Minister and Delegation at the inauguration ceremony
Minister of Higher Education, S.B. Dissanayake accompanied by Mrs. Tamara Dissanayake and Assistant Secretary/Administration, Mrs. Shanika Weerasuriya, visited Cuba for the 9th International Congress on Higher Education held in Havana from 10th - 14th February 2014, on an invitation extended by the Cuban Minister of Higher Education, Rodolfo Alarcon Ortiz.
Minister Dissanayake with his Cuban counterpart
Following the Inauguration Ceremony on 10th February, Minister Dissanayake conducted bilateral discussions with his Cuban Counterpart, Rodolfo Alarcon Ortiz, on further promoting cooperation and opportunities in the higher education sector and that of higher institutions of learning between the two countries. During discussions both Ministers emphasized their determination to launch joint endeavors in the exchange of students and experts in certain fields of interest for mutual benefit. In particular, they focused on Bio and Nano Technology sectors in which Cuba has made remarkable accomplishments which could be of benefit to Sri Lanka for the advancement of its own science, technology and research capabilities. Minister Dissanayake while appreciating the generous hospitality offered to his delegation thanked the Cuban Minister for the continued assistance and scholarships offered to Sri Lankan students in a range of fields. He also briefed the Cuban Minister on the Presidential Scholarships on offer to Cuban students to follow under graduate and post graduate degrees in Sri Lanka. An invitation extended to the Cuban Minister to visit Sri Lanka was accepted with pleasure.
with Cuban Minister of Science, Technology & Environment
At a meeting with the Minister of Science, Technology & Environment, Elba Rosa Perez Montoya, the two sides discussed, inter alia, opportunities and challenges faced by developing countries in modernizing and up grading their skills, research, scientific and technological knowhow to suit present day needs while preserving the environment, thus ensuring sustainable development. A proposal presented by the Sri Lankan Minister was accepted for further study and possible collaboration in Bio and Nano Technology fields by the Cuban Minister. Minister Dissanayake expressed his gratitude to Minister Montoya for her assurance of support in the relevant fields.
Minister Dissanayake and delegation were hosted to a breakfast meeting on 12th by the Vice Minister of Education, Oberto Santin, during which they discussed the prospects of Cuba sharing its expertise and knowledge with likeminded countries, in sectors including human resource development, IT, research & technology and skills development. They also acknowledged the close cooperation and collaboration enjoyed by the two countries in exchange of youth, students and academia.
At a meeting had with the President of ICAP (Cuban Institute of Friendship with Peoples ) Kenia Serrano Puig, the Minister appreciated the work done by ICAP to promote friendship and understanding among youth around the world through its outreach programmes involving youth brigades. An invitation extended by the Minister to the ICAP President to visit Sri Lanka with a youth delegation for the “World Conference on Youth” to be held in Colombo in May 2014 was accepted. The meeting also covered strengthening linkages between parliamentarians, youth and people between the two countries. The Minister assured Sri Lanka’s support and solidarity to ICAP and its activities to promote peace, harmony and understanding, among world youth.
Meeting with ICAP President
On 12th February, the Minister took time off from his busy schedule to visit Santa Clara Province where he visited Che Guevara Museum and paid tribute to the Che Guevara Monument and spoke of the excellent relations and friendship enjoyed by the two countries since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1959. Furthermore reference was made to the state visit of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to Cuba in June 2012 and the discussions he had with Cuban dignitaries including President Raul Castro paving the way for further consolidation of Sri Lanka – Cuba relations with an emphasis on the 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties being celebrated in 2014 as a historic milestone. In Santa Clara, he met with academic staff of the Santa Clara University and the Sri Lankan students studying in the neighboring provinces and took the opportunity to discuss their interests and issues, while assuring them of due consideration and assistance for their wellbeing and progress. The students appreciated the support and sentiments expressed by the Minister.
Minister Dissanayake also took the opportunity to meet Dr. Rafael González, Rector and staff of the ELAM University in Havana, the leading Cuban university offering medical degrees to foreign students. He met with a group of Sri Lankan students at the university and discussed their day today matters and welfare, while promising to look into their needs. The university staff welcomed the visit by the Minister and briefed him on the university curricula and academic programs with an emphasis on the high academic achievements of the Sri Lankan students.
The Minister met the Sri Lankan Embassy staff and appreciated the excellent arrangements, generous hospitality and support extended to him and delegation. The delegation was accompanied during the visit by Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Cuba, Sarath Dissanayake and Attaché Mr. Anuruddha.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Havana, Cuba
15th February 2014.
