Cuba and the Historically Black Colleges and Universities of the United States. A historic relationship

Abstract

The topic of this article is part of a more extensive doctoral research that the Author develops at the University of Pedagogic Sciences “Enrique José Varona”, on the relationship between the African diasporas of the United States and Cuba and its presence in the curriculum of Cuban universities, with the aim of providing a more comprehensive education to students, based on different social values, among which antiracism is encompassed. Within that framemark educational exchanges between Cuban higher education institutions and the historically black colleges and universities gain significance. The article will first analyse the importance of educational exchanges; the process of internalization of the higher education in the world, in Cuba and in the United States; as well as the history, challenges and effectiveness of the academic links between both countries, emphasizing in those developed with historically black colleges and universities. The deficit of researches and scientific works in Cuba about the topic is acknowledged, despite the priority of the bilateral relations with the United States in Cuba foreign policy, which reveals its pertinence and novelty. The results show the confluence, on one hand, of diverse risks that must be faced together, acting firmly and intelligently, and also the existing opportunities, for mutual benefit of both academic communities and peoples.