A total of 985 young people complete their university studies in this province in the current school year.

Las Tunas, Cuba.- Exceptionally and for the only time, the Ministry of Higher Education (MES) of Cuba gave the prerogative to the university boards of directors, to modify the completion of studies, taking into account the interruption suffered by the school period.

Aurora Ramos de las Heras, rector of the University of Las Tunas, reported at a work meeting that in accordance with the provisions of Resolution 49 of 2020, more than 200 students who opt for the Degree of Gold and the Scientific Merit Award will be exempted from the completion of studies, in recognition of their outstanding educational record.

The students, whose average is in the range of four to 4.74 points, will deliver their report in digital format, which will be evaluated by a panel of professors, and exonerated from the act of defense. "If any of them is not satisfied with the qualification and wants to appear at the discussion, because they consider that they can upload their note, they can request it," explained the rector.

Students with an index lower than four points who obtain a five-point qualification in the reports will not have to discuss their work either; the rest will have to defend them. The diploma works will be closed with the theoretical foundation and the proposal, without the validation of the results, and the state exams are replaced by professional exercises according to the characteristics of the careers. The latter will be scheduled for a presentation date.

Ramos de las Heras said that once the activities are resumed, young people of terminal years have a maximum of 60 calendar days to complete their studies. She said that if conditions allow it and the Provincial Defense Council approves it, the House of High Studies will begin this important process in July.

The intention is to advance as much as possible so that in September employers organizations can count on graduates. However, the rector emphasized that students who have not managed to advance as expected in their projects and are not in a position to present them at that time, should not worry because they will receive differentiated attention.

The modifications planned by the center were reviewed and endorsed by the Ministry. As for the graduations, dates and procedures are not yet determined, because their realization will depend on the advance of the epidemiological situation.