Farewell to a Beloved Chemistry Professor from Pinar del Río University

The University of Pinar del Río "Hermanos Saíz Montes de Oca" announced the passing of Dr. Jorge Candelario Milián Domínguez, a distinguished Chemistry professor, who died on Thursday morning.

The university expressed their condolences in a Facebook post, describing his death as "a profound loss for our university and all who shared in his professional and personal life."

Dr. Milián Domínguez was celebrated as an "outstanding Chemistry professor with an exemplary academic career and a steadfast commitment to educating future professionals." His dedication to agronomy and agroecology was particularly noted, as he left a significant impact through his teaching at El Algarrobo farm.

Affectionately nicknamed "Jorgito" or "el quimiquito" by students and colleagues alike, he dedicated decades of his life to various levels of Cuba's educational system.

A Legacy in Education

His career included important milestones in pre-university education: he taught at the Pre-military school located at the "Tania la guerrillera" teacher training center and, in the early 1990s, at Pre No. 6 "Combate de Tumbas de Estorino." He also taught at IPUEC #6, where he earned the nickname that stayed with him throughout his life.

A former colleague recalled him as "a true gentleman and a role model both inside and outside the classroom—a genuine educator."

Later in his career, Dr. Milián Domínguez moved to the Provincial Education Directorate in the Technical and Professional Education department, eventually concluding his career at the University of Pinar del Río. Here, he also served as a thesis advisor, remembered by a former student as "an excellent Chemistry professor with a great heart."

Impact on Students and Colleagues

At El Algarrobo farm, which served as a teaching unit for Forestry and Agronomy students, he left a lasting impression. A former educator who took students there remembered him fondly as "a very good person" and deeply mourned his loss.

Another acquaintance from his time at the "Pre-military" school recalled his diligence and professionalism: "He was very serious about his work and highly professional. I remember his concern for students during the allocation of career paths after our intensive twelfth-grade studies following military service."

A Series of Losses

Dr. Milián Domínguez's passing adds to a series of significant losses at the university in 2026. Just days prior, the university mourned the death of engineer Elio Antonio Govea Rodríguez, an Auxiliary Professor and founding figure of the Industrial Engineering program, who died in a traffic accident. In May, they also lost Dr. Mayra Carmona González, former Dean of the Faculty of Economic Sciences.

These losses occur amid a critical period for Cuban education. The 2026-2027 academic year began with over 20,000 teaching positions unfilled nationwide, exacerbated by low wages, power outages, and widespread shortages. The Ministry of Education managed to slightly improve teacher coverage by calling on retirees, university students, and professionals from other fields, but the gaps persist.

The university concluded their statement of mourning with a shared vow: "Rest in peace, dear professor. Your legacy will remain with us always."

The announcement did not specify the cause of the professor's death or details regarding the funeral services.