
4.4
Self assessment of
research and publication
ability and output
research of great impact and quality. The UNAH has a
scientific journal called “Ciencias Técnicas Agropecuarias”
(Agrarian Technical Sciences) which has a great visibility.
Nonetheless, the participation of the staff in international
publications is still lower than its enormous scientific
potential.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
120

The greatest strength of the complex is the integration
in a unique scientific pole of the academic and
scientific work developed in the university with the
activities carried out by the 3 National Research
Centres. This integration makes of the complex one of
the most important scientific institutions in Cuba, in
which are involved highly specialised personal from
different disciplines such as medical doctors, biologist,
biochemists, microbiologist, veterinarians, agronomist,
pharmacist, chemical engineers, electronic engineers,
physicists, mathematicians, cyberneticists among
4.5
Institutional strengths
other professionals.

Some of the laboratories of the Research Centres are
equipped with state of the art technology, allowing the
implementation of research projects of great
importance for the country.

The University has two main degrees, Agronomy and
Veterinary Medicine, and both are registered as
degrees of excellence. It has 17 master programmes
and 13 PhD. Programmes. Many other postgraduate
courses and professional training are taught by the
institutions of the complex.
4.6
Institutional weaknesses
The main weakness is the infrastructure, especially in the
facilities of the university campus as well as obsolesce and
deterioration of its laboratories.
5. University: Summary qualitative appraisal
5.1 Budget
% Government
VLIR budget
EUR/student
funded
100%
VLIR EUR
as %



Trend, quality of
funding
Financial constraints
5.2 Staffing situation
5.2.1
Total # staff
-
5.2.2
Total # academic staff
1635 (572 Full time)
5.2.3
% female academic staff
55,7%
5.2.4
% open vacancies
30 positions
5.2.5
# Ph.D. Holders on staff
261
5.2.6
Staff-student ratio
The student-staff ratio is approximately 1,2/1 professor,
considering only undergraduate students.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
121
5.2.7
Teaching load
It depends on the specialisation or position of the professor.
5.2.8
Staff turn-over
The staff has stability
5.2.9
Remarks staffing

5.3 Student body
5.3.1
Total # students
2004 undergraduate students
5.3.2
% female students
53,1%
5.3.3
Trend

5.3.4
Remarks (distance

education etc.)
5.4 Strategic plan
5.4.1
Strategic plan
Yes
5.4.2
Time coverage
2012-2015
5.5 Education offered
5.5.2
Bachelor (# programmes
and # students)
Master (# programmes and
5.5.3
# students)
Ph.D. (# programmes and #
5.5.4
students)
Remarks (part time,
5.5.1
Social Sciences
Exact Sciences
230 students
922 students
Biomedical
sciences
852 students
2 programmes
4 programmes
11 programmes
1 programme
2 programmes
10 programmes



distance etc.)
6. VLIR-UOS contact persons (meeting and/or for future communication)
6.1 Contact person 1
6.1.1
Family name + First name
Dr. Maria Irene Balbín Arias
Postal address: Autopista Nacional, Km 231/2 y Carretera de
Tapaste, San José de las Lajas, A.P. 32700, Provincia
Mayabeque, Cuba
6.1.2
Contact details
Phone number: (53 47) 862908/863395
Website: www.isch.edu.cu
Email: irene@isch.edu.cu
6.1.3
Academic position
Rector
6.1.4
Title/Gender
PhD, Full Professor/Female
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
122
6.1.5
6.1.6
6.1.7
Prior contacts with
Belgium/Belgian actors
VLIR-UOS history

Remarks, agreement future
communication


6.2 Contact person 2
6.2.1
Family name + First name
Dr. Adianez Taboada Zamora
Postal address: Autopista Nacional, Km 231/2 y Carretera de
Tapaste, San José de las Lajas, A.P. 32700, Provincia
Mayabeque, Cuba
6.2.2
Contact details
Phone number: (53 47) 862917/860112
Website: www.isch.edu.cu
Email: taboada@isch.edu.cu
6.2.3
Academic position
6.2.4
Title/Gender
6.2.5
Prior contacts with
Belgium/Belgian actors
VLIR-UOS history

Remarks, agreement future
communication

6.2.6
6.2.7
Vice-rector of Research, Postgraduate Courses and
International
Relations
PhD,
Full Professor/Female

6.3 Contact person 3
6.3.1
Family name + First name
Dr. Maria Elena Ruiz Perez
Postal address: Autopista Nacional, Km 231/2 y Carretera de
Tapaste, San José de las Lajas, A.P. 32700, Provincia
Mayabeque, Cuba
6.3.2
Contact details
Phone number: (53 47) 860313
Website: www.isch.edu.cu
Email: mruiz@isch.edu.cu
6.3.3
Academic position
Director of the Agro-physics Research Unit (GIAF) and Project
6.3.4
Title/Gender
Coordinator
PhD,
Full Professor/Female
6.3.5
Prior contacts with
Belgium/Belgian actors
Own initiative project “Improvement soil salinity management
under sugar cane using Geo-informatics”
Own initiative project Capacity building of UNAH and CENHICA
in view of a soil and water conservation programme in the Rio
Cuyaguateje watershed in Western Cuba
6.3.6
VLIR-UOS history
12 years of cooperation under VLIR projects between GIAF –
UGENT (Department of Soil Management and Soil Care)
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
123
6.3.7

Remarks, agreement future
communication
7. International Cooperation
Main international
7.1
donors/projects/budgetary
importance (%)
AECID, ALFA Programme (UE), HIVOS, VLIR
7.2
Available audit and/or
Yes
evaluation reports
Institutional handling of
Every audit made by each project during their implementation
projects
has been evaluated satisfactorily.
Main South-South
The UNAH is an active member of cooperation networks in
networks
Latin America.
7.3
7.4
Increasing the involvement of the UNAH in international
Major challenges with
7.5
regard to international
cooperation
projects and associations in order to diversify and foster
institutional links with other universities and research centres,
contributing to the achievements of the main academic and
scientific objectives of the institution.
The Complex has fruitful collaboration with agricultural
research centres in Spain, France, Germany, Sweden, and
7.6
Remarks
Canada as well as in some Latin American countries. The
cooperation with International Organisations such as FAO and
UNDP is also remarkable.
8. Expressed needs, opportunities and modalities
8.1 Institutional Policy (Education, Research, Governance/policies, Service delivery or
institutional support services, Infrastructure)

Design, exploitation and technical service of
engineering systems for the agricultural and livestock
production
8.1.1
Strategic Institutional
Needs

Economical effectiveness of agrarian units

Agro-physics and geo-informatics related to agrarian
processes

Modelling and simulation of processes

Management of local development

Efficient use of energy
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
124
8.1.2
Strategic priorities that can
be addressed through
Studies on the quality of products, processes and
technologies that belong to the agricultural and engineering
academic cooperation
systems.
(with justification)
8.1.3
Strategic priorities that are
linked with national
Improvements on Higher Education.
priorities in Higher
Education
Strategic priorities that are
8.1.4
linked with national
priorities in development/
poverty reduction

Reduction of agrarian disasters.

Protection of the environment. Soil, water and genetic
resources preservation.

Production of food from plant and animal origin
8.2 Thematic and disciplinary needs/interest

Raising food production by controlling the degradation
processes of soils and the efficient application of
irrigation in the study regions in Cuba.
8.2.1
Disciplinary (theme) based

Quality of agricultural products. Postharvest.

Small industries for preservation of fruits and
vegetables.

Animal health and production of medicines.

Projects to support communities and farm buildings.

Generalization and extension of social results into
practice.

Adaptation of farming systems to Global Changes to
increase production efficiency.

Improvements in the Agrarian Higher Education.

Systems and Information Management Knowledge for
decision making by governments.

Interconnectivity between governments and
strategic priorities
universities with direct impact on the agricultural
branch.

Strengthening Management for fostering the
Internationalization strategy of the complex, promoting
the implementation of research and academic actions
through networking and joint doctoral programmes in
dual degree.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
125
Disciplinary (theme) based
8.2.2
strategic priorities in view
of developmental change,
opportunities and impact
The same themes mentioned in 8.2.1
Appreciation of relative
8.2.3
institutional and societal
importance of expressed
Flemish interest in
cooperation with your
There is a correspondence between the Flemish interests and
the research and educational lines of the Complex.
institution
8.2.4
Appreciation of
The UNAH and the research centres of the complex have been
institutional
importance/interest of
focusing their scientific activity on food security, food
production and rural development. These thematic areas are in
expressed Flemish interest
in cooperation with
correspondence which the main research interests of the
universities in Flanders and the cooperation priorities of the
'country'.
Flemish Community in Cuba.
8.3 Opportunities
Good relationship with universities in Flanders and a large
Appeal factors for
academic cooperation
8.3.1
(Unique Selling
Proposition) (co-funding
etc.)
range of partnership in Cuba and abroad will allow the
implementation of fruitful academic and scientific actions.
Taking into consideration the national priorities and Flemish
interest, there is a huge potential on the creation of a
multilateral network on food production/security for fostering
postgraduate courses, MSc, PhDs and joint research activities
in different disciplines within agricultural sciences.
The institutions that formed the Complex have a staff of
excellence. Taking into account the quality and dimension of
8.3.2
Opportunities for
development relevant
research and societal
impact
their research activities they are recognised as national
leaders on Agricultural Sciences. The UNAH cooperates with
national governmental institutions such as the Ministry of
Agriculture and has excellent cooperation with cooperatives
and the rural private sector among other key stakeholders in
Cuba. Those interactions are expressed in a wide range of
activities such as courses, seminars, workshops, advisory
actions and scientific research.
8.3.3
Generic needs of Higher
Education that should be
The improvement of the quality of undergraduate and
postgraduate teaching, research and the institutional
addressed at supra- and
strengthening in order to contribute to the development of the
inter-institutional level
country.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
126
8.4 Modalities
Preferred intervention level
(institutional programme,
8.4.1
departmental project,
scholarships, mobility,
Institutional programme, departmental project, scholarships,
mobility, student exchanges
student exchanges etc)
All the institutions of the Complex have a vast experience in
Views on academic
8.4.2
partnership (values,
transparency etc.)
the implementation of international cooperation actions. The
institutional bonds established by the UNAH with Flemish
universities during several years of cooperation are the best
prove of the responsibility and professionalism of the
university, its academics and scientist.

The university gained an international recognition and
also a CITMA award due to the organisation of the Latin
American Network (CYTED), on monitoring and
management of natural disasters in agriculture.

Network for Intellectual Property" (PILA, according to
its initials in Spanish): 18 universities from Latin
Network or multi
8.4.3
Active member of the ALFA Project "International
stakeholder strategy and
opportunities
America and 3 from Europe are involved.

UNAH together with OCPI (Cuban Office for Intellectual
Property) are the coordinators of this network in Cuba
in which participate other institutions such as UCLV,
CENSA, INCA, UH, CIGB,

International Network for Sustainable Development
Data.
9. Overall assessment with particular focus on IUC potential
Vision, leadership,
9.1
governance and
management capacity and
stability
9.2
The UNAH sets a high standard of quality in the
implementation of its academic, scientific and cultural
activities.
Institutional policies and
The complex is intended to impact on food security and rural
practices with regard to
local, regional and national
development of at national level, through the promoting of
educational, research and extension activities. For the
development policies and
achievement of this goal, the 4 institutions work intensively on
multi stakeholder
orientation
their integration as the most important and solid scientific and
academic pole of the country on agricultural sciences.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
127
Capacity (systems,
infrastructure, academic
9.3
level) to accommodate
academic cooperation and
manage related funding
and mobility
9.4
9.5
Thematic congruence with
Soil Physics, Land degradation processes (erosion, salinity,
contamination, compaction), Soil Conservation, Geo-
VLIR-UOS interest at
academic and country level
informatics (simulation models Geographic Information
Likelihood of effects and
spin offs beyond campus
(community, commercial,
academic networks)
Systems and Remote Sensing), water use efficiency and
conservation.
High
The implementation of cooperation projects financed by the
9.6
Relative suitability of VLIR-
VLIR-UOS for fostering a food production culture or the
improvement of the rural development in Cuba will be of great
UOS intervention types in
view of institution status
impact. UNAH, CENSA, ICA and INCA as well as other
institutions in Cuba (UCLV, UDG, UO, UH, UC) have the
and interest with particular
focus on IUC potential.
required capacity for assuring a suitable and sustainable
project with great social, economical and scientific impact.
However UNAH does not fit the regional priority of Eastern
Cuba for an IUC.
1. Basic institutional data
1.1
Name university
Institutional contact details
1.2
(Postal, tel/fax, website, email..)
Universidad de Oriente
Postal Address: Ave. Patricio Lumumba s/n Altos de Quintero.
Santiago de Cuba. CP 90500
Phone: 53 22 631860
Website: www.uo.edu.cu
Email: comunicacion@consejo.uo.edu.cu
1.3
Foundation year
1947
1.4
Status (private, public)
Public
2. VLIR-UOS/Flemish/Belgian linkages
2.1
Submitting association
2.2
VLIR-UOS projects (past
VLIR-UOS

and current)
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
128
Some collaborations contacts have been developed in the
past, which resulted in more than 25 scientific articles. The
2.3
Other links with Belgian
main contacts were developed with the University of Gent. In
actors
2003, Prof. Richard Delanghe was awarded with the Honorary
Doctorate. Prof. Andreas DeLeenheer, Rector of the University
of Gent visited the UO as well.
Other VLIR-UOS linkages
2.4
(scholars, Flemish
students etc.)

3. Flemish interest in cooperation (country, region, institution)
3.1
Flemish interest (names
and groups)

3.2
Flemish interest (themes,
disciplines, content,

context)
4. University: Summary qualitative appraisal
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
129
Universidad de Oriente was founded, through a ceremony
carried out by the Provincial Government of Santiago de Cuba,
on October 10th, 1947. The precedents of this institution take
us back to the seminary of San Basilio el Magno, created in
Santiago de Cuba in 1722. Several generations of people from
Santiago tried unsuccessfully to turn this seminary into a
university. Indeed, the foundation of Universidad de Oriente
rewarded the efforts and cultural aspirations of the Eastern
region held for more than a century. The university was
temporarily recognized by the Council of Ministers on April
27th, 1948. From that moment on a new stage of fight- that of
its legalization- began in order to guarantee its development.
The struggle for an official, autonomous, public university
turned into a demand of the province through governmental,
4.1
Foundation, developmental
social and civic institutions and trade unions and the people in
general. Under the Law 16, passed on March 22nd, 1949, the
milestones, management
university became an official institution and was included in
structure
the national budget. In its early years, the institution based its
curriculum on scientific and humanistic disciplines, some of
which are still kept as a legacy of the founders and other
personalities whose contributions mark the spirit of the
university. From 1976 on, different teaching facilities-that
eventually became independent Higher Education Centreswere built in the eastern region of Cuba. In 2002, with the
creation of the University Municipal Facilities within the
province, the university strengthened its foundation principle
to offer public and free education to all sectors of society.
To accomplish the mission assigned to the university, the
institution relies on a Central Structure composed of a Rector,
five Vice-Presidents, a General Secretary, sixteen
managements, six independent departments, two integrated
Centres of Studies, eleven Faculties, eight Municipal University
Centres and eight Municipal Facilities.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
130
Universidad de Oriente is a leading institution when it comes
to teaching, research and postgraduate activities. In
cooperation with other Centres of Higher Education, the
institution holds the greatest percent in the formation of
Masters and Doctors of the eastern region. In the past five
years the university graduated 220 PhD students of sciences-
4.2
National position,
98 of them from the university staff- which represents an
estimate of 44 Doctors every year. Since 1959, more than 1000
leadership areas, most
international students have graduated through Government
proud achievement
Agreements. The institution is part of 10 international networks
and an active member of the Union of Latin American
Universities (UDUAL), the Inter American University
Organization (OUI) and the Latin American Postgraduate
University Association (AUIP). The institution keeps a leading
role in areas like Biophysics and advanced medical equipment,
applied electromagnetism, sociological studies of culture,
environment and coastal zones integrated management.
The university has strengthened the links with the institutions
and entities of the region, especially with the industrial, health,
hydraulic, construction, agricultural, telecommunications,
administrative, cultural, legal and services sectors. The bonds
between the local governments and the university facilities
4.3
Relationship with
stakeholders (authorities,
increase considerably, thereby carrying out projects of local
and community interest. The managers express their
civil society, industry etc.)
satisfaction concerning their formation in postgraduate
programs and the significant contributions of such formation
in their research and professional performance. We have
experienced an increase in the management and consultancy
of the planning and implementation processes of training
strategies of the Municipal and Provincial Administrative
Councils and other prioritized institutions of the territory.
The university has reached an average of 900 publications in
general every year. 219 of them in relevant journals, 46 in
4.4
Self assessment of
research and publication
ability and output
journals of the Web of Science, 66 books and 52 monographs.
There is a strategy to increase the levels of visibility and
relevance of the scientific journals. Revista Santiago, Revista
Cubana de Química and Tecnología Química are included in
the Academic Google since 2007, and are currently submitted
to an assessment to be included in the data base Redalyc and
SciELO from 2011 on.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
131
The visibility of the centre at regional, national and
international level. Planning and execution of a strategy to
internationalize the university, which makes the institution
4.5
Institutional strengths
more visible in other countries in many ways. Implementation
of international projects that have contributed, with relevant
results, to increase the quality of teaching, research,
postgraduate and extension activities. The university academic
staff has prestige, highlighting many professors that are
positively acknowledged nationally and internationally.
4.6
Institutional weaknesses
The resources for maintenance and renovation of the
There is a clear definition of the prioritized research areas, in
infrastructure are not enough. There has been a deterioration
accordance to the mission of the institution and the priorities
of the infrastructure in the last years and there are limited
of the Ministry of Higher Education of the territory and the
resources to develop the scientific, technical and postgraduate
country in general. Universidad de Oriente manages the
activities, including the limitations on speed while surfing the
Network of Centres of the Eastern Region, which meet every
internet. There are problems on the visibility of the scientific
year through cooperation workshops whose agreements and
production related to the limitations on internet access and
decisions have positive impacts on scientific and postgraduate
non-free journals, due to the American embargo.
activities.
5. University: Summary qualitative appraisal
5.1 Budget
% Government
funded
EUR/student
VLIR budget as
%
VLIR EUR
100%
Trend, quality of
funding
Financial constraints
5.2 Staffing situation

5.2.1
Total # staff
5.2.2
Total # academic staff
2352 (1194 Full Time)
5.2.3
% female academic staff
51,72%
5.2.4
% open vacancies
5.2.5
# Ph.D. Holders on staff
256
5.2.6
Staff-student ratio
8,67 students/1 member of the academic staff
5.2.7
Teaching load
5.2.8
Staff turn-over

53% of the time dedicated to teaching activities and 47% to
researching activities
The academic staff has a high level of stability
One of the priorities of the university is to reinforce the quality
5.2.9
Remarks staffing
of the academic staff, especially the youngest members
through the implementation of PhD training programmes. 345
members of the academic staff hold a master degree.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
132
5.3 Student body
5.3.1
Total # students
20414
5.3.2
% female students
30,12%
Improvement of the Higher Education Processes seeking
higher standards of quality, prioritising national accreditation
5.3.3
Trend
and international recognition. Academic programmes will
focus on local development, offering solutions for the main
economical and social problems of the
country/region/province.
5.3.4
Remarks (distance
education etc.)
Introduction of TICs in the university processes in a gradual
form.
5.4 Strategic plan
5.4.1
Strategic plan
Yes
5.4.2
Time coverage
Every 5 years with a yearly own assessment.
5.5 Education offered
5.5.2
Bachelor (# programmes
and # students)
Master (# programmes and
5.5.3
# students)
Ph.D. (# programmes and #
5.5.1
5.5.4
students)
Remarks (part time,
distance etc.)
Social Sciences
Exact Sciences
Biomedical
14 programmes
8 Programmes in
Natural and Exact
2 Programmes
in
Sciences
+ 12 in
sciences
1 Programme
14 programmes
27 Tutorial PhDs

Natural
and
Exact
Technical
Sciences
10
Tutorial
PhDs
Sciences
+ 12
in in
Natural
and
Exact
Technical Sciences
Sciences
+ 29

1 Programme
1 Tutorial PhD

Tutorial PhDs in
Technical Sciences
6. VLIR-UOS contact persons (meeting and/or for future communication)
6.1 Contact person 1
6.1.1
Family name + First name
Dr. Martha del Carmen Mesa Valenciano
Postal Address: Ave. Patricio Lumumba s/n Altos de Quintero.
Santiago de Cuba. CP 90500
6.1.2
Contact details
Phone: 53 22 631860 Fax: 53 22 632689
Website: www.uo.edu.cu
Email: rectororiente@consejo.uo.edu.cu
6.1.3
Academic position
Rector
6.1.4
Title/Gender
PhD, Full time Professor/Female
6.1.5
Prior contacts with

Belgium/Belgian actors
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
133
6.1.6
VLIR-UOS history

6.1.7
Remarks, agreement future
communication

6.2 Contact person 2
6.2.1
Family name + First name
Dr. Hipólito Domingo Carvajal Fals
Postal Address: Ave. Patricio Lumumba s/n Altos de Quintero.
Santiago de Cuba. CP 90500
6.2.2
Contact details
Phone: 53 22 631860 Fax: 53 22 632689
Website: www.uo.edu.cu
6.2.3
Academic position
Vice-rector
for Science and Technology
Email: vrip@consejo.uo.edu.cu
PhD, Full time Professor/Male
6.2.4
Title/Gender
6.2.5
Prior contacts with

6.2.6
Belgium/Belgian actors
VLIR-UOS history

6.2.7
Remarks, agreement future

communication
6.3 Contact person 3
6.3.1
Family name + First name
MSc. Luisa Villafruela Loperena
Postal Address: Universidad de Oriente, Sede Mella. Avenida
Las Américas S/N, Santiago de Cuba 90900
6.3.2
Contact details
Phone: 53 22 641701 Fax: 53 22 632689
Website: www.uo.edu.cu
Email: dri@ri.uo.edu.cu
6.3.3
Academic position
Director of International Relations
6.3.4
Title/Gender
MSc, Full time Professor/Female
6.3.5
Prior contacts with

6.3.6
Belgium/Belgian actors
VLIR-UOS history

6.3.7
Remarks, agreement future

communication
7. International Cooperation
7.1
7.2
Main international
donors/projects/budgetary
The UO is an active member of UDUAL, OUI, UNICA and AUIP.
In the last few years its major donors have been: CAPES
importance (%)
(Brazil), AECID (Spain), COSUDE (Switzerland) and CIDA
(Canada).
Available audit and/or
Yes
evaluation reports
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
134
The coordination of the international projects is responsibility
of the International Relation Office. This central office
7.3
Institutional handling of
projects
maintains a permanent coordination with the area of Science
and Technology, the faculties and research centres for
supplying information as well as for technically supporting in
the preparation and implementation of projects in which these
areas are involved.
7.4
Main South-South
networks
In the context of the south-south cooperation the UO is very
active in Latin America and the Caribbean Region, developing
various projects with universities in Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil
and many of the Caribbean Islands, among other countries.
Diversify the cooperation bonds of the university with other
7.5
Major challenges with
higher education institutions, especially in Europe,
regard to international
cooperation
participating in a dynamic way in networks or multilateral
projects such as 7 Framework Programme of the UE for
Science and Technology.
7.6
Remarks

8. Expressed needs, opportunities and modalities
8.1 Institutional Policy (Education, Research, Governance/policies, Service delivery or
institutional support services, Infrastructure)
8.1.1
Strategic Institutional
Needs
Access to updated information from different fields of science.
Improvement of the existing infrastructure to accomplish the
mission of the institution.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
135
Formation of a competent professional: the university sets its
priorities, the increasing quality of higher education in all
kinds of courses and teaching scenarios. To be efficient in this
endeavour, it is necessary to conjugate many factorsadministrative, financial, and informative- that are essential to
the formation of professionals that could meet the needs of the
society. The international cooperation would allow the
improvement of the elements that could guarantee the
functioning of the processes, and would extend the most
successful experiences of the Cuban Higher Educationacknowledged worldwide- to other institutions and countries.
Staff of excellence: this priority implies the creation and
8.1.2
Strategic priorities that can
renovation of spaces-physical and of exchange-that allow the
be addressed through
academic cooperation
introduction of technology, knowledge and practices to
improve the staff quality and its teaching, research and
(with justification)
development capacity. In the same way, the university has
professors and departments of international visibility in many
areas in which the institution plays a leading role.
Social and economical impact: Universidad de Oriente has a
leading position when it comes to scientific and academic
development in the Eastern region and the country. However,
the current demands of the Cuban society need to have the
institution increase its influence on the solution of social
needs through pre-graduate and postgraduate programs. In
this sense, the relevance of the university for the society is
guaranteed. Through academic cooperation, the all the
institutions involved could achieve a greatest social impact in
their respective communities.
Strategic priorities that are
8.1.3
linked with national
priorities in Higher
All the priorities of the institution are in accordance with those
of the Ministry of Higher Education in the country. The
university always sets its goals following this pattern.
Education
8.1.4
Strategic priorities that are
The national priorities for the development of the country are
based on the education sector and more particularly the higher
linked with national
priorities in development/
education as the scenario where knowledge and practice
combine. This bond between academic institutions and social
poverty reduction
needs goes stronger nowadays given the capacity of the
universities to be found in multiple spaces-national, provincial
and municipal.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
136
8.2 Thematic and disciplinary needs/interest
Energy, Food production and development of agricultural and
livestock sciences, Environment and development of
environmental sciences, Local development, Improvement of
higher education, Infrastructure management and institutional
development projects, Development of basic sciences,
Biotechnology, Advanced technology and nanotechnology,
8.2.1
Disciplinary (theme) based
strategic priorities
Development of medical equipment and support to health
services and biomedical applications, Society computerization,
Development of education-related ICT, Socio cultural studies
and development of social sciences, Studies on integration
processes from the Eastern region of Cuba and the Caribbean,
Business and industrial improvement and development of
cleaner Technologies, Ecotoxicology, Risk integrated
management, Heritage, housing, planning and vulnerability
studies..
Energy, bio-fuels and cleaner Technologies
Advanced medical equipment
Agriculture and environment for local development
Strengthening of basic and natural sciences
Strengthening of social and humanistic sciences
Disciplinary (theme) based
8.2.2
strategic priorities in view
of developmental change,
opportunities and impact
Strengthening of scientific information and library
management
Strengthening of networks infrastructure, computerization and
telecommunications
Strengthening of the university infrastructure for
undergraduate and postgraduate formation
Strengthening of university management
Strengthening of communication skills in English for Science
and Technology
Appreciation of relative
institutional and societal
8.2.3
importance of expressed
Flemish interest in

cooperation with your
institution
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
137
In terms of content, the strategic framework of VLIR-UOS
expertise in Cuba on the basis of current findings consider a
variety of broad overarching multidisciplinary themes in the
Flemish cooperation with Cuba, but it is clear that Flanders
could offer expertise that would seem to match the
Appreciation of
8.2.4
institutional
developmental needs of Eastern Cuba. A number of themes
were put forward during the discussions, which match our
importance/interest of
expressed Flemish interest
interest with VLIR interest; there are: food security and
agriculture (including rural development, plant & animal
in cooperation with
'country'.
sciences and biotechnology), environment (incl. environmental
management, drugs discovery/medicinal plants, bio-fuels &
clean and efficient technologies, energy) cultural and human
development (cultural heritage, language and culture, city
conservation and planning, human settlements), health
(collaborations with ITG; bio-medics and statistics), and
computer sciences and ICT in education.
8.3 Opportunities
8.3.1
Appeal factors for
academic cooperation
Leading role in the eastern region that allows the
implementation of academic cooperation projects for the
(Unique Selling
Proposition) (co-funding
development of the institution in areas with scientific,
technological, teaching, economical and social impact.
etc.)
The presence of a university with three campuses that
8.3.2
Opportunities for
integrate technical, agricultural and livestock, basic, natural,
social, humanistic and exact sciences, and the will for
development relevant
integration guarantee the capacity for the problematic
research and societal
impact
approach of solutions, rather than for the disciplinary one. The
leadership of the university in the region. The growing
demands at local level and the development plans for the
region.
Quality management, efficiency and rationality in the university
processes. Management of the scientific and technological
8.3.3
Generic needs of Higher
Education that should be
addressed at supra- and
inter-institutional level
activities in the networks, meeting the priorities of the country.
Management of science impact, innovation and postgraduate
programs in the institution. Infrastructure improvement and
management. Management of the relevance of the professional
formation. University management of ways to meet the needs
at local and territorial level. Management of academic
collaboration, cooperation and exchange at regional, national
and international level.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
138
8.4 Modalities
Preferred intervention level
(institutional programme,
8.4.1
departmental project,
scholarships, mobility,
Institutional Programme
student exchanges etc)
The members of the UO staff are known by their professional
Views on academic
8.4.2
partnership (values,
transparency etc.)
ethic, moral values and institutional commitment. The UO
applies a rigorous control of all the funds especially of those
received as a consequence of its participation in international
actions. The institution can guarantee a high quality of
academic and scientific partnership as well as transparency
and adequate use of all the financial means allocated through
international cooperation.
Experiences shown while working within the networks. The
8.4.3
Network or multi
stakeholder strategy and
opportunities
obtaining of results through the cooperation with other
institutions at regional, national and international level.
Problem solving integrated approach. Experiences while
working with interdisciplinary teams in the teaching and
research processes. Experiences in the implementation of
inter and trans-disciplinary projects.
9. Overall assessment with particular focus on IUC potential
Founded 64 years ago, the institution has developed
Vision, leadership,
9.1
governance and
management capacity and
stability
progressively, which proves its administrative and stability
capacity.
The University shows evident strengths in leadership and
management
9.2
9.3
Institutional policies and
There is a strategy that favours local development through
practices with regard to
verification experiences, in which the consolidation of the
local, regional and national
development policies and
network of people and organizations involved is considered a
priority. The policy of the university gives priority to impact
multi stakeholder
orientation
management, cooperative research and the work within
research networks on prioritised fields.
Capacity (systems,
The current infrastructure and the academic level of the
infrastructure, academic
university contribute to an adequate cooperation, financial and
level) to accommodate
academic cooperation and
mobility management. The structure of the institution can
handle any cooperation management initiative and has
manage related funding
and mobility
capacity for the implementation of cooperation projects for
development.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
139
Thematic congruence with
9.4
VLIR-UOS interest at
academic and country level
There is coherence with the interests with the VLIR-UOS links
at the academic level within the university and the country. The
strategy of the institution goes in accordance with the
priorities established by the country.
9.5
Likelihood of effects and
spin offs beyond campus
The university has a great impact on the society and the
network of institutions it cooperates with at regional, national
(community, commercial,
academic networks)
and international level.
The University is a good candidate for an IUC partnership.
Implementation of an IUC Programme in the UO will contribute
Relative suitability of VLIRUOS intervention types in
9.6
view of institution status
and interest with particular
focus on IUC potential.
to a significant social and economical development of the 6
provinces included in the eastern region. The UO as the
leading higher education institution in the region will increase
its academic and scientific potential as well as its institutional
capacity. This improvement will allow the UO to foster and
diversify new initiatives of cooperation with other stakeholders
of the country, especially universities, research centres and
public or private enterprises of the territories from Camaguey
to Guantanamo.
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
140
Annex 6: Country strategy framework from Flemish (north) seminar)
THEMES
DOMAINS
CUBA
EDUCATION
SUBTHEMES/AR
EAS
Regions
Partners
Maste
PH
r
D
RESEARCH
Short
Multidis
training
ciplinar
Resear
,
recyclin
y
researc
ch
output
g
h
x
x
EXTENSION
Collaborati
ve training
MANAGEMENT
Worksho
ps
/societal
activity
EFFECT
Internatio
nal
HRD
networki
ng and
linkages
CONTENT BASED THEMES
Western
Cuba Rural
developmen
Pinar del
Rio,
t and soil
Havana
systems
and
Matanzas
FOOD
UNAH
x
x
x
x
THEMATIC
Province
SECURITY
Salt stress
in relation to
food
security
Food
production
Eastern
Cuba
CAPACITY
Granma
x
x
x
UCLV
x
x
x
x
x
(Granma)
Vila Clara
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
141
x
THEMES
DOMAINS
CUBA
EDUCATION
SUBTHEMES/AR
Regions
Partners
EAS
Maste
PH
r
D
RESEARCH
Short
Multidis
training
,
ciplinar
y
Resear
ch
recyclin
researc
output
g
h
EXTENSION
Collaborati
ve training
MANAGEMENT
Worksho
ps
/societal
activity
EFFECT
Internatio
HRD
nal
networki
ng and
linkages
& chain
Plant
sciences
(for
UCLV
Vila Clara
agrictulture)
and Univ.
Ciego de
x
x
x
Avila
Animal
Sciences &
production
(genetics +
Sancti
Spiritus
CIMAGT
x
x
x
x
dairy
production)
ENVIRONM
ENT
Clean
Technologie
s
Univ de
Cienfuego
s
Cienfueg
os,
x
x
x
ISPJAE
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
142
x
x
THEMATIC
CAPACITY
THEMES
DOMAINS
CUBA
EDUCATION
SUBTHEMES/AR
Regions
Partners
EAS
Biofuels
Sancti
Spiritus
Maste
PH
r
D
RESEARCH
Short
Multidis
training
,
ciplinar
y
Resear
ch
recyclin
researc
output
g
h
EXTENSION
Collaborati
ve training
MANAGEMENT
Worksho
ps
/societal
activity
Universit
y José
Marti
x
x
x
x
x
x
Pérez,
Sancti
Spiritus,
Research
Center
for
Renewable
and efficient
energy
Sancti
Energy
Spiritus
and
Industrial
Processe
s,
ISPJAE
Water
(quantity,
quality)and
Pinar del
Rio/Havan
basic
a Province
UNAH
x
x
x
sanitation
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
143
x
Internatio
HRD
nal
networki
ng and
linkages
EFFECT
THEMES
DOMAINS
CUBA
EDUCATION
SUBTHEMES/AR
Regions
Partners
EAS
Climate
PH
r
D
Short
Multidis
training
,
ciplinar
y
Resear
ch
recyclin
researc
output
g
h
EXTENSION
Collaborati
ve training
MANAGEMENT
Worksho
ps
/societal
activity
EFFECT
Internatio
HRD
nal
networki
ng and
linkages
Pinar del
change
Rio/Havan
a Province
Environmen
tal law,
Cienfuego
s
managemen
t and
education
Maste
RESEARCH
Vila Clara
UNAH
x
x
x
x
x
Univ de
Cienfueg
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
os
UCLV
Economic
and social
THEMATIC
CAPACITY
developme
nt, cultural
issues
IPK - Inst
HIV/Aids
HEALTH
(improve
therapy,
Havana
and Cuba
of trop
medicine
drug
"Pedro
resistance
Kouri"
x
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
x
x
144
x
x
x
THEMATIC
CAPACITY
THEMES
DOMAINS
CUBA
EDUCATION
SUBTHEMES/AR
Regions
Partners
EAS
Maste
PH
r
D
RESEARCH
Short
Multidis
training
,
ciplinar
y
Resear
ch
recyclin
researc
output
g
h
testing)
UCLV,
Drug
Medicinal
plants for
drug
production
Vila Clara
Research
and
x
Develop
ment
Centre
(CIDEM)
Pharmacolo
Havana
gy, drug
testing
and Vila
Clara
Medical
statistics
IFAL //
UCLV
x
x
x
x
Univ de
Havana
la
x
x
x
Habana
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
145
EXTENSION
Collaborati
ve training
MANAGEMENT
Worksho
ps
/societal
activity
Internatio
HRD
nal
networki
ng and
linkages
EFFECT
THEMES
DOMAINS
CUBA
EDUCATION
SUBTHEMES/AR
Regions
Partners
EAS
Maste
PH
r
D
RESEARCH
Short
Multidis
training
,
ciplinar
y
Resear
ch
recyclin
researc
output
g
h
EXTENSION
Collaborati
ve training
MANAGEMENT
Worksho
ps
/societal
activity
EFFECT
Internatio
HRD
nal
networki
ng and
linkages
SERVICE/SUPPORT BASED INSTITUTIONAL THEMES
Institutional
Policy
Vila Clara
Research
Policy and
UCLV
x
x
Univ de
Culture
(incl.
Havana
and Vila
la
Habana
Institutiona
Statistics
Clara
and
SUPPORT
l
strengthen
for
research)
UCLV
CAPACITY
ENABLING
ing
x
x
x
x
ENVIRON
MENT
Educational
policies
(QA,
accreditatio
n, Capacity
Vila Clara
UCLV
x
x
x
building in
communicat
ion/languag
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
146
x
x
THEMES
DOMAINS
CUBA
EDUCATION
SUBTHEMES/AR
Regions
Partners
EAS
Maste
PH
r
D
RESEARCH
Short
Multidis
training
,
ciplinar
y
Resear
ch
recyclin
researc
output
g
h
EXTENSION
Collaborati
ve training
MANAGEMENT
Worksho
ps
/societal
activity
EFFECT
Internatio
HRD
nal
networki
ng and
linkages
e training)
Extension
and link
with
industry
(research
parks)
Santa
Clara
Informatio
n culture
and
manageme
nt
Library
(national
Automation
for library
automatio
SUPPORT
UCLV
CAPACITY
ENABLING
x
ENVIRON
MENT
n)
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
147
THEMES
DOMAINS
CUBA
EDUCATION
SUBTHEMES/AR
Regions
Partners
EAS
Library and
information
Vila Clara
UCLV
Regional
integration -
Vila Clara
provincial
UCLV
provinces
level
ICT in
education
Vila Clara
(national
(E-learning
& other)
for free
software)
Computer
sciences
Santa
Clara
Infrastructur
Santa
Clara
managemen
Maste
PH
r
D
RESEARCH
Short
Multidis
training
,
ciplinar
y
Resear
ch
recyclin
researc
output
g
h
x
EXTENSION
Collaborati
ve training
MANAGEMENT
Worksho
ps
/societal
activity
EFFECT
Internatio
HRD
nal
networki
ng and
linkages
x
t
ICT
UCLV
x
x
x
x
SUPPORT
CAPACITY
UCLV
x
ENABLING
ENVIRON
x
MENT
e dev
EFFECT
UCLV
x
(CTG)
NEW PROGRAMMES,
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
RESEARCH
148
EXTENSION
VISION,
THEMES
DOMAINS
CUBA
EDUCATION
SUBTHEMES/AR
EAS
Regions
Partners
Maste
PH
r
D
RESEARCH
Short
Multidis
training
,
ciplinar
y
Resear
ch
recyclin
researc
output
g
h
EXTENSION
Collaborati
ve training
MANAGEMENT
Worksho
ps
/societal
activity
Internatio
HRD
nal
networki
ng and
linkages
IMPROVED TEACHING
CAPACITY,
CAPACITY, CULTURE,
STRUCTURES
QUALITY ETC.
CULTURE,
OUTPUT
OUTPUT
AND
PRACTICES,
PROCEDURES
Cuba Country Strategy and IUC Partner Identification Mission Report
149
EFFECT