London, 26 April- The launch of the Cuba-UK Energy Network (CuBENet) was held today here in the premises of the University College of London (UCL).
British academic Emily Morris, director of the Caribbean Research and Innovation Collaboration for Knowledge Exchange and Transfer (CRICKET) and development economist at UCL, gave a conference on Cuba's energy transition, its imperatives, the progress achieved thus far and the potential it has. Furthermore, she highlighted the innovative approach of the Island and the importance of having the support of international collaboration.
Cuba’s Reinier Arabolla, researcher at the Institute of Materials Science and Technology of the University of Havana, research fellow at the UCL Electromechanical Innovation Laboratory, highlighted the crucial role and opportunities that the collaboration between Cuba and the United Kingdom may provide for the development of energy systems and the study of materials of commercial batteries, as well as alternative materials to improve the fast-charge process of lithium-ion batteries.
The First Secretary Michel Rodríguez attended the event on behalf of the Embassy of Cuba in the United Kingdom. The diplomat ratified the capacity and willingness of his country to establish and promote academic links with British institutions.
Also in attendance were professors, academics and students from the British institution of higher learning and a representation of Chevening scholars from Cuba who are pursuing master's degrees in the United Kingdom.