More than 1,500 delegates from 64 countries along with 20 ministers of Education have confirmed their participation in the Eighth International University Conference that will run February 8-12 in Havana to discuss several issues concerning universities around the world and their relevance today.

Cuban Vice Minister of Higher Education Rodolfo Alarcón said that 2,123 papers will be presented during the conference, including 1,563 by foreign participants.

The conference will be held under the slogan The University for a Better World, with much of the debate focusing on the importance of universities committing to the promotion of sustainable development.

Among the activities taking place during Universidad 2010 is 13 workshops including the first international workshop on Universities, food security and sovereignty. Another focal discussion point will be the privatization of education.

Rodolfo Alarcon said that the conference will promote access to higher education as a human right, and the universalization of several aspects of university education including collective masters and doctorate programs, and the standardization of school credits and degrees, and strategies to ward off the commercialization of higher education.

Other activities include roundtable discussions and the presentation of 45 high-level conferences with the participation of 20 Education ministers and 200 university presidents.