Dr. Aurora Fernández, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Higher Education (MES) attended on Thursday the working committees channelled into the formulation of the second phase of the VLIR IUC Oriente Program, scheduled to begin in January 2019.
''This is one of the utmost importance projects of the MES'', Fernandez pointed out, "It is very interesting that all aspects are channelled into problems that meet two conditions. Not only are they problems that require high science and technology to be solved, but they also have great impact on the social and economic development of the country. There are projects oriented to the protection of the environment, the production of medicines derived from natural products, high technology to support health systems in both the province and in the capital of the country as well as the study of Santiago de Cuba heritage and that of the eastern region. They are all very important. "
During her visit, the Deputy Minister had an exchange with several working groups, especially with the academics partaking in the formulation of the guidelines of the Doctoral and Innovation School, a transversal project of the VLIR IUC Oriente Program in its second phase. Dr. Fernández received an update of its objectives, scientific activities, and the importance of learning and using the English language for academic purposes.
Regarding the doctoral training agreed from the first phase of the program, the Deputy Minister remarked that she was satisfied because more than 40 young people are being awarded with their doctorate titles, "which is a net gain for the University. Now these young people are more skilled to continue to research and contribute to Cuban science and the training of others''.
For the first time, Dr. Aurora Fernández visited the National Center for Applied Electromagnetism (CNEA), where she attested the current research results, the projects lined up and the difficulties researchers face in incorporating the results of science into the business sector. "There are barriers to be broken - the Deputy Minister stated - for instance, it is admitted that not all enterprises demand the scientific results obtained. I hope that these difficulties are gradually overcome and that greater support will be given by the University to the socio-economic and cultural development of the province. The country demands of us to find ways for the results of science and technology to turn into applied innovations in the development of the country, and that is what we are working on".
CNEA was founded on January 16th, 1992. It is the only scientific institution affiliated to the MES engaged into the conduct of research, innovation and the development of technologies applying electromagnetism so as to make an impact in the industry, agriculture and the environment.
"I think that the progress of the project is certainly successful, the Universidad de Oriente has devoted
to it the attention it requires," Dr. Aurora Fernández declared at the end of her visit to the areas of
work belonging to the VLIR IUC Oriente Program.Translator: Maité Elisa Palacios Herrera
The Deputy Minister received a comprehensive explanation of the importance of learning and using
English for academic purposes.
During her visit to the UO, Dr. Aurora Fernández visited the CNEA, where she exchanged with the
Board of Directors and several researchers.
Before both Cuban and Belgian academics partaking in this formulation, Dr. Aurora Fernández explained that during the second phase of the VLIR IUC Oriente Program, special emphasis should be placed on the transfer of technology, a crucial aspect for the development of this region of the country. Photos: Rovier Mesa.