Higher Education Debated in Cuba

The 10th International Congress of Business Management and Public Administration was opened June 28 by Dr. Rodolfo Alarcón Ortiz, Cuban minister of Higher Education

Lissy Rodríguez Guerrero | [email protected]
June 29, 2016 09:06:51
Photo: Alberto Borrego

Several views of the current situation in Cuban education are being offered at the 10th International Congress of Business Management and Public Administration, underway in Havana's Convention Center, June 28-29.

The event, focused around the watchwords: Public and business administration to promote knowledge and innovation, was opened by Dr. Rodolfo Alarcón Ortiz, Cuban minister of Higher Education, who addressed the 100 delegates from 18 countries in attendance, and discussed the importance to society of expanding knowledge and innovation to achieve sustained economic growth and improve the population's standard of living.

"In a world in which wealth is distributed so unequally, educators in the field of management must understand the effects this can cause, and react academically, training professionals capable of defending their identity and culture," he said.

Underway at the same time, at the Convention Center, is the 7th International Congress on Special Education and Pedagogy, during which educators and researchers are discussing inclusive education, training for professionals, and better school organization to meet all students' needs.

This event's schedule includes presentations on the use of technology in special education, and visits to several Havana schools: the Dora Alonso, Vo Thi Thang, Eterno Baraguá, and Fulgencio Oroz.