Three decades after its foundation as an independent institution, the University of Las Tunas (ULT in Spanish) proudly celebrates its anniversary. However, the origins of higher education in the territory date back half a century, to the 1970-1971 academic year, with the opening of a preparatory course for technological careers, promoted by Faure Chomón under the guidance of Commander in Chief Fidel Castro.

In 1971, the Bachelor's Degree in Economics was established, managed by the Universidad de Oriente. Then, in 1974, the first person from the Las Tunas teaching unit was created as a branch of the University of Holguin. For years, the Balcón de Oriente relied on other provinces to guarantee higher education: Holguín and Manzanillo (Granma) in the pedagogical area, and Camagüey in the technical area.

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

On May 15, 1995, the Vladimir Ilich Lenin University Center was created, directly attached to the Ministry of Higher Education. For the first time, the territory had its own rector and the power to sign university degrees. This initial leadership was in charge of Doctor of Science José Musa Simón, who led the foundational steps.
The first degrees were in Agricultural Engineering and Accounting & Finance. Physical Culture was also taught, although in direct coordination with Inder, until its later integration into the campus.

After six decades of operation, the institution has graduated 29,125 professionals in 30 careers (eight of which are accredited), four short-cycle programs, 20 active academic programs, and 183 PhDs in Science, which shows its impact on the educational revolution.

Its current 5,310 students, more than 1,200 employees, seven municipal university centers (CUM in Spanish), and 86 ongoing research projects speak of its intention to be a beacon of knowledge and an engine of local development.

These have been endeavors built day by day, imposing themselves on circumstances that are far from ideal; that is why the applause makes perfect sense. “Reaching these 30 years of consolidation of Higher Education in Las Tunas is a reason to rejoice for the university community of the province,” said the rector, Yoenia Virgen Barbán Sarduy, with a luminous look in her eyes.

HAVING ITS VOICE

The University of Las Tunas could move from being an extension of other educational entities to becoming a central actor in the social, scientific, and economic development of the province, building along the way an academic identity of its own.

On this path, one of the most significant milestones occurred in 2019, as Aurora Ramos de las Heras, former ULT rector, recalls. "The most transcendental moment that marked that progress was receiving and approving the institutional evaluation by the National Accreditation Board. The process in which the entire university community and the institutions of the territory linked to the center participated with enthusiasm and commitment.

"There were many challenges that I faced in the almost nine years that I was in charge of this beloved place. One of the most complex was to lead the integration process of Lenin University with Pepito Tey University of Pedagogical Sciences in September 2015, a strategic step for the consolidation of the higher education system in the province.

"It was also particularly challenging the process of  evaluation and accreditation of our careers and programs. Each step required preparation, self-criticism, and a vision for the future.

"And, undoubtedly, one of the hardest and at the same time noblest chapters was the COVID-19 pandemic. ULT became a bastion of support: we set up two field hospitals in our facilities and guaranteed, with university personnel, services in the red zone, laundry, cleaning, and food cooking. It was an experience that showed the human value and social commitment of our campus".

TRAINING, AN INFINITE MANDATE

One of the greatest achievements is the Doctorate in Education Sciences, qualified as a program of excellence, and which has already delivered 183 doctors to the society of Las Tunas, a figure that highlights its research strength.

While other professionals at that level in areas such as Technical Sciences or Economics have graduated from external institutions, this local training represents an invaluable human capital for the land of Vicente García.

Barbán Sarduy appreciates such a valuable professional heritage and other predecessors. “Nourishing ourselves with all that experience and expertise that for years have been accumulated here, in conducting Higher Education, allows the new generations to continue preparing ourselves”.

At the same time, in other parts of the province, this spirit of improvement has been promoted, as the CUM network has been active for more than 20 years. Created in 2002 and consolidated in 2010, these campuses continue to operate, unlike other areas of the country that chose to centralize higher education.

In their work, they have generated notable impacts in the districts, especially in professional and scientific training in situ. An emblematic example is that of “Jesús Menéndez”, considered a national reference for its management of local development projects.

STRATEGIC ALLIANCE FOR PROGRESS

The University of Las Tunas has strengthened its link with the productive, social, and governmental sectors of the territory. Today, there is no provincial institution that does not count on its support to plan, develop, or execute impact initiatives.

This synergy, as the rector points out, has elevated its role as an agent of transformation, thus increasing its relevance and consolidating its reputation as a reference entity.

José Ignacio Reyes González, the doctor in Pedagogical Sciences and president of the ULT's Scientific Degrees Commission, remarks: “In a complex context, the fact that we continue to deploy the training process of professionals for our province generates pride in the faculty and its directors”.

Currently, the institution has 20 active graduate programs: one doctorate, 17 master's degrees, and two specialties. These options allow for the continuous updating of existing talent, responding to the needs of local development.

Also, in its commitment to applied science, the University transformed the former Center for the Study of Technological Processes and Energy Efficiency (Cepro in Spanish) into a Development and Innovation Unit specialized in energy efficiency.

From there, key research is led, some with international funding, which has allowed the acquisition of modern measurement and analysis equipment, which will provide sustainable solutions to the energy problems of the territory.

In this regard, Reyes Gonzalez highlights the strategic role of science on multiple fronts: "All the faculties have research projects that respond to society's problems. Those related to agricultural development, environmental education, health and sexuality, the search for energy alternatives, and accounting and economic studies stand out. And there is already a harvest of scientific results with benefits for Cuba".

MAKING HISTORY AND THE FUTURE

Thirty years after its founding as an independent campus, the University of Las Tunas has not only grown in size, infrastructure, and enrollment. It has grown in vision, institutional maturity, and commitment to its people.

Barbán Sarduy summarizes this journey and the hope for the future: “I am from the ninth generation of rectors who have passed through Higher Education, and these 30 years have also allowed us to honor history and look responsibly to the future”.
At the same time, Ramos de las Heras, who came before, distinguishes a clear goal: “My vision for the future of our center is a more relevant university with a certified status”.

Thus, with roots that go back more than half a century, this house of higher learning is an entity of knowledge that makes history, transforms, accompanies, and leads.