In tribute to Fidel Castro Ruz on his 96th birthday on August 13th, the University of Medical Sciences of Santiago de Cuba yesterday graduated 195 medical professionals from different countries of the world.
These humanistic health professionals, trained and endorsed by Fidel, hail from Haiti, Grenada, Angola, Congo, Antigua and Barbuda, Jamaica, Barbados, Guyana, Dominica, St. Kitts and Nevis, Belize, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and this province, and they leave the classrooms with their Doctor of Medicine, Bachelor of Nursing and Health Technology degrees corresponding to the 2021-2022 academic year.
In honor of Fidel’s vision of a school that brings humanistic and caring professionals to the world, the University of Medical Sciences (UCM) of Santiago celebrated its 39th graduation on its 60th anniversary in the presence of members of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC), José Ramón Monteagudo Ruiz and Beatriz Johnson Urrutia, First Secretary of the PCC in the province and Governor.
Also present were María Eugenia Céspedes, Provincial Health Director; Migdalia Fernández Villalón, Rector of the UCM, and other directors of the center.
The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Angola in Cuba, Mrs. María Cándida Pereira Teixeira, also took part in a special way; His Excellency Ambassador to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, Dr. Elliston Rahming; Her Excellency Ambassador of the Republic of Haiti, Ms. Régine Lamur; the Dr.C. Juan Carlos Vaillant Despaigne, Delegate of the Institute’s branch here
Cubans of Friendship with the Peoples (Icap) and Dr.C. Fidel Antonio Castro Smirnov, grandson of the historical leader of the revolution and guest of honor at the event.
The jubilation gripped the theater when twenty of the most dedicated students were awarded for their work during their studies, who received the gold title, and among them the most comprehensive and avant-garde in sports, culture, teaching and research and other fields.
Likewise, 15 doctors of medicine earned the condition “For a sincere friend” during these years for their close relationship with the people of Cuba and Santiago.
Angolan Joevete Avelino Chimuco Chipandeca, outstanding in culture and sports, avant-garde in social impact, was the outstanding graduate of Faculty No. 1 and the University’s comprehensive vanguard.
Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Chimuco Chipandeca said, “I raise my voice to thank the founding of the Latin American School of Medicine, which has educated students from more than 122 countries around the world for 23 years.
“We salute Cuba and its people for so much devotion and love of internationalism, solidarity and friendship with peoples.
“When we receive this award, we know that it comes from all over Cuba. They taught us that, as the apostle said, home is humanity. Our gratitude to UCM for guiding us in a career that ends our college years today, alongside the challenge of language, culture, climate and other obstacles that have helped us make many sacrifices,” he said.
Haiti’s Ambassador to Cuba, Régine Lamur, is proud to reunite at a graduation ceremony that will this time bring 11 health professionals to the sister country.
“What Santiago de Cuba means to our people and our government cannot be quantified because most medical professionals study and come here.
“I always find stories of the camaraderie and support they give them, and when I talk to alumni, they sense that longing.
“Thank you is a very small word, we work together not only in this area, but also in education, agriculture, culture … there are several ties that unite our countries,” he concluded.