HAVANA, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- Cuban Ministry of Higher Education (MES) and the University of Harvard signed Saturday a memorandum of understanding to expand their collaboration relations.
The document was inked by MES Vice Minister Aurora Fernandez and Mark C.Elliott, Harvard's vice provost of international affairs.
This agreement aims to promote academic links through the training of graduate students, the development of scientific researches and through joint publications.
Fernandez said the memorandum is the result of months of negotiations.
She said despite the current tense diplomacy between the two countries since U.S. President Donald Trump took office, the agreement will contribute to expanding the academic ties between Harvard and Cuban academic institutions.
Mark C. Elliot said that universities of Cuba, as well as Harvard, pursue high quality standards and the goal of improving society.
"At Harvard we are very proud of the work done in Cuba in terms of academic and research development," he said.
Elliot said that despite the difficult moment for the U.S.-Cuba relations, the collaboration between university institutions must be boosted.
The United States broke off formal relations with Cuba over half a century ago for ideological reasons. Former U.S. President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro resumed the diplomatic ties in 2015.
At present, the bilateral ties are going through rough times since Trump vowed to roll back the deal with the island, and withdrew over half of the staff in the U.S. embassy in Havana as well as reinforcing the economic measures against Cuba.
