Biotechnology topic opens International Science Workshop in Cuba

October 27, 2019

The keynote lecture 'The Functions of Science in the Cuban Economic and Social Model: Insights from Biotechnology' constituted the opening of the XI Workshop on Science, Technology and Innovation (CITAtenas-2019).

Agustín Lage, a distinguished figure in Cuban research and education, delivered the lecture before approximately 160 delegates to the event from Mexico, Argentina, Costa Rica, Chile, Colombia, the United States and Cuba, with the majority of attendees.

The researcher and full professor highlighted, among other aspects, the role of the biotechnology field and the university in local development, as a connection device between scientific centers, and the generalizations of the experiences from his studies.

He noted that Cuba's strategy has always conceived a prominent place for science and technology, and the union of both elements with the community, as part of the vision of the historical leader, Fidel Castro, that the country's future belonged to men of science.

The opening of the Workshop in this western city included presentations of the Matanzas Technological Scientific Park Project and those of the Innovative Entity Architecture and Engineering Projects Company, and a tour of the Historic Center.

Also the presentation of the book The Odyssey of Science, by Lage, advisor to the president of BioCubafarma, a company that produces medicines, equipment and high-technology services to improve the health of the Cuban people, and generates exportable goods and services.

CITAtenas-2019, conceived for the exchange of those topics and social, interactive and systemic processes, is the responsibility of the delegation of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (Citma) in the western province of Matanzas.

The event also held panels from the Academy of Sciences of Cuba: Advances in Contemporary Science and Innovation; Quality Management and Innovation in Education; and the International: ICTs as a Tool for Studying and Disseminating Sciences.

CITAtenas serves as a framework for the IV Meeting of Managers of Local Innovation Systems: it developed the roundtable The Role of Innovation to Perfect the Socialist State Enterprise, and showcases investment opportunities and exportable funds in Matanzas.

The themes centered the debates on: Social and inclusive innovation in municipal development; Management of productive organizations with a technological base; and Services in health and pedagogical processes.

The topics are completed by: Technologies for sustainable food production; Technologies in advanced and sustainable manufacturing; and Technologies for adaptation to climate change, in accordance with the call.

'Knowledge and innovation must contribute to creating capacities and sustainable development, which is why we aim to bring together scientists, technologists, producers and innovators from the country and other regions of the world, to achieve exchanges of experiences', stated Citma.