Community-Based University Instruction Expanding in Cuba

Havana, September 3 (AIN) The expansion of Cuban higher education at the community level will be strengthened this upcoming school year as the island-nation witnesses its largest university enrollment in history.

Some 350,000 youths will be attending the university thanks to the expansion of community-based university instruction across the country. This large enrollment constitutes both the greatest achievement and challenge undertaken by Cuba in its

more than 40-year history of transformations in traditional teaching approaches.

The increase by more than 40,000 students above the previous enrollment highpoint (in the 1986-87 school year) will not affect instructors' performance in any of the 93 degree courses offered.

University instruction will expand this coming school year as several dozen facilities are set up in various communities on the island.

This will result in a total of 800 higher educational centers located in all 169 Cuban municipalities.

In a recent press conference, higher education minister Fernando Vecino Alegret spoke of improvements in higher education accomplished thanks to the support provided by Cuba's political party and local governments, among other community institutions.

Human and material resources have been guaranteed for the coming school year. More than 45,000 university professors including adjunct professors are available to teach in the community-university venues.

In addition, efforts will be made to strengthen the role of tutors in the professional development of students.

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Copyright © Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Cuba, 2003