Fidel Castro: A society not trained in computers is doomed
HAVANA
"Today, March 7, for all the reasons in the world, I’m the happiest revolutionary," wrote President Fidel Castro in the guest book during the ceremony marking the 15th anniversary of the Palacio Central de Computacion, the youth-run, department store turned computer training facility in Havana.
When the academic year comes to an end in June for the network of Youth Computer and Electronics Clubs, the number of graduates from these community-based computer training facilities will have reached the one million.
Computer sciences are to become a powerful scientific, economic and political force for Cuba, said President Fidel Castro during the celebration of the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the networks’ central hub at Palacio Central de Computacion, a large computer training facility that for years was a well-known department store in town. The event also celebrated the establishment of 300 new Youth Computer Clubs throughout the nation.
Fidel highlighted the advances achieved in the program since its inception, with the introduction of modern equipment and the opening of 600 Youth Clubs. He noted that the program makes it possible for some 200,000 young persons to train in computers and communications by means of 50 different courses being taught, including several for senior citizens and people with disabilities.
Fidel handed signed diplomas to the provincial directors of the Youth Computer and Electronics Clubs recognizing their achievements.
Ariel Rodriguez Linares is a good example of the opportunities opened up by the Youth Computer and Electronic Clubs. Ariel is a blind student, who graduated from the classrooms of the Palacio facility and is now one of the instructors there. He teaches blind people and people with various visual impediments from the ages of 15 to 60, opening up for them access to the world of computers. There are even those who are now composing digital music.
Fidel Castro reminded the audience how the program began, and recalled that the first contacts with computers took place at the university, when ideas to introduce this technology in that educational institution began to be considered. "At that time resources were very scarce, and all we had was good will," Fidel affirmed.
All along these years other specialized institutions designed to teach computer sciences have also been created, like the University of Computer Sciences (Universidad de Ciencias Informaticas, UCI), which produces educational software, and the polytechnic institutes of computer sciences, with an enrollment of more than 40,000 students.
Our greatest advances will hinge around Medicine and Computer Sciences, said the leader of the Cuban Revolution. "We will see what happens when all this talent is put to work and engages in creation. We must acquaint ourselves with the new changing world around us."
MEDICINE AND COMPUTER SCIENCES
During the celebration, Fidel informed that by the end of this year around 30,000 young people from Latin American and other nations will be studying Medicine and other careers in Cuba, in an effort to save the lives of millions around the world, reduce infant mortality rates, and increase life expectancy.
Fidel said that Cuba is the world’s leader in matters related to the prevention and treatment of eye diseases. He also noted that more than 20,000 Cuban doctors and health care technicians are providing their services in Venezuela and are using computers to study languages and proceed to upgrade their knowledge by means of Masters and Ph.D programs in the Medical Sciences.
Regarding the further development of health care services and the use of new technologies to detect and combat diseases, Fidel underscored the upgrading of the polyclinics, which will be able to assume tasks previously done only at hospitals. Presently, ultrasound and intensive care equipment are being installed, something requiring a widespread knowledge of computer sciences and informatics.
Speaking about the development of computer sciences in Cuba, Fidel emphasized that what is happening in the ongoing energy revolution, has surpassed all expectations in the saving of energy.
"The economy is moving ahead, it is advancing solidly in key areas like transportation and electricity generation, which is increasing by 80,000 kW per week. During the year 2005, the Cuban economy grew by more than 10 percent, and this year it’s going to be growing by an even higher rate," Fidel affirmed.
During the celebration, Raul Van Troi Navarro, director general of the Youth Computer and Electronics Clubs, handed Fidel a map of Cuba with the location of the 600 clubs and a photo album with pictures of the 300 new ones recently opened.
Fidel gave diplomas recognizing their achievements to the Palacio Central de Computacion and to the provincial directors of the Youth Computer and Electronics Clubs, for having completed their investment projects.
At the end, Fidel signed the guest book, in which he wrote: "I am, today, March 7, for all the reasons in the world, the happiest revolutionary."
"Today, March 7, for all the reasons in the world, I’m the happiest revolutionary," wrote President Fidel Castro in the guest book during the ceremony marking the 15th anniversary of the Palacio Central de Computacion, the youth-run, department store turned computer training facility in Havana.
When the academic year comes to an end in June for the network of Youth Computer and Electronics Clubs, the number of graduates from these community-based computer training facilities will have reached the one million.
Computer sciences are to become a powerful scientific, economic and political force for Cuba, said President Fidel Castro during the celebration of the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the networks’ central hub at Palacio Central de Computacion, a large computer training facility that for years was a well-known department store in town. The event also celebrated the establishment of 300 new Youth Computer Clubs throughout the nation.
Fidel highlighted the advances achieved in the program since its inception, with the introduction of modern equipment and the opening of 600 Youth Clubs. He noted that the program makes it possible for some 200,000 young persons to train in computers and communications by means of 50 different courses being taught, including several for senior citizens and people with disabilities.
Fidel handed signed diplomas to the provincial directors of the Youth Computer and Electronics Clubs recognizing their achievements.
Ariel Rodriguez Linares is a good example of the opportunities opened up by the Youth Computer and Electronic Clubs. Ariel is a blind student, who graduated from the classrooms of the Palacio facility and is now one of the instructors there. He teaches blind people and people with various visual impediments from the ages of 15 to 60, opening up for them access to the world of computers. There are even those who are now composing digital music.
Fidel Castro reminded the audience how the program began, and recalled that the first contacts with computers took place at the university, when ideas to introduce this technology in that educational institution began to be considered. "At that time resources were very scarce, and all we had was good will," Fidel affirmed.
All along these years other specialized institutions designed to teach computer sciences have also been created, like the University of Computer Sciences (Universidad de Ciencias Informaticas, UCI), which produces educational software, and the polytechnic institutes of computer sciences, with an enrollment of more than 40,000 students.
Our greatest advances will hinge around Medicine and Computer Sciences, said the leader of the Cuban Revolution. "We will see what happens when all this talent is put to work and engages in creation. We must acquaint ourselves with the new changing world around us."
MEDICINE AND COMPUTER SCIENCES
During the celebration, Fidel informed that by the end of this year around 30,000 young people from Latin American and other nations will be studying Medicine and other careers in Cuba, in an effort to save the lives of millions around the world, reduce infant mortality rates, and increase life expectancy.
Fidel said that Cuba is the world’s leader in matters related to the prevention and treatment of eye diseases. He also noted that more than 20,000 Cuban doctors and health care technicians are providing their services in Venezuela and are using computers to study languages and proceed to upgrade their knowledge by means of Masters and Ph.D programs in the Medical Sciences.
Regarding the further development of health care services and the use of new technologies to detect and combat diseases, Fidel underscored the upgrading of the polyclinics, which will be able to assume tasks previously done only at hospitals. Presently, ultrasound and intensive care equipment are being installed, something requiring a widespread knowledge of computer sciences and informatics.
Speaking about the development of computer sciences in Cuba, Fidel emphasized that what is happening in the ongoing energy revolution, has surpassed all expectations in the saving of energy.
"The economy is moving ahead, it is advancing solidly in key areas like transportation and electricity generation, which is increasing by 80,000 kW per week. During the year 2005, the Cuban economy grew by more than 10 percent, and this year it’s going to be growing by an even higher rate," Fidel affirmed.
During the celebration, Raul Van Troi Navarro, director general of the Youth Computer and Electronics Clubs, handed Fidel a map of Cuba with the location of the 600 clubs and a photo album with pictures of the 300 new ones recently opened.
Fidel gave diplomas recognizing their achievements to the Palacio Central de Computacion and to the provincial directors of the Youth Computer and Electronics Clubs, for having completed their investment projects.
At the end, Fidel signed the guest book, in which he wrote: "I am, today, March 7, for all the reasons in the world, the happiest revolutionary."
posted by Alice at
Thursday, March 09, 2006
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home