Northern Michigan University Links to University of Matanzas

Cuban and U.S. Universities to Increase Exchanges

By Redaction AHORA / redaccion@ahora.cu / Monday, 11 July 2011 09:28        

The Camilo Cienfuegos University of Matanzas (UMCC), located 100 kilometers east of Havana, concluded the first academic exchanges with the U.S. Northern Michigan University.

The initiative, carried out by way of an agreement signed between the two educational centers, allowed students Natasha Gallagher and Michael Wiese-Gomez to carry out history and socio-political theory studies in Cuba and to improve their Spanish.

Jorge Alpizar, director for International Relations of the UMCC, described the initial stage of the programs as successful, and highlighted the achievement of the teaching objectives planned and the intention of Cuba to maintain and expand educational exchanges.

“Matanzas University has plans to publish scientific materials prepared by specialists of the two academies, and to create a joint bibliography to enrich the teaching-learning process”, explained Miguel Sarraf, rector of the university in Matanzas.

Alpizar told the press that the Northern Michigan University is among the first authorized by the U.S. government to have bilateral relations, amid a hostile policy promoted by Washington, which thwarts reciprocity of scientific knowledge.

“It’s necessary that U.S. students know the truth about Cuba first hand, by way of open debates with youngsters, beyond the stereotypes spread by the mainstream media to distort the image of the island’s reality,” said Michael Wiese-Gomez.

The strategy of cooperation initiated between the universities of Matanzas and Northern Michigan will make it possible for U.S. students to receive in Cuba lessons of social sciences,

agriculture, chemistry, economics and Spanish language, according to the student’s choice.

The Web site of the Northern Michigan University offers its students the chance of complementing studies on the Caribbean island, by way of optional curriculum. / RHC

http://www.ahora.cu/english/sections/national/4603-cuban-and-us-universities-to-increase-exchanges.html