Cuba and China are exploring collaborative opportunities in education and joint research between the University of Havana (UH) and various higher education institutions in China. In an interview with Prensa Latina, UH Vice Dean of Economics Margarita Caballero noted that this bilateral cooperation was initiated by the visionary efforts of the historical leaders from both nations.
“Sixty years ago, our Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro paid special attention to the first groups of Chinese citizens who came to study the Spanish language in Cuba, and then he resumed this program in 2006”, Caballero explained.
The vice dean mentioned that the University of Havana's Spanish degree program was launched in 2007, while the Confucius Institute, which is marking its 15th anniversary of fostering Chinese language and culture in Cuba, was established in 2009. The University of Havana has signed 67 framework agreements with Chinese universities and is now beginning to explore academic collaboration with Tsinghua University, the top-ranked university in China globally.
“We are collaborating with the Chinese side to create the Havana College, whose file is in the process of approval. It will be a joint center for learning Spanish language with professors from both countries”, she said. The vice dean noted that the University of Havana is involved in several initiatives, including the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Alliance, the World Digital Education Alliance (WDEA), and the China-Latin America Agricultural Education and Research Innovation Alliance (CLAERIA), among others.
She explained that Cuba's involvement in regional academic organizations positions it as a natural bridge between China-Cuba and China-Latin America and the Caribbean. Caballero also mentioned that her visit to China is part of the Global Intelligent Education Forum, which took place from August 18-20.
