Celebrating 50 Years of UNAM-Cuba Academic Collaboration

During the First Mexico–Cuba Scientific Conference: Half a Century of Collaboration, researchers from both countries reflected on the past, present, and future academic cooperation between UNAM and Cuba.

The event was organized by UNAM’s Center for Mexican Studies (CEM) and led by José Manuel Saniger Blesa, Secretary for Research and Development at the Coordination of Scientific Research (CIC). Blesa recalled his research and teaching collaboration with scholars from the University of Havana, which began in 2000 in electroceramics. Through that partnership, he hosted two Cuban students who completed their graduate studies at UNAM.

Sandra Lorenzano Schifrin, Director of the UNAM–Cuba Center for Mexican Studies, highlighted that this center, located at the University of Havana, is the realization of a long-held dream. It was officially established in 2023 and is now UNAM’s youngest international representation.

She emphasized that virtually every area of scientific research at UNAM has a connection with Cuba, either through collaborative projects or the involvement of Cuban graduate students, early-career scholars, or experienced researchers in various disciplines.