The happiest people were the ones who had children better educated, says Cuban ambassador Jose Manuel.
He made the comment during his visit to the University of Fiji Saweni campus on Wednesday last week.
A press statement from the university stated that Mr Montano’s visit to UniFiji was marked with the planting of Cuba’s national tree — the Royal Palm — marking the launch of the university’s Gaia Landscape Project.
Mr Montano said the University of Fiji’s Gaia Landscape Project was an important project in order to protect food security worldwide.
While addressing the university’s Senate and heads of departments at the Saweni campus, Mr Manuel was impressed by the hierarchy of the university with the need for higher education.
“We have now 52 institutions of higher education in Cuba, including one medical university,” he said.
“Today, the main priority for the universities and higher education institutions in Cuba is through effective accompanying of our government and people.
“This needs to be done by integrating all the scientific potential and innovation of the institutions.”
He said his country aimed to become an illiteracy-free nation. “Cuba has been innovating new medicinal research developments against cancer and they have five vaccines against COVID-19.”
The University of Fiji vice-chancellor Professor Shaista Shameem while welcoming the Cuban ambassador said the Gaia Landscape Project was the university’s sustainable garden project, which is part of their community engagement, and environmental and social responsibility.
Professor Shameem said the ambassador’s visit to the university was a “historical occasion” and an opportunity for the university to showcase its campus and facilities to the ambassador and the people of Cuba. “Cuba and Fiji had many similarities, including climate, friendly people and beautiful landscapes,” Prof Shameem said.
