Reflections on a visit to the island February 1st-17th 2022

Cuba: Revolution in ruins or still being built?

At the risk of sounding facetious, if capitalism is renowned for the process of “creative destruction” then in an ironic sense one might have to concede that on the face of it, Cuban socialism is marked by a sense of “entropic decay.” At least that is the initial impression one gets walking through the streets of Vedado, Havana, as I made a point of doing on a recent visit for 17 days in February, seven months after the ‘social explosion’ of 11 July 2021, when people took to the streets in unprecedented scenes of protest. These protests were against the government’s handling of the economy, food scarcity and a perceived lack of Covid response that has produced a general anxiety about the future of this socialist revolution, now in its seventh decade with no utopian end anywhere in sight.

Positive end to Conference stay

IISC Director talks with Cuban Minister of Higher Education

On February 11, the IISC Director, Dr Stephen Wilkinson, had the opportunity to meet and talk with the Cuban Minister of Higher Education, Dr José Ramón Saborido Loidi, and extend good wishes on behalf of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Buckingham, Professor James Tooley.

Meeting with Missile Crisis historians and educational experts

Education, training and history exchanges

On 10 February, IISC director Dr Stephen Wilkinson held talks with the Dr Milda Díaz Masip, the Rectora of Cuba's University of Pedagogic Science Enrique José Varona and agreed to sign a memorandum of agreement to work together for mutual benefit.

Student opportunities

IISC extending links in Cuba

IISC Director Stephen Wilkinson held talks on Wednesday 8 February with the University of Las Villas Marta Abreu to develop ways in which the Institute at the University of Buckingham can work with this highly successful institution situated in the centre of the island near the historic city of Santa Clara.

IISC signs agreement with Havana University

International Institute for the Study of Cuba signs a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Havana to deepen and broaden ties.

IISC researcher Marcel Kunzmann on how Cuba brought Covid under control

Cuba and Covid: an update

Cuba has brought the Corona virus under control, has become one of the most vaccinated countries in the world and has reopened its borders for tourism. Here, IISC researcher, Marcel Kunzmann, explains the situation and how and why Cuba, a country that was labelled as a ‘failed state’ by the US administration, has managed this transformation.