Cuban universities are set to resume their academic activities on Monday, November 11, after Hurricane Rafael swept through the country, according to an official announcement from the Ministry of Higher Education (MES). The statement, relayed by the state-run Prensa Latina, indicates that while most higher education institutions are prepared to reopen, some that were heavily impacted by the storm will remain closed.
The notification emphasizes that universities and institutes unable to restore their facilities will not reopen. "MES officials are in constant communication with affected centers, conducting site visits to assess and assist in recovery efforts," the statement added.
The Ministry commended the solidarity and commitment of the university community, highlighting their active involvement in restoration efforts both on campuses and in surrounding communities. Special thanks were extended to educational institutions that served as evacuation centers during the storm.
Impact and Aftermath
Preliminary assessments suggest that educational centers in western Cuba escaped significant damage. Hurricane Rafael made landfall on Wednesday, November 6, in Artemisa province as a Category 3 storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale, but its passage was relatively swift, lasting just over two hours.
Precautionary Measures Taken
The return to classes follows the decision by several universities in central Cuba to suspend teaching activities from Sunday, November 3, due to the hurricane's approach. Institutions such as the Medical University of Villa Clara, Central University "Marta Abreu" of Las Villas, and University of Sancti Spíritus "José Martí" halted their academic operations as a precautionary measure.
These suspensions were based on meteorological forecasts predicting that Hurricane Rafael could pose a threat to the region in early November. The hurricane's impact on western Cuba, particularly in Artemisa province, resulted in severe disruptions to telecommunications, electricity, and other essential services.