The President expressed his conviction that, given the commitment existing at this level of education, answers to many of problems will be found, and in the case of the more difficult ones, efforts will not cease, a comment that was met with prolonged applause from the audience .

The meeting had begun two hours before, with a presentation by Dr. José Ramón Saborido, head of the MES, addressing the most important aspects of results, strengths, and weaknesses of the Ministry’s work, as well as goals, especially in the short term. Also participating were Roberto Morales Ojeda, vice president of the Councils of State and Ministers, and Olga Lidia Tapia, member of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Party, among other leaders.

A total of 13 commentaries, most from university rectors, confirmed that apathy and inertia have no place in these institutions, and that government strategies are paving the way to support higher education’s involvement in meeting the demands of the economy, mainly in the export, agricultural, and industrial sectors, with the identification and development of new product lines.

Discussed was the alliance between the Agrarian University of Havana, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Azcuba Enterprise Group, for under-graduate and postgraduate training of professionals in agricultural sciences and Veterinary Medicine,; as well as the University of Pinar del Río’s experience in supporting local development.

There was consensus that work must advance not only in vocational training, but also in advising agencies and entities to identify their needs for specialists; in professional development of cadres; the expansion of inter-institutional relations; and in the teaching and development of English language skills.Walter Baluja, rector of the University of Computer Science, said that the first cohort of students in Network Administration and Computer Security will soon graduate, and are ready to serve those interested in learning about this high-demand topic in short-term courses, adding that distance learning options are also being developed.

The integral training of students was one of the issues addressed by Dr. Alicia Alonso Becerra, rector of the José Antonio Echeverría University of Computer Sciences (Cujae), who emphasized the importance of students’ participation in tasks of social impact, figuratively saying that she prefers them on the playing field, not in the stands.

She described as magnificent the rapid, enthusiastic response of university students, especially those at the center she directs, in efforts to recover from damage caused by the tornado that recently struck several Havana municipalities, which was also emphasized by Díaz-Canel in his closing remarks, highlighting this “intense experience” shared by young people committed to the future.

The Cuban President acknowledged, from the very beginning of his comments, that the issues and methods now being promoted to achieve more efficient public administration, are those he learned as Minister of Higher Education, since they were key to projects underway at that time, mentioning digital television, computerization, R&D, the role of the social sciences, local development, administrative and enterprise management, strategic planning, university-enterprise relations, technology parks, and the teaching of English.

He reflected on the current situation which demands much comprehensive political and ideological training of professors and students, which should be accomplished through debate of all important issues, seeking arguments in history and science, to combat the alienating thought patterns, vulgarity, and banality that neoliberal capitalist platforms attempt to impose.

He stressed that among priorities in the economic battle and in developing ties with higher education, cadre policy is also decisive, since younger faculties are emerging given the natural generational change, although ethical and revolutionary values ​​must be maintained, expressed in consistent efforts to do more in developing a culture of detail.

When referring to the demographic issue, especially the deficit of skilled workers, he called for new ways of thinking about training. In this sense, he stressed that we are not here to limit the training of human resources, or research, or university extension, but to facilitate these and find ways to do better.

Regarding relations between central state administration bodies and higher education, the President referred to another issue discussed, that of short cycle courses to train certified technicians.

“Those who graduate from these courses can do more that a vocational high school technician, emerging with three years of basic university education and a specialty, which offers possibilities for entities which must continue to propose and begin to establish demand over and beyond current capacity. Therefore universities must look to interrelations and strengthen themselves in certain areas.”

He expressed satisfaction with policies focused on the country’s scientific development, which are designed to be implemented by universities, stressing that institutions of higher learning should be proactive.

He likewise emphasized that this is a responsibility, established in approved Policy Guidelines regarding the training of cadres for enterprises and public administration.

Public communication, the computerization of society, and the use of research findings, the President noted, are work tools that must be employed, which originate and are developed in universities. Linked to the second is our participation in social media, on which knowledge and ideology are shared, and the defense of the Revolution takes place. All of our institutions of higher learning are active in this arena, although the University of Guantánamo, those of Computer Sciences, and Havana’s José Antonio Echeverría University stand out.

The President highlighted the role played by higher education in solving national and local problems, saying he was proud to see, on the Council of Ministers’ six trips to provinces, that universities have proposed advanced ideas, showing that their research is valuable, that they can provide solutions in many areas in which local governments are immersed.

CHALLENGES FOR 2019

- Increase university enrollment with emphasis on pedagogical, agricultural, and basic sciences.
- Design and provide short cycle training programs that meet the demands of economic and social development.
- Promote the training of PhDs in all universities, and science, technology and innovation centers.
- Meet the needs of professionals in the non-state sector for postgraduate development.
- Implement policies related to the integration of universities within the Science, Technology and Innovation system, in close connection with the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment.
- Prioritize the application of the research findings in economic and social development, including those that may lead to expanding exports and replacing imports with domestic products.
- Strengthen the role of municipal university branches, taking into consideration the role assigned to them in the new Constitution.
- Increase income from exports of academic and scientific goods and services.

Assuming the challenge with “firmness and intelligence to avoid isolation, without conceding in principle or in position,” was the appeal made by the Cuban leader. What we can do on the diplomatic, economic, and communicational fronts plays a fundamental role, he said.

Díaz-Canel shared reflections on aspects of international policy related to Our America, where the capitalists’ colonial, neoliberal strategy is evident, including the resurgence of the Monroe Doctrine, and the tightening of the blockade, especially in the financial arena.

Within this context, he said, a key role is played by Minrex, the protagonist of important battles in 2018, in which the Cuban people felt themselves well represented. “Every time there is diplomatic victory on the international level, the people feel it, as a victory for the country,” he said.

At the current time, he continued, when a return to a confrontational period is occurring, and new dangers emerge that must be faced, it is imperative that we are increasingly better prepared. In this context, he said this ministry has been able to add to the talent of more experienced functionaries a new generation of young diplomats – with a high level of revolutionary consciousness and commitment.

Amongst us all, we must defend the legacy in foreign relations which the Comandante en Jefe has left us, and what it means, the President emphasized, by implementing an independent, anti-imperialist, counter-hegemonic foreign policy, in which friendship and international solidarity, security and world peace prevail.

The generational change which the country is gradually making, under the leadership of the Communist Party and its First Secretary, Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, should not give anyone illusions that there will be a change in Cuba’s foreign policy, “The foreign policy of the Cuban Revolution continues to be, and will be, the same, the one to which we must all contribute,” he stated.

Illustrious men in the nation’s history have been part of this Ministry, like Alejo Carpentier, Fernando Ortiz, and Raúl Roa. There are many men and much work to honor, he emphasized, and we can best do so precisely by assuming the challenges and overcoming them. This ministry has achieved results and recognized prestige in its 60 years of revolutionary diplomacy.

He highlighted the need to continue working with Cuban émigré communities abroad, not only in the United States. Our island was born of “immigration and

mestizaje, and we cannot ignore that many Cubans living abroad are proud of and miss their homeland.” In this context, he insisted that a migratory policy must be crafted to invite all to contribute to the development and defense of the homeland, to the extent that each individual can. “We do not have to agree on everything, but we can work together.”

The President noted the impact of the consular services Minrex provides, for Cuban residents here and abroad, emphasizing that quality must be continually improved, as well as reception and professionalism.

He insisted that the basic premises guiding government work apply to the Ministry as well, and be apparent in daily efforts.

The discussion, once again, addressed cardinal issues such as the need for more efficient pubic administration; the characteristics that the skilled workforce must develop within the arena in which they operate; the sensibility to eliminate obstacles and bureaucracy, in all entities where appropriate, to reduce paperwork and allow more timely responses to concerns.

Public communication must be one of the main lines of action, he said, citing as another challenge, “Constructing, amongst all, a social communication strategy that is more coherent and active.”

He stressed the importance of working with the press not only on the big issues, and continuing to expand a Minrex presence on social media, in reference to which, it is crucial to “evaluate what we are achieving and what is missing,” to increasingly perfect our messages. This virtual reality has an enormous impact that we cannot ignore,” the President said.

Likewise, he reiterated the importance of computerization in both internal and external processes, including those involving the population, in which national systems must play a leading role.

On another issue, he called for the use of scientific research as a fundamental tool to help facilitate unraveling the complexities of various questions linked to international relations, such as current issues like human rights, migration, labor legislation, and others.

The President emphasized the extensive legislative effort just beginning to adjust laws in accordance with the new Constitution, noting that different bodies will be called on to support the drafting of these new laws in their area of competence.

Recalling the important role of the Foreign Ministry in supporting the country’s priority economic efforts in the international sphere, Díaz-Canel noted areas such as seeking more efficiency in attracting foreign investment; the need to develop productive chains with foreign investment projects, tourism, and the non-state sector; becoming aware of and taking advantage of all opportunities for financing around the world; the defense of national products; and improving quality in the provision of services.

Finally, he described the analysis conducted as crucial, highlighting the concrete proposals made, connected to the reality we are living. We have “a mature, revolutionary diplomacy, heir to the ideas of Martí, Fidel, and Raúl, and have important challenges ahead that we will face from the front line of combat.”

INTERNATIONAL WORK MUST BE INTEGRATED

Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla presented an evaluation of principal aspects of the country’s foreign policy work, focusing on the numerous challenges the Ministry will be facing this year, given the complex international situation.

During the review, also attended by Ricardo Cabrisas Ruiz, a Council of Ministers vice president; Rodrigo Malmierca Díaz, minister of Foreign Trade and Investment; as well as other Party and government leaders, it was noted that, this past year, Cuba has conducted “a foreign policy of peace, cooperation, and solidarity, in defense of international law; balanced, sustainable development; and the promotion of more just economic relations for developing countries.”

Several participants in the discussion noted that bilateral relations with the United States in 2018 were challenging, agreeing that this issue is central to all of the Ministry’s diplomatic work. The historic victory in the United Nations General Assembly was highlighted as key to confronting the economic, commercial, and financial blockade, confirming the international community’s overwhelming support to Cuba’s resolution demanding an end to this hostile policy.

New challenges were noted as well, especially the worsening of the U.S. government’s persecution of Cuba’s financial transactions abroad.

Within the regional context, Cuba’s solidarity with the Bolivarian Revolution was reaffirmed, and the commitment of our foreign policy to the unity of progressive forces and social movements in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Several participants agreed that no foreign policy action can be conceived without a communications plan. The current battle on social media must be waged with greater intensity, as a challenge not present in other eras, they noted.

During the exchange, also discussed was the Ministry’s commitment to training new generations of diplomats at the Raúl Roa García International Relations Higher Education Institute.

The idea that all must contribute to defending Cuba was emphasized in the meeting. Thus the need to carry out increasingly more comprehensive work in all environments in which Cuban foreign policy plays a role, interacting and creating ties with all sectors.