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