Jeez, to have students like Gladys in the US.
magbana
JR: Gladys Gutiérrez: Make Revolution every day
Posted by: "Walter Lippmann" walterlx@earthlink.net walterlx
Fri Mar 27, 2009 4:25 pm (PDT)
JUVENTUD REBELDE
University Student Federation
Gladys Gutiérrez: Make Revolution every day
The recently-elected FEU president tells JR she believes that being a student leader means being consistent with what she thinks and feels.
By Margarita Barrio
March 17, 2009
E-mail: dgital@jrebelde.cip.cu
March 17, 2009 00:33:02 GMT
http://www.walterlippmann.com/docs2345.htmlA CubaNews translation by Will Reissner.
Edited by Walter Lippmann
"To fulfill the expectations that the leadership of the Revolution entrusts to each one of the chairs of the FEU, young leaders whose mission and challenge is to carry forward this work, which is not a Revolution in the abstract, but rather a daily task, whatever task befalls us today."
That is how Gladys Gutiérrez Bugallo, chairwoman of the FEU, defines the main challenge she faces in filling this position, which places her at the head of the country's oldest organization, one with a history of always fighting for social justice.
Gladys studied Biochemistry at the University of Havana, where she was the most outstanding graduate in her class in July 2008.
Havana born and bred, and 23 years old, she has a distinguished record as a student leader, first as the head of the FEU in her department, then as chair of the FEU at the University of Havana, and as the ideological officer in the previous National Secretariat.
"One does not expect things like these. Sometimes the companeros tell me: `You like to lead,' but what is involved is not personal satisfaction, but rather knowing that you are useful in what you are doing. One carries out what one is called upon to do, and sometimes the commitment is what motivates you to do things.
"Being a student leader involves a lot of sacrifice. I would like to be with my family, to lead the life of a regular student, but above all responsibility leads you to want things to go well and to be responsible. In short it is acting in line with what one thinks, with what one feels.
"I won't deny to you that I might have a bit of fear about not living up to the confidence that they have placed in me. But I also I feel a great pride that they have elected me and given me this opportunity. What I feel at this time can be summarized as a commitment to do what needs to be done.
"Another challenge is to continue optimizing the work that has been carried out ever since the VII Congress. We need to move it forward, empower it, so that our student population is continually better educated, not only professionally and culturally, but also ideologically.
"We also need to live up to the expectations of the students that we represent, of those we must educate and train. Speaking plainly, this seems to me to be the fundamental thing."
The National Council of the FEU, which is composed of the student leaders at the universities throughout the country, elected its new National Secretariat after having approved the normal transitions within its ranks.
In line with that, Adalberto Hernández, who was president of the FEU up until then, stepped down, along with another group of young people who made up the highest leadership of the student organization. From now on they will carry out responsibilities in their areas and pursue the careers they studied in school. One might say that "they will be where they can be of most use to the Revolution."
Q. Gladys, what do you see as the FEU's main task today?
A. "Although a lot still remains to be achieved, there is no doubt that we have brought to fruition many of the proposals made during the course of the VII Congress.
"One of the main lines of work is teaching, as our main duty. Studying must be a priority for every university student. And it doesn't mean passing to stay in the middle; it means getting good grades, learning, because that is what we are going to need later in our work life.
"In addition to developing as a revolutionary in the university context, a student must be clear that the first task is to become a good professional in order to better serve the homeland and fill the place that the Revolution has in store for them.
"In this sense we have various guidelines. One is to be conscious of the country's needs. Graduates in teaching and in the Physical Sciences are priorities for development.
"Furthermore we need to battle for excellence against mediocrity. Our students must develop a love of study, must not be content just with what they get in their classes, but rather must go further, to seek things out in books. And also to be critical of professors who do not give good classes, who are mediocrities.
"This also relates to research. Without science and without extending knowledge in these fields, the university is nothing. We need to look for viable responses and alternatives for society's, for the country's problems; this is the path the FEU is taking in terms of teaching."
Q. During the discussions in the Council, the subject of training the organization's cadres was raised forcefully. Are there any plans in this regard?
A. "We have plans, because we need to make ourselves stronger. It goes beyond just ideologically training the cadre, because the cadre must serve as an example in all spheres, in culture, in academics, in training.
"The first thing is that the leaders should be conscious of how important their training is in order to carry out this work, because the country and the Revolution's leadership has faith in us, and we must not disappoint them.
"Furthermore, we need to be conscious of our position, of our responsibility for the future of the Revolution, because we are helping to train the professionals that the country needs. And we need to work with humility and modesty, but we need to be very clear about what we stand for.
"Another aspect is how we do it. We need to seek new formulas to reach the great mass of students, to get them involved in a task. Fundamental to this is having a good understanding of the students we are working with.
"Some think that today's young people have lost some values, which is why our work must be intensive. We need to better educate ourselves and be united.
"In this work of training and educating young people we must work together to reach the goals we set for ourselves."
SPANISH ORIGINAL:
http://www.juventudrebelde.cu/cuba/2009-03-17/gladys-gutierrez-hacer-la-revolucion-de-cada-dia/
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