The Cuban Ambassador, Dr Francisco Fernández, payed a courtesy call to Professor V Eudine Barriteau, Vice Chancellor and Principal of UWI Cave Hill Campus to discuss several relevant topics related to the cooperation framework between this Campus and the University of Havana, like the outcomes of the Working Group recently created together to deal with cooperation matters; the possibility of signing a MOU with the University of Havana; the proposal for the creation of a Honorific Chair of Studies on José Martí – Fidel Castro; and the invitation to attend the International Congress University-2018, which will be held in Havana in February next year. During the meeting it was reminded that on September 2015 both parties agreed on developing some initiatives to improve bilateral cooperation between the two universities. As a result of that commitment, in February 2016, Dr. Justin Robinson, Dean of Social Sciences Faculty, visited Cuba representing the Principal to attend the University-2016 International Congress, participating in several interviews with the Cuban Ministers of Education and Higher Education, the Principals of the University of Havana and of the Latin American – Caribbean School of Medicine.
Following up that link, in January 2017 a delegation presided over by the Head of Public Health Group, Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Maddy Murphy, did another productive visit to Cuba with several encouraging results like presenting a MOU to be signed with the Cuban Ministry of Health, under evaluation at this very moment.
In February 2017, two Cuban scholars visited Barbados to participate in the first International Colloquium on the Legacy of Fidel Castro –successfully cosponsored by the Department of Government, Sociology and Social Work- and there were fruitful meetings with the board of UWI Social Sciences and Humanity Faculties.
Among other recent results, a Working Group was created together with our Embassy to deal with several matters of cooperation, including the possibility of opening a Honorific Chair of Studies on the thought of José Martí and Fidel Castro. To this purpose, the Ambassador submitted a referential document about the creation of a similar chair at the University of Havana. Both parties agreed on giving an appropriate evaluation to make progress in this matter.
Finally, the Ambassador kindly delivered the letter of invitation for the principal to attend the International Congress on Higher Education “University 2018” which will be taking place in Havana, Cuba, from February 12 to 16, 2018. It was a especial occasion for sharing the fact that Dr. Gustavo Cobreiro, Principal of The University of Havana, has ratified his interest in meeting her there in Cuba, since there are relevant topics to deal with, in particular the MOU signing off ceremony to enhance cooperation in diverse areas.