Cuba's scientific complexes stem from an organizational concept integrating universities, research institutions and companies or production units, benefiting the development of various scientific branches.

This concept consists of master's programs aimed at increasing the degree of cooperation among entities, in order to establish a scientific and productive process.

These projects may be thematic or territorial in nature. The participating entities can be permanent or temporary, depending on the aim and subject matter.

At the present time Cuba has 15 scientific complexes, 12 of them polythematic and territorial in nature and three that are sectorial: the Western Havana Complex, devoted to the development of biotechnology for uses in health, pharmaceutical and agribusiness in general; the Industrial Complex, focusing on the development of new energy sources; and the Humanities Complex, concentrating on that specialization.

The complexes have an organizational concept that serves as an interface between scientific research and the production or generalization of knowledge. The work of the participating universities, research institutions, companies and factories is integrated and reinforced; interaction among the institutions is facilitated, and interdisciplinary participation is promoted through the creation of cooperative networks, thereby accelerating the introduction of the results of this scientific research.

In all cases they are forums that bring together groups of experts and promote broad debate for the purpose of boosting efforts of vital importance for the country's socioeconomic progress, in search of more efficient approaches in research, production and commercialization.

Scientific complexes work on programs of great national importance, for the achievement of products with high added value, especially in the biotechnological and medical-pharmaceutical fields, based on the use of sustainable methods for the elaboration of foods for human and animal consumption, energy generation and use, the development of specific regions of the country including mountainous areas, and environmental protection.

They also strive for greater efficiency in the sugar industry, tourism development, oil prospecting, the nickel industry and the remaining industrial branches. Studies also extend to the social sciences, prioritizing the studies related to the development of Cuban society in the 21st century, the behavior of its economy in the world context and current international relations.

The centers belonging to the country's scientific complexes boast important scientific achievements, among them the hepatitis B vaccine and clinical testing of products such as therapeutic vaccines against lung cancer and breast cancer, and a monoclonal antibody for the detection of cancers of the head and neck.

(Taken from: Cubasí)