Kinshasa, August 7th, 2021 (CPA). – The president of the board of directors of the Congolese universities, Bishop Tharcisse Tshibangu, announced, Friday, to the press, the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Congolese multi-campus university (UNACO / UNAZA) , August 6, 2021.
Bishop Tharcisse Tshibangu indicated, on this occasion, the main stages in the history of higher and university education in the Congo, contained in the 2nd edition of his book entitled « Congolese University.
These are the universities enjoying the greatest operational autonomy from 1954 to 1963, namely the Lovanium University of Kinshasa, the Official University of the Congo in Lubumbashi and the Free University of the Congo in Kisangani as well as the University of the Congo (1971-1981).
The president of the board of directors of the Congolese universities recalled the principle of decentralization of the universities under the high administration and the control of a « single board of directors » respectively for the universities, the board of directors of the universities (CAU), for higher technical institutes (CA-IST) and for higher educational institutes (CA-ISP).
He referred to the principle of « liberalization » by which the Congolese state recognizes, under well-established conditions, institutions created and proposed on the basis of private initiatives.
There is also the principle of the possibility, for the future, of institutions created or managed in partnership between the State and the private sector. This principle is notably taken up in the framework of the proposed State-Church Framework Agreement. since 2016 and officially signed in 2019, he stressed.
The president of the board of directors of the Congolese universities noted the various historical and statutory reference documents in particular the “Final general report” resulting from the congress known as of N’sele (July 27-29, 1971) of which he had been the general rapporteur. .
He listed the basic legislative texts establishing and governing the Congolese University: the Ordinance law of August 6, 1971, creating the National University of Congo (UNACO called UNAZA since October 1971), the Ordinance law establishing the nomenclature and the academic graduation ceremony (1981) and the Decentralization of Universities Law Ordinance, while remaining under the senior management and control of the Universities Administrative Council (1981).
Bishop Tshibangu reported on a new stage in the development of the university in Congo which, he said, aims at a major reform of strengthening basic principles, condition of all the positive gains recognized in our educational system in general and academic in particular.
In the new stage, he will say, it will also be a question of integrating all the most modernizing and relevant achievements for us as we observe them throughout the world, in Europe, America, Asia and Europe. Australia.
The celebration of the 50th anniversary of the organization of ESU, he explained, once again gives me the opportunity to pay tribute to the national contribution across all major regions and provinces of the country.
“Personally, I have been able to count on the support and incessant support of senior officials of the country, starting with the five Heads of State who have succeeded one another from Joseph Kasa-Vubu, to the current President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi, through Joseph Désiré Mobutu who appointed me after the agreement of Pope Paul IV, magnificent rector of the National University of Congo (UNACO), by Laurent-Désiré Kabila and Joseph Kabila, as well as the various Prime Ministers and supervising ministers », Recounted Bishop Tshibangu.
ESU States General
Bishop Tshibangu said he had filed, at the request of the Minister of Higher and University Education (ESU) and for the attention of the government, the document relating to the organization of the Estates General of the ESU (EGESUC) and the related one. with the framework law signed on February 11th, 2014, entitled: “Working document on the application texts”.
According to Bishop Tharcisse Tshibangu, the entire good omen is there, to ensure the future of our great university alma mater whose motto is « Scientia splendet et conscientia », « Science which enlightens the conscience ».
He underlined the need to plan, from period to period, new structures and orientations that are necessary and present in the Congolese education system.
Archives and documentation center
Bishop Tshibangu is keen to erect a large university historical archive and documentation center on the site of the University of Kinshasa (UNIKIN).
This center should also serve for all universities and ESU institutions in the country. the construction of buildings which will include a postgraduate university center (CUTC), a scientific center and a spiritual center (CSSP).
« It is expected that the inauguration of the main phase of these buildings, will be celebrated by the Head of State himself, President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi during the month of December 2021 », said Bishop Tshibangu before emphasizing that the official closure of the general celebration of its double academic and episcopal jubilee is set for December 6, 2021. ACP/