Havana, Feb 7, (RHC), – The University of Alabama is trying to expand its ties with Cuba, the Associated Press reports today.

University trustees have approved the establishment of the Center for Cuba Collaboration and Scholarship at the campus in Tuscaloosa.

The center builds on work by the Alabama-Cuba Initiative. That's a program which has established educational ties between the university and Cuba for the last 13 years.

Cuban researchers and artists have visited the university, and Alabama students have been able to study abroad in Cuba since 2009.

The new effort will continue the development of scholarly activities linking the university and Cuba.

Trustee approval of the program follows the Obama administration's move to improve relations with the island 90 miles south of Key West.