Hanover, December 25 (AP-RHC) -- The U.S. government's recent moves to restore full diplomatic relations with Cuba comes as Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, prepares to launch a program to send students and faculty to Havana for 15 weeks next fall.

Dartmouth is launching an advanced studies exchange with the Casa de las Americas and the University of Havana that will allow Dartmouth students and faculty to spend time in Cuba and may eventually bring Cuban students to Hanover.

Professor Lynn Higgins says the loosening of restrictions on Cuban exchanges will open up scholarly communications and opportunities for both students and faculty.