Bid to boost academic ties and student mobility

The PIE News 09 January 2016

One year on from President Barack Obama’s historic announcement that the United States would begin restoring diplomatic and economic relations between the US and Cuba, NAFSA – the Association of International Educators – has launched an initiative to build academic relationships and student mobility between the two countries, writes Beckie Smith for The PIE News.

President Obama announced the restoration of diplomatic and economic ties with Cuba in a televised speech last year. The NAFSA Cuba Engagement Initiative aims to build on the move to normalise bilateral relations, which was welcomed by international educators last year, by promoting sustainable partnerships between Cuban and US institutions.

“Ultimately, Congress needs to act to lift the remaining travel and trade restrictions if we are to truly utilise education as one of the greatest foreign policy and economic tools at our disposal,” commented Jill Welch, NAFSA deputy executive director for public policy. “By coordinating efforts amongst higher education stakeholders, NAFSA aims to create the tipping point needed to reverse the embargo.”
Full report on The PIE News site

Receive UWN's free weekly e-newsletters

Sponsored Article

Getting to net zero, one community at a time

University of Victoria staff

Accelerating Community Energy Transformation is a University of Victoria-led collaborative initiative that brings together over 40 partners, including Indigenous knowledge keepers and community leaders, to create innovative place-based solutions for energy system transformation.

Promoted by the University of Victoria.

Sponsored Article

Africa pays a premium for global climate change sluggishness

Stellenbosch University staff

Africa needs to stop paying the price for the rest of the world’s recalcitrance to act fast enough in response to the irrefutable conclusions that climate change is real and that the impact of global warming could be devasting, says Professor Guy Midgley, interim director of the School for Climate Studies at Stellenbosch University, South Africa.

Promoted by Stellenbosch University.

Sponsored Article

Innovations to ensure energy savings in a hot, arid climate

UAE University staff

Researchers from the United Arab Emirates University have shown that the potential benefits of building energy savings and a cooler indoor environment, as well as improved cooling effect on air temperature at pedestrian level, strongly indicate that a cool roof with high solar reflectance and albedo is a promising strategy for buildings in regions with hot, arid climates.

Promoted by United Arab Emirates University.

Sponsored Article

A new global university ranking with an ethical mission

Aftab Dean

A new university ranking system aims to serve as a catalyst for positive transformation in higher education, ensuring that universities create an environment grounded in integrity and sustainability that inspires and supports students and staff in the development of novel solutions to global challenges.

Promoted by Globethics.net.

Sponsored Article

SDG progress report launches university into new territory

University of Pretoria staff

In the publication of its first progress report on its contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals, the University of Pretoria is navigating new territory at the same time as it is acknowledging its clear stewardship role in protecting the environment and biodiversity.

Promoted by the University of Pretoria.