VCU news

Gov. Terry McAuliffe announced that Virginia Commonwealth University has signed a memorandum of understanding with the University of Havana that will allow the institutions to develop cooperative programs in a variety of academic disciplines. While on a marketing and collaboration mission to Cuba, McAuliffe witnessed the signing during a meeting with Gustavo Cobreiro, Ph.D., rector of the University of Havana, and Gail Hackett, Ph.D., provost and vice president for academic affairs at VCU.

The University of Havana and VCU both have rich histories and bright futures. 

“World-class higher education institutions like Virginia Commonwealth University play a vital role in our work to build a new Virginia economy, and they serve as key ambassadors to nations across the globe,” McAuliffe said. “The University of Havana and VCU both have rich histories and bright futures. This MOU will ensure that the future includes significant engagement and collaboration between these great academic and research institutions, as well as between the commonwealth of Virginia and the nation of Cuba.”

The agreement took effect immediately upon signing and will last for three years. It can be renewed by both parties. The specifics of the collaboration remain undetermined, but student exchanges are possible and several programs within VCU have interest in pursuing partnerships. VCU already has more than 50 similar partnerships with international institutions—a list that is rapidly growing. International collaborations like the one with the University of Havana allow VCU to host international scholars, provide students and faculty with international experiences, and support collaborative research projects.

“Today’s agreement is a firm acknowledgement that our societies and our institutions must work together and openly engage with one another in order to improve higher education in both Cuba and the commonwealth of Virginia,” said Secretary of Education Anne Holton. “I am pleased that VCU and the University of Havana have established collaborative relations to promote friendship and to cooperate in a mutually beneficial manner.”

Strengthening academic and research collaboration is a significant step in building stronger economic and cultural ties between Virginia and Cuba, and this agreement will allow both partners to benefit from their unique assets.

“We are eager to continue the meaningful partnership begun today and to deepen it in the years to come,” Hackett said. “To be engaged with such a distinguished institution as the University of Havana is a great honor shared by me, President Rao and the entire VCU community.”

The announcement was the first from McAuliffe’s marketing and collaboration mission to Cuba. 

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