Cuba looks to strengthen research ties with Russia

University rectors from Cuba and Russia have met in Havana to find ways of deepening academic collaboration between the two countries.

Bilateral exchanges between Cuba and the former Soviet Union date back to the 1960s and were formalised in a 1993 intergovernmental agreement, establishing meetings every three years to promote cooperation.

This led to more than 100 scholarships for Cuban students every year, as well as faculty exchanges and ministerial-level meetings facilitating joint research in areas ranging from nanotechnology to the environment. Since 2010, there have also been regular meetings of rectors from the two countries.

The third such meeting, held in Havana at the end of last month, included discussion of scientific publications, joint degree programmes and student exchange, as well as the signature of several new agreements with institutions such as Lomonosov Moscow State University.

It also saw the opening of the Russian language department at the University of Havana’s Pushkin Institute, which should lead to similar programmes in other Cuban provinces.

matthew.reisz@timeshighereducation.com