Time: May 6, 2025, 6:30:00 PM
On Wednesday, May 7, the delegation from the University of Kerala visited the University of Sancti Spíritus "José Martí Pérez" (UNISS), located in Sancti Spíritus, Cuba. Prof. Girish Kumar and Prof. Sabu Joseph were cordially welcomed by the UNISS authorities, and also discussed the possibilities to initiate academic collaboration between UNISS and Universities in renewable energy and sports.
Sancti Spíritus is a province located in central Cuba. It is renowned for its rich colonial history, stunning natural landscapes, and vibrant cultural heritage. The capital city, also named Sancti Spíritus, is one of the oldest European settlements in Cuba, featuring well-preserved colonial architecture and historic landmarks.
The province includes part of the Escambray Mountains and the scenic Valle de los Ingenios, a UNESCO World Heritage Site near the colonial town of Trinidad, which is a major tourist attraction. Sancti Spíritus has a diverse economy based on agriculture (notably sugarcane and tobacco), livestock, and tourism. Its natural beauty, with rivers, mountains, and beaches like those in the Ancon Peninsula, adds to its appeal as a travel destination.
Founded on September 22, 1983, in Sancti Spíritus, Cuba, the University of Sancti Spíritus "José Martí Pérez" (UNISS) is a prominent institution in the central region of the country. It was established as an independent higher education entity, building upon its origins as a branch of the Central University "Marta Abreu" of Las Villas, which began operations in 1976.
UNISS offers a diverse range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across several faculties, including (1) Faculty of Pedagogical Sciences, (2) Faculty of Technical and Economic Sciences, (3) Faculty of Physical Culture, (4) Faculty of Agricultural Sciences (5) Faculty of Humanities. Additionally, the university provides 19 postgraduate programs, including Master's degrees and Doctorates. Notably, the Master's in Pedagogical Sciences and the Doctorate in Educational Sciences have been recognised with the highest accreditation category by the National Accreditation Board of Cuba.
The University of Sancti Spíritus has established a Digital Fabrication Area, commonly known as a Fab Lab, which officially opened in July 2024. This initiative aims to foster innovation and support the development of digital manufacturing technologies within the university and the broader community. Fab Lab at UNISS focuses on several key areas, including (1) Digital Manufacturing: Utilising digital fabrication techniques to create prototypes and models, (2) Internet of Things (IoT): Developing interconnected devices for various applications, (3) Artificial Intelligence (AI): Implementing AI algorithms to process and analyze data, and (4) Agricultural Innovation: Designing solutions to monitor and optimize agricultural practices.
On May 7, Wednesday, in the discussions with the UNISS leadership, the delegates from the University of Kerala agreed to facilitate initiatives for collaboration between the Fab Lab at UNISS, Cuba and the Fab labs in Kerala. UNISS leadership also expressed their readiness for their outreach in Kerala through the distance education sector and MOOC platforms set up by the Universities in Kerala. The Kerala delegation has also expressed willingness to formulate and include a course in Cuban history and polity in the MA Programme in Politics, International Relations syllabus.
[i] Sancti Spíritus Travel Guide - cubaify.com