HAVANA, Cuba. – The year 2017 was a period of intense work, where some universities were damaged by Irma Hurricane, but the teaching-educational process was not affected, Miguel Diaz-Canel member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of Cuba recognized.

In the closing of the analysis of that stage at the Ministry of Higher Education, the Cuban First Vice-President added that scientific research and innovation should be put more in the service of the country’s development.

Diaz-Canel pointed out there has been a major subversive activity aimed primarily at young people during the last stage, which explains how timely the creation of the University Social Observatory was, recognized for its innovative and novel character.

He said that in higher education “we must solve problems in the work practice, the tasks of social impact and be more serious in professional evaluations and the research for development.”

Commitments and Dedication

Last year was a stage of commitment and efforts to respond to the missions entrusted to higher education by the country, Jose Ramon Saborido Loidi said.

The Minister of Higher Education added that they worked on continuing to increase the political and ideological training of students, and to proceed improving the system of continuous development of professionals.

Saborido said that it is necessary to insist on the educational role of classes, its methodological assurance, and the professor´s exemplary and to improve the orientation of the personalized educational work, which favors a more holistic approach.

In the analysis of higher education, the Minister of Education, Ena Elsa Velazquez Cobiella, noted the importance of achieving the commitment of graduates of pedagogy and sports to fulfill their social service and continue in the classroom.