National School of Public Health in Cuba, University of Minnesota strengthen partnership

The National School of Public Health in Cuba and the University of Minnesota signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to strengthen their academic and research partnerships at a virtual ceremony in May.

“It is my honor to represent the University of Minnesota at this historic event,” said Rachel T.A. Croson, University of Minnesota executive vice president and provost. “We are delighted to deepen this relationship with the people of Cuba and the National School of Public Health by signing this memorandum of understanding. We look forward to working collaboratively to discover and disseminate knowledge to benefit the people of Minnesota, Cuba, United States and the world.”

The purpose of the agreement is to establish a collaborative academic relationship between the two institutions to promote joint activities related to disease prevention, health care delivery, training of health professionals, and global and bilateral collaborations in health, epidemiological and medical research. It supports joint conferences, exchange of publications, and bilateral visits by students and faculty.

“The project was conceived several years ago and emerged from numerous and diverse exchanges between professors, researchers and students,” said Pastor Castell-Florit Serrate, director of the National School of Public Health. “The document that we signed today represents another step in the advancement of these exchanges that will facilitate the path for future collaborations and alliances for the benefit of the health of our peoples and the planet.”

The institutions have a long history of collaboration, most recently on a series of COVID webinars with experts from Cuba and the University of Minnesota sharing emerging science and best practices.

The MOU was signed by University of Minnesota representatives Connie White Delaney, dean of the School of Nursing; Meredith McQuaid, associate vice president and dean of International Programs; Jakub Tolar, vice president for Clinical Affairs; and Rachel T.A. Croson, executive vice president and provost. Signing for the National School of Public Health were Xiomara Martin Linares, head of the department of International Relations; Lazaro Diaz Hernandez, academic vice director; and Pastor Castell-Florit Serrate, director of the National School of Public Health.

“With the signing of this document we look forward to further research, collaboration, education and exchanges,” said Teddie Potter, director of Planetary Health for the School of Nursing, adding that University of Minnesota leaders will travel to Havana in September to formally exchange these documents. “Today we are signing this MOU so that everyone in Cuba, Minnesota and the global community may benefit from our partnership.”