A set of measures intended to contribute “to improving the quality, equity and relevance of higher education” were announced on Monday at a press conference by Higher EducationMinister Rodolfo Alarcón Ortiz, some of which will begin to be implemented in the 2016-2017 academic year.
A legal framework to support the current system of continuous training of Cuban professionals is one of the key areas in this sector. According to the minister, this is currently subject to government approval, with the aim of ensuring the workforce is fully prepared and qualified, as well as providing opportunities for personal development.
The creation of a new educational level called “Non-University Higher Education” will also be submitted for approval. The aim is to tackle the phenomenon of the underutilization of the skilled workforce. “The program will last two years, two and a half, or three as appropriate, and will be aimed at preparing people for specific occupations in the labor market.”
The measure would allow those who do not wish to complete university studies or do not pass the higher education entrance exams to enhance their educational level, including providing further opportunities for advancement to those completing high school. Those who complete this level will also be offered the opportunity to continue their studies to obtain a university degree.
Another objective in the next academic year will be the perfecting of undergraduate courses, with a focus on the solution of general and basic problems in the respective professions; complemented by postgraduate studies. “This will allow us to reduce the duration of the degree courses, and we hope that the vast majority can be taught within four years.”
Alarcón Ortiz also noted that the conditions will be created to “gradually incorporate into the curriculum the requirement to independently demonstrate command of the English language before graduating from university.”
“We have to solve the problem that Cuban professionals are not able to express themselves in the universal language of our time. The universities will provide students with courses and access to computer platforms to allow them to learn independently. Some students will prefer to do it on their own, others may take a competence test, but they will have to demonstrate proficiency. This measure will be applied gradually because we will have to create the conditions to apply it,” he elaborated.
Courses for workers and distance learning will also be adapted, with entrance exams, which are currently the same as for normal university degree courses, removed to allow for direct enrolment in these courses, with the areas covered in the entrance exams forming part of the course itself. The hope is to increase enrolment rates and encourage further professional development.
There will also be more flexibility in regards to the timetable of the “Curso por Encuentro” offered to workers. While this course is usually offered on Saturdays, where there exists the possibility, universities can opt to adapt the timetable with evening and weekend sessions, as appropriate.
Distance learning will also benefit from further information technology and modern pedagogy, while the number of courses offered – currently just Law, Accounting and Social & Cultural Studies – will also be expanded.
Changes will also be made to degrees in pedagogy, as part of the need to increase the workforce in this sector. Students completing their high school education will be offered the opportunity to undertake part of all of their pre-university level within the university, with the entrance requirements for undergraduate level incorporated into their final exams. The measures will allow for degree courses to be shortened.
In addition, the current middle level pedagogical training courses of two years will become a Non-University Higher Education course and another program at the same level to train teachers for the technical and professional educational level will be created.
