Cuba ensures broad and equitable access to higher educationaccording to new data collected by the Ibero-American Network of Higher Education Indicators (Índices), coordinated by the Organization of Ibero-American States (OEI).
The country, according to this report reviewed by EFEhas maintained a stable university enrollment, although with “challenges” in student retention and graduation.
Participation in higher education is 24%, although the OEI highlights the need to continue strengthening educational strategies on the island, where education is predominantly public, with 100% of students enrolled in state institutions.
Did you know that higher education enrollment in Latin America has increased by 30% in a decade? In addition, 43% of graduates are from public institutions and the number of female graduates has grown by 38%.
Find out more in the new report from the @ObservatorioCTS of the… pic.twitter.com/md6dSlelQR
— OEI (@EspacioOEI) July 18, 2024
It also faces challenges in the graduation rate, with 48.6 graduates per 10,000 inhabitants in 2021. This indicator highlights the need to improve student retention and support policies.
Investment in higher education in Cuba was 2.17% of GDP in 2020. This high investment underlines the country’s commitment to education and the development of trained human resources, according to the OEI.
Women represent 57% of all students in Cuban higher education. In postgraduate areas, female participation is notable, although in fields such as engineering, gender gaps are still observed.
Distance learning on the island has declined, and in 2021 it represented only 1% of total enrollment. This reflects the need to strengthen technological infrastructure and flexible learning modalities, the Ibero-American organization believes.
On the other hand, Cuba has seen an increase in enrollment in STEM areas (in English, science, technology, engineering and mathematics), especially in natural sciences and mathematics, where female participation has grown significantly.
However, in engineering and technology careers, female representation remains low, the Spanish agency summarises.
EFE / OnCuba
