The Seventh International Congress Conference of Higher Education 'Universidad 2010'will be held February 8 to 12 under the theme 'The University for a Better World'.

Approximately 2,500 overseas delegates are expected to attend this year's conference, as well as representatives from the Association of Universities and Research Institutions of the Caribbean, 200 chancellors from the region, education ministers and principals.

During a briefing at the Cuban Embassy in St Andrew last Friday, Cuban Ambassador Yuri Gala Lopez said the conference had become the ideal space for discussions devoted to analysing various themes on the international agenda of higher learning.

He encouraged persons from tertiary institutions to consider sending representatives to participate in what he said was a major educational event.

More than 4,000 delegates from several continents attended the sixth congress held in 2008, and that number is expected to increase this year as the event attracts even more interest from professionals in education.

Central topics for discussion at the conference include the social commitment of universities and their roles sustainable development, university training for education professionals in various areas of knowledge and current challenges and alternatives for access to and funding for higher education.