The University of Las Tunas (ULT) began the 2025-2026 academic year with an enrollment of over 5,100 students, according to its rector, Yoenia Virgen Barbán Sarduy, in an institutional overview of the academic year's provisions.
Las Tunas, Cuba.- According to the data provided, the regular daytime course has more than 370 new students and 636 continuing students. The face-to-face course modality accommodates 3,993 students, while Distance Education enrolls 28, and the short-term programs, 94.
Regarding the teaching staff, the rector specified that 210 positions remain vacant. However, the faculty managed to organize itself with 322 full-time professors, 399 part-time professors, and the reinstatement of four retired professors and 78 trained faculty members, which will ensure the development of the planned academic activities.
The student residences accommodate 390 students, with adequate conditions, especially in one of the recently fully renovated facilities. Regarding cooking food, to address fuel shortages and the lack of electricity, alternative firewood stoves were built, and the kitchens on the Pepito Tey campus were renovated to improve the working conditions of the staff, as well.
Although electricity allocations do not fully correspond to planned demand, organizational measures are being implemented to support classes and other processes.
Among the academic challenges and those related to science, technology, and innovation, Barbán Sarduy highlighted weaknesses like the low number of indexed scientific publications and national innovation awards, as well as insufficient software registration. However, she announced an encouraging result: the first patent application filed by the University of Las Tunas is currently undergoing official approval, which marks a milestone in the center's research history.
Difficulties were also identified in processes related to internationalization, specifically in the number of projects with terms of reference and the execution of foreign funding. This has repercussions in the reduction in foreign currency income, which is directly related to the country's economic situation.
Despite the challenges, the rector emphasized that the institution remains committed to the quality of professional training, strengthening research, and connecting with local development. She emphasized that the strategies of professors and university administration are geared toward ensuring that young people from Las Tunas receive comprehensive training that meets the nation's current challenges.
Recently, Reynaldo Velázquez Zaldívar, Vice Minister of Higher Education, supervised the organization of the course at the ULT and exchanged with administrators, professors, and students. In his speech, he recalled one of the motivations for this period: the centennial of Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro, which will be commemorated in August 2026. He also emphasized the importance of Higher Education institutions contributing to honoring the legacy of the historic leader through teaching, research, and university outreach.