Havana, March 18 (RHC)-- Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, acknowledged on Tuesday the contribution of the island's universities to the economic and social development of the country.

Speaking at the annual review of the Ministry of Higher Education, Diaz-Canel thanked the faculty and students,  their presence in social media, the progress in the accreditation processes, and the new modalities of short cycle careers.

The event took a look at the link between universities and businesses,  the use of ICTs, the dissatisfaction of demands for careers, the doctoral programs, accreditation processes, and the new modalities of short cycle careers.

The president  also insisted on the export of services, "products and technologies that are on a minimal scale, and we are going to promote them."

The president referred to the proposal made by the rector of the University of Computer Science (UCI), Walter Baluja Garcia, to offer distance learning courses worldwide, something they are expecting to put into practice in 2020.

Among the priorities or the Ministry of Higher Education for 2020 were mentioned to boost further the creation of science and technology parks and the links between universities and companies, to achieve the preparation and completion of the teaching staff, and above all,
to ensure the quality of Cuban higher education.