Time: May 1, 2025, 6:30:00 PM
On May 2, Friday, the University of Kerala delegation visited the University of Matanzas "Camilo Cienfuegos" (UM) at Matanzas province in Cuba. Rector of the UM, Leyda Finale Cruz, has welcomed Prof. Girish Kumar and Prof. Sabu Joseph and a formal interaction between the faculties of the university was also held. In the meeting, the officials of the University of Matanzas, led by the Rector, had formally agreed to initiate proceedings towards signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Kerala for academic collaboration, especially in the fields of Spanish language, renewable energy, sports, social science, bioscience, Agri science, nano particles, and also to facilitate cultural exchange including Cuban dance forms.
Matanzas Province is located on the northern coast of Cuba and plays a crucial role in Cuba's economy. It is one of the country's most industrialised regions, with a focus on petroleum extraction, chemical production, and sugar processing. The capital city, also named Matanzas, is renowned for its rich cultural heritage with a vibrant arts scene, historic architecture, and Afro-Cuban traditions. Matanzas Province exhibits strong socio-economic indicators, with high human development, education levels, and industrial activity. Matanzas was home to a vibrant sugar industry since the colonial period. After the 1959 Cuban Revolution, Matanzas underwent agrarian reforms, with large sugar estates and mills nationalized. The province became more industrialized, hosting the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant and oil refineries.
Currently, Tourism is the province’s largest source of foreign revenue and continues to be a hub for tourism with the development of Varadero, one of Cuba’s premier beach resorts. The province used to be a center of Afro-Cuban culture, which richly contributed to Cuban poetry, music, and theatre. Notable writers and intellectuals emerged from the province, and Afro-Cuban folklore and traditions found expression in Matanzas through music and dance, including the rumba.
Matanzas Province demonstrates a strong commitment to healthcare and education, with ongoing initiatives to enhance services and infrastructure. Matanzas is home to several key medical facilities, including (a) José Ramón López Tabranes Provincial Maternity Hospital. Noted for its high-quality care, the hospital has achieved a maternal mortality rate of zero after over 3,500 births and an infant mortality rate of 1.7 per 1,000 live births. (b) Comandante Faustino Pérez and Eliseo Noel Caamaño Paediatric Hospitals, which are central to pediatric care in the region.
The major universities in Matanzas include (a) University of Matanzas "Camilo Cienfuegos": Established in 1972, it offers programs in agriculture, social sciences, physical education, business studies, modern languages, technical sciences, and education.
(b) University of Medical Sciences of Matanzas: Founded in the 1970s, it comprises faculties in medicine, dentistry, nursing, and health technologies, training healthcare professionals for the region.
The region hosts numerous institutions at the secondary and pre-university levels, including Basic Secondary Schools in the Field (ESBEC), Pre-university Institutes in the Field (IPUEC), and Polytechnic Institutes.
The University of Matanzas "Camilo Cienfuegos" (UM) is a prominent public institution of higher education located in Matanzas, Cuba. Established on May 9, 1972, it has evolved into one of Cuba’s leading universities, recognised for its academic excellence and significant contributions to education, science, and technology. The university comprises seven faculties: (1) Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, (2) Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, (3) Faculty of Physical Education, (4) Faculty of Business Studies, (5) Faculty of Modern Languages, (6) Faculty of Technical Sciences and (7) Faculty of Education, which offers 16 master's degrees, 4 specialties, and 6 doctoral programs across various disciplines.
The university operates five specialized research centres including (1) Centre for Educational Studies (CEDED), (2) Centre for the Study of Anticorrosive and Surfactants (CEAT), (3) Centre for Environmental Studies of Matanzas (CEMAM), (4) Centre for Tourism Studies (CETUM) and (5) Experimental Station of Pastures and Forages “Indio Hatuey” (EEPFIH).
The University has already established partnerships with various international institutions, enhancing its global presence and fostering academic exchange.
[i] Matanzas Cuba, @ D-CUBA.COM