He was untiring in his efforts: as a networker between 'his' TUD and the Cuban alumni community; co-initiator of the German-Cuban summer schools in Havana, publisher of academic works in the field of logistics and a specialist on the remnants of German culture in Cuba.

Prof. Manuel Torres passed away as a result of complications from COVID-19. He is sorely missed – as an expert in his field, a mediator, an innovative thinker and a warm-hearted individual with a knowing smile.

In the 1980s, Manuel Torres obtained his doctorate in the field of logistics and transportation from the former "Friedrich List" University of Traffic Sciences in Dresden.  Commenting on his studies, he said, "Cuba is an island – and logistics are indispensable for an island." He was Vice-President of the Cuban Society for Logistics and Marketing, taught as a Professor at the University of Havana, and worked for the Cuban Department of Commerce. Since the 2000s, he was proactive in supporting the Humboldt University of Berlin in the organization of the International Summer School in Economics and Management (ISSEM) in Havana. He also championed the involvement of other German universities. The "Semana Alumni" (SEMAL) Alumni Week of 2019 can also be attributed to his initiative — when the Alumni Relations Officer and TUD Alumni met in Havana.

For many years, he represented his alma mater in Cuba as a Regional Ambassador, he participated in the TUD Alumni Weeks and always cultivated - where ever he was - practical ideas for networking with the academic community in his country.

In addition, he spent decades researching traces of the German people in Cuba. He published two books on this subject, one of which he co-edited. In an interview at the 2008 Havana Book Fair, he said, "My interest in German culture originates from the time I spent studying in Dresden. I have started collecting material about traces the Germans have left in Cuba. Admittedly, there were not many Germans in Cuba, but they have had a significant influence on our country. There is virtually no scientific or technical field that has not been impacted by Germans - be it coffee plantations, sports, literature, railroads, the sugar industry, or the university system." He elaborated further, "700 – 800 Cubans studied in the GDR. About 500 of those studied in Dresden, where some also obtained their doctorates. Over 10,000 Cubans worked in the GDR and they didn’t merely learn about technology — they also took their cultural impressions back with them."

Tributes to Manuel Torres:
"Manuel Torres was an enthusiastic alumnus and TUD Regional Ambassador – and a wonderful guy. We will always cherish his memory." (Nikolai Press, TUD Regional Ambassador Spokesperson)

"Manuel Torres was passionate about (logistics) education in Cuba, and he still had so many ideas he wanted to implement – also with me." (Prof. Rainer Lasch, Chair of Business Management, esp. Logistics at TUD)

"He was a tireless initiator and mediator in German-Cuban university communication, in addition to being an extremely winning, friendly person who achieved a lot with his humor and wealth of ideas." (Dr. Ulrike Dorkmüller, former DAAD lecturer in Havana)

"I have so many memories of Manuel Torres from the nearly 20 years that I was privileged to know him. He was a remarkable individual. He lived for bringing people together – whether in the field of logistics, as an initiator of the International Summer School or as a friend and advisor. Even during the time he spent in Dresden, he was the soul of his study group. He was one of the founders of the German-Cuban alumni network, which the Humboldt University of Berlin has cultivated in Cuba since 2001, and which he has indefatigably expanded. It was he who initiated the 'Actualidades Alemanas' series where alumni exchanged views on developments in Germany at the HU and beyond. It was he who made logistics the topic of a joint conference for the past twenty years, and it was he who tirelessly promoted interactions with Cuba during his trips to Germany. He inspired German students and others with his research on German traces in Cuba. With Manuel Torres, German-Cuban friendship has lost a steadfast advocate, an exceptional person and friend for whom we deeply mourn." (Jan Hansen, Managing Director of WIWEX GmbH, HU Berlin)

"I have many memories of him:

• With his involvement as a TUD alumnus, in his role as a TUD Regional Ambassador who personally supported the academic exchange between the University of Havana and TUD;
• As a promoter of “awarding Golden anniversary TUD degrees to alumni”, who were so often active in the fields of academia or politics during their careers;
• As a supporter of the Alumni Week in Havana with German-Cuban contacts and higher education events for the Cuban alumni and early-career researchers
• As a dedicated ambassador of Cuban culture, who organized day trips for German guests and told them beautiful stories about the region.” (Former TUD Professor and honorary UH Professor (Docente especial de profesor invitado) Alexander Karmann)

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