International Education at Havana University: experiences and perspectivesInternational Education at Havana University: experiences and perspectives

Population: 11,200,000, 50.3% are women. 97.5% of children until 14 years go to school 2.3 millions of students in different educational levels 220 institutions of Science and Tech with more than 30,000 professionals 1.8 scientists and engineers per 1000 inhabitants. 67 Universities in the country and more 20,000 faculty More than de 7000 PhD

C U B A TodayC U B A Today

C U B A TodayC U B A Today

From 1959 to 2012 : more than 900,000 university graduates

Medical Sciences18 %

Education 35 %

Others 9%

38%

Social Sciences and Humanities

Natural and Exact Sciences

Technical Sciences

Agricultural Sciences

Economics

6% of the Cuban population has completed an undergraduate program All new graduates are granted jobs; they receive their university diploma together with notices of employment In Cuba one of each seven workers is a university graduate

38%

Granma

Cienfuegos

Matanzas

Villa ClaraSancti Spíritus Ciego de Avila

Camagüey

Tunas

Holguín

Guantánamo

Pinar del RíoLa Habana

Santiago

de Cuba

Isla de la Juventud

Artemisa

Mayabeque

Cuba Provinces

JBNJBN

Main Main CampusCampus

La Habana

TararáTarará

BiologíaColegio San GerónimoComunicaciónContabilidad y FinanzasDerechoEconomíaEducación a DistanciaFarmacia y AlimentosArtes y Letras

Filosofía e HistoriaFísicaGeografíaLenguas ExtranjerasMatemática y

ComputaciónPsicologíaQuímica FENHITurismo

18 Academic Units

18 Research Centers

• Jardín Botánico Nacional (JBN)

• Centro de Investigaciones Marinas (CIM)

• Centro de Investigaciones de la Economía Internacional (CIEI)

• Centro de Estudios Demográficos (CEDEM)

• Instituto de Ciencias de los Materiales (IMRE)

• Centro de Biomateriales (BIOMAT)

• Centro de Estudios de la Economía Cubana (CEEC)

• Centro de Estudios de Técnicas de Dirección (CETED)

• Centro de Estudios de Perfeccionamiento de la Educación Superior (CEPES)

• Centro de Estudios de Salud y Bienestar Humano (CESBH)

• Centro de Estudios de Medio Ambiente (CEMA)

• Centro de Estudios sobre Migraciones (CEMI)

• Centro de Estudios Hemisféricos y sobre Estados Unidos (CEHSEU)

• Centro de Estudios de Administración

• Pública (CEAP)• Facultad Latinoamericana de

Ciencias Sociales (FLACSO)• Centro de Estudios de

Proteínas• Centro de Estudios de

Productos Naturales• Centro de Estudios de

Investigaciones y Evaluaciones Biológicas

Undergraduate Students

Graduate Students Total 26,000 in 2012

Total 23,500

23 PhD programs in 23 PhD programs in 21 areas of knowledge21 areas of knowledge

Human Resources

2 Museums 2 Museums

• 6 subsidiaries 6 subsidiaries (community (community

colleges) in 15 colleges) in 15 MunicipalitiesMunicipalities

Student Student ResidencesResidences

Culture and ArtsCulture and Arts SportsSports

International International Students FairStudents Fair

The University in The University in the Communitythe Community

Program for Program for non-traditional non-traditional

studentsstudents

THE UH : SCENARY OF IMPORTANT THE UH : SCENARY OF IMPORTANT INTERNATIONAL EVENTSINTERNATIONAL EVENTS

Academic and Scientific Academic and Scientific Networks :43Networks :43

International International Agreements : 434Agreements : 434 The UH PARTICIPATE IN MORE THAN 50 INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONSThe UH PARTICIPATE IN MORE THAN 50 INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

International Cooperation for 2012: 1178

Presentations at National and International Meetings

2320

Monographs 48

Articles 1413

Books 66

Awards from the Cuban Academy of Sciences

23

Scientific Results in the Scientific Results in the UHUHYear 2012Year 2012

A valuable tool for understanding between countries

Fosters and supports educational collaboration between universities

Promotes the cooperation based on the principles of equity and mutual benefits

Contributes to the social and economic progress

Takes advantage of acquired experiences to fulfil the mission of the universities

Academic ExchangeAcademic Exchange

Evolution and ChallengesEvolution and ChallengesIn an increasingly interdependent world academic exchange recognizes:

better understanding between different cultures a vital need to advance the exchange of knowledge

International education at the university level provides a channel for an academic exchange of knowledge and culture

One of our main goals is to promote deeper knowledge about Cuban life and culture through the immersion of participants in the academic environment by the semester–long courses

At UH, the educational model has been developed over many years, and in 2000, the University created the first semester-long program for students from the United States. The latter has served as a mean of educational, scientific, and cultural exchange between the University of Havana and several U.S. universities

Semester Programs gradually increased to 9 from 2000 to 2004

2000 INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR STUDY ABROAD ( IFSA) 2001 SCHOOL FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAINING (SIT) SARAH LAWRENCE COLLEGE CENTER FOR CROSS CULTURAL STUDIES 2002 COUNCIL FOR INT. EDUCATION EXCHANGE (CIEE) LEXIA INTERNATIONAL 2004 UNC- CHAPEL HILL SUNY-OSWEGO

Semester ProgramsSemester Programs

In May 2004 regulations from the US government affected the granting of licenses which limited the academic, cultural and scientific exchanges between both countries. In July 2004, five programs closed permanently.

Statistics indicate that the number of American students has dramatically dropped since 2004. However Semester Programs constitute one of the best ways for academic exchanges between universities of both countries.

From 2005 to 2012 twelve new Semester Programs started:• American University • SUNY Buffalo • Ohio Northern• Harvard University • Burlington College • Presbyterian College• Pittsburgh University• Princeton University• Tulane University • University of Alabama• Arcadia University• Marist College

The US Government regulationsThe US Government regulations

Deevelopment of semester-long programsDeevelopment of semester-long programs

Exceptional success: 10 years of collaboration

Enroll in regular university courses together with Cuban students and earn up to 16 credits

Experience the blend of African, European and American cultures form Cuba. Take classes at the University of Havana and participate in cultural activities and study trips designed to encourage direct interaction with the Cuban people

Opportunities in the classroom and the community for American students to interact with Cuban students and the day-to-day life of the country

Contribute to grow the next generation of leaders who can adapt quickly to changing realities

Semester Programs highlightsSemester Programs highlights

New in 2012 -2013

Besides the Semester Programs, new possibilities for the academic exchange are currently being studied

• Increase the availability of short-term programs and summer courses

• Semester Program to learn Spanish

• Semester Program to study the Caribbean

• Semester Program with emphasis in Natural Sciences

What else we are considering

• Research programs for students who complete a Semester Program at the University of Havana.

• Internships at San Geronimo School

• Triangulated Programs (an American University – University of Havana – and an university from a third country)

• Promote a closer contact with local population. American students should be allowed to rent and live in legally recognized private housing.

New Short Term programs

An introduction to Cuba: the challenges of contemporary Cuban society

Current situation and prospects of the Cuban economy

The reintegration of Cuba into the international economy

Tourism from an ecological perspectives

Biodiversity in Cuba: Flora and Fauna Learning to do business with Cuba

Negotiating with Cuba tourism opportunities

Cuba and the Caribbean

Academic CooperationAcademic Cooperation

Short/long research and academic training Summer Courses Research Projects Joint Master and PhD degree Programs Seminars, conferences and workshops Joint Articles and Books

ConclusionsConclusions

1. These academic exchanges contribute to a better understanding of Cuban reality and hopefully in the future these contacts can be increased

2. Until now Semester Programs at UH, represent one of the most important experiences in international education with many different activities that develop strong relationships between students and staff from the universities involved

1. The experience of semester programs with American students is fundamental for the future of our world because it is an intellectual and cultural exchange that helps to build mutual respect and understanding between people and nations

QUESTION?

How can we work together to restore and enhance the cooperation and collaboration

between Cuba and US academic communities?

Building and developing the academic friendship bridge

THANK YOU VERY MUCH !THANK YOU VERY MUCH !