Photo: Estudios Revolución

Havana, January 6 (RHC)-- The fruitful participation of the University of Havana in the entire history of Cuba, its leading role in teaching independence, communist and revolutionary ideas in the best sons and daughters of the Homeland, was highlighted by the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Party, Miguel Díaz-Canel.

Although he had not planned to make a speech, the President of the Republic spoke from emotions at the celebration of the 295th anniversary of the first center of high studies in the country and among the first in Latin America and the Caribbean.

In this university, the educational, cultural, and intellectual vanguard of Cuba has been formed. "History, culture, and science in Cuba cannot be written without taking into account the 295 years of history of the University of Havana," he emphasized.

"Here Fidel became a revolutionary, but he also found references for the solution of the challenges of the nascent Revolution," he recalled after referring that the University of Havana (UH) was the forge of communist ideas, defended above all by the young Julio Antonio Mella, and Alma Mater of Carlos Manuel de Céspedes and dozens and dozens of other Cuban independence fighters.

This university has radiated the contribution of sciences, arts, and culture to the rest of Cuban universities, he added. And "to me, in particular, it contributed during my time as Minister of Higher Education and now in my responsibility as President of the Republic". "Without having studied here, this university contributed a lot to me; here I was able to acquire knowledge through the exchange with professors and students."

Díaz-Canel also stressed the willingness and contribution of the academics and scientists of the center of high studies in shaping public policies and all the urgencies that have arisen in these years.

He made special recognition of the contribution of the UH in the fight against COVID-19, such as the use of mathematical models created by its specialists and the interrelation with Biocubafarma to obtain vaccines against the new coronavirus.

The head of state praised the role of UH students, who helped during the confrontation and control of the pandemic as the rest of the country's universities,  including the work in the red zones.

"We count on you to perfect the Revolution and socialism and achieve the prosperity that our people need and require", the President of the Republic finally pointed out to professors and students of the University of Havana.

The ceremony was also presided over by the Minister of Higher Education, José Ramón Saborido Loidi, and the rector of the center, Doctor of Science Miriam Nicado García, who presented the Head of State with the commemorative plaque for the 295th anniversary of the University of Havana, for his invaluable collaboration and commitment to the house of higher studies, as stated in the award resolution.

Rebel Army Commander José Ramón Machado Ventura, a graduate of this institution, also participated in the ceremony. Held in the Aula Magna, the ceremony was also attended by members of the Political Bureau and the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Party, as well as rectors and other university authorities of the country and the Union of Universities of Latin America and the Caribbean (UDUALC), invited for the occasion.