Scientific lines of the University of Computer Sciences. Photo: UCI

The University of Computer Sciences arrives at the next edition of what has become its main scientific event: the V International Scientific Convention UCIENCIA 2023, which will be taking place from September 27 to 29. The Meliá Internacional Varadero Hotel was chosen as the venue to give the space greater reach, visibility and an intercultural dimension.

Since September 23, 2002, with the beginning of academic activities at the University of Computer Sciences (UCI), the Research Directorate was responsible for establishing the scientific policy of the center, the research groups, the scientific commissions of the faculties and the lines of student scientific work.

In 2005, with a vision of the future, the members of the Directorate together with Dr. C. Rolando Alfredo Hernández León, who headed it and, in addition, had a vast experience acquired at the University of Sancti Spíritus José Martí Pérez, understood the importance of having its own scientific event. As a result of a fruitful brainstorming was born the Scientific Conference of the University of Computer Sciences UCIENCIA, conceived for a national scope.

That same year the first edition passed successfully, attracting participants not only from the UCI but also from dissimilar institutions in the country. From that moment, the meeting began to be held biannually, alternating with the Convention and International Computer Fair Havana.

In 2014, with the intention of consolidating the presence of this house of higher studies in the world, updating participants on high-impact scientific and technological topics and promoting cooperation between institutions linked to computer science and computer science, these events assumed an international character. Thus, on April 10, the I International Scientific Conference of the University of Computer Sciences UCIENCIA 2014 was inaugurated, attended by more than thirty foreign academics.

The European speakers generated great expectation by exposing their experiences and research on the subject of free software, a core issue for the academic center and the technological sovereignty of Cuba. The event also contributed to the promotion of the five trademarks registered by the UCI, among which are, the compendiums of software for Health, Business-Industry, Public Administration, Education and Telematics.

Two years later, UCIENCIA 2016 was attended by around 110 researchers and professors, including 30 foreigners from countries such as Chile, Venezuela, Mexico, Belgium, Spain, Colombia, among others. The more than 300 scientific contributions received allowed to deepen in topics related to data science, as well as the challenges and perspectives in the training of the Computer Science Engineer.

Collaterally, a special edition of the Cuban Journal of Computer Sciences (RCCI) was presented on its tenth anniversary and the sample of computer applications developed by the UCI, which had already contributed to the process of computerization of Cuban society.

In turn, UCIENCIA 2018 was a fruitful day, in which professionals from 15 countries presented the results of their research. Nine workshops discussed topics related to cybersecurity, free software, artificial intelligence, computer project management, computational mathematics, software engineering and quality, the impact of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) on society, computer science teaching and university extension.

The COVID-19 epidemic evolved with unusual aggressiveness and expansion in the world, which led the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare it a pandemic on January 30, 2020. Although the disease did not manage to become a total limitation, it did force us to think and act differently. Initially conceived as a face-to-face event, due to the complex epidemiological situation, it became necessary to develop it virtually in 2021. To take on this challenge, Picta, the Cuban Platform for Audiovisual Content developed by the UCI, was chosen.

The contest was structured in 10 workshops with 371 approved papers, 20 keynote lectures, 3 panels of experts and a symposium with professionals recognized worldwide in the teaching of the English language. The national and foreign presence was extensive, 799 professionals participated, 123 of them from 29 countries on all continents.

Among the activities were a round table on the university-government relationship in local development, and a workshop on experiences on the university-business link, which took place in the Scientific and Technological Park of Havana. As a new element of this event, the My thesis in three minutes Contest was held for the first time.

As usual, this year's contest will encourage debate and will be an opportunity to contribute experiences and proposals related to computer science and computer science.

(With information from the UCI)