Rector of the University of Cienfuegos Delivers Keynote Address at Unisa Conference
The TEIR Conference was attended by academics and researchers from Cuba, the United States of America, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Eswatini.
In her keynote address, Dr Orquidea Urquiola Sánchez, the Rector of the University of Cienfuegos (UCF) in Cuba, dealt with how higher education institutions can contribute to accomplishing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, and brought forward many thought-provoking points. Top of the list were the promotion of networking and alliance building, the promotion of international collaboration to create opportunities for access to high-quality training programmes, and the internationalisation of research and knowledge production.
She highlighted the United Nations, Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization’s stance on the evaluation of higher education, saying that “the pertinence of higher education should be evaluated in terms of the adequacy between what society expects from institutions and what they do”. Sánchez further pointed out that this must be based on their ability to adapt to reality and respond timeously to the demands of society.
She was accompanied by Ioani García Fernandez, an academic specialist from the UCF International Relations Office.
MoU between the University of Cienfuegos and Unisa
At the conference, a collaboration memorandum was signed between the two universities, which will increase academic exchange between Cuba and South Africa. Included in the agreement are bilateral and multilateral scientific research projects, and the exchange of specialists and students to develop programmes and conferences.
Visit to the University of Eswatini
The Cuban delegates, together with Prof Moeketsi Letseka, Prof Mpho-Entle Modise, Dr Akintolu and Prof Karen Ferreira-Meyer, also met with the Director of the Institute of Distance Education, Prof Cosmos Maphosa, and the director of the Uneswa Foundation, Vuli Simelane. The team deliberated on possible collaboration and partnerships among the three universities. Nokuthula Vilakati, coordinator of Instructional Design and Development at the University of Eswatini, was also part of the discussions.
Visit to Unisa headquarters in Pretoria
Back in South Africa, the Cuban delegates and the Diplomatic Attaché for Press and Cultural Affairs of the Cuban Embassy in South Africa, Lauren Luis, visited the Unisa main campus in Pretoria, where they met with Unisa’s Director of Institutional Advancement, Dr Nolwazi Mwabi, and the Deputy Director of Strategic Partnerships, Siza Magubane, and her team.
The distinguished guests from the UCF also visited the Unisa Library and the Thabo Mbeki Presidential Library. Sánchez and Fernández were truly impressed by the rich cultural significance embedded within the Thabo Mbeki Presidential Library and its profound connection to the African heritage. Fernández said, “It was a nice experience to be in this space surrounded by the history and enduring legacy of President Thabo Mbeki and the African continent as a whole.”
Fernández further explained that they knew about Thabo Mbeki’s speech “I am an African”, which is a powerful declaration of identity and pride. “This iconic speech encapsulates a deep sense of connection to Africa and its diverse cultures,” she said. “The speech emphasises unity, resilience and the shared history of the African people, highlighting the richness and complexity of the continent’s identity.”
They were both pleasantly surprised to find a picture of their historical leader, Fidel Castro, among pictures representing the different important moments of Thabo Mbeki’s life. They said it made them feel proud and deeply linked to the South African history.