The Tribune

A HIGHER education delegation, representing the College of the Bahamas, has solidified relationships with two universities in Cuba.

While attending the 9th International Congress of Higher Education – Universidad 2014 – College Council Chairman Alfred Sears, Deputy Chairman Dr Earl Cash and Acting College President Dr Earla Carey-Baines, with senior COB administrators and faculty, also met leaders in Cuba’s education system and government.

College officials signed two memoranda of understanding: one with the University of Havana and another with the University of Information Science.

The agreement with the University of Havana establishes a mechanism for the exchange of information and materials as well as staff, faculty and students. It also facilitates research and visiting scholars between the two institutions. Academic areas in which the two institutions are aligned include maritime studies, marine science and small island sustainability.

The link with the University of Information Sciences will build a relationship based on UCI’s expertise in academic programmes for informatics; computer software applications, website development and e-learning platforms. The agreement also supports faculty and student exchange opportunities.

While in Cuba, the delegation also held meetings with representatives of the National Department of Tourism Training, The Commodore Hotel Training Centre, and the Academy of Plastic Arts aimed at forging partnership arrangements and collaborative projects. Additionally, Cuban officials in The Ministry of Culture and The Ministry of Higher Education shared their best practices in cultural promotion and preservation.

The international gathering followed the recent meeting in Havana of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).

Other members of the COB delegation to Cuba included: Council Secretary Mr Michael Stevenson; Union of Tertiary Educators of the Bahamas (UTEB) President Mr Mark Humes; Associate Professor, School of English, Dr Ian Bethel Bennett; Acting Executive Director of CHMI Dr Sophia Rolle and Dean of Liberal and Fine Arts Dr Marjorie Brooks-Jones.