Protestant University of Congo Celebrates 50 Years

UPC, a university that has survived more than five decades of turbulent politics and national civil conflict, celebrated its 50th anniversary November 22 to 26, 2009, with five days of festivities on its Kinshasa campus that included seminars led by professors and alumni, sporting events, campus tours, an artists’ exhibition with sale proceeds benefiting UPC scholarships, and live music. Rev. Sandra Gourdet, Africa Executive, represented Global Ministries at the university’s opening ceremony, held on November 22 in the Protestant Centenary Cathedral. Rev. Gourdet was invited to speak on behalf of the Disciples of Christ, one of UPC’s five founding churches.

“Education that builds a nation”

Protestant University of Congo (UPC) celebrates Jubilee November 22-26

UPC, a university that has survived more than five decades of turbulent politics and national civil conflict, celebrated its 50th anniversary November 22 to 26, 2009, with five days of festivities on its Kinshasa campus that included seminars led by professors and alumni, sporting events, campus tours, an artists’ exhibition with sale proceeds benefiting UPC scholarships, and live music. Rev. Sandra Gourdet, Africa Executive, represented Global Ministries at the university’s opening ceremony, held on November 22 in the Protestant Centenary Cathedral.  Rev. Gourdet was invited to speak on behalf of the Disciples of Christ, one of UPC’s five founding churches.

A highlight of the Jubilee was an awards ceremony on November 25, when an honorary doctorate in theology was bestowed on former UPC rector Rev. Ben C. Hobgood, a retired Disciples missionary who was born and raised in Congo and who serves as the pro bono Executive Director of UPC’s North American Liaison Bureau. Other honoris causa recipients were former rector Dr. Mel Loewen and Rev. Josue Tshimungu Mayele, president of the Presbyterian Churches of Kinshasa. In addition, posthumous degrees were given to Congolese church leaders Mgr. Shaumba and Mgr. Bokeleale.

All events were free and open to the public. For program details, please go to www.upc-rdc.cd.

UPC was founded in 1959 as a school of theology in Elizabethville (now Lubumbashi). Today, the university has over 7,000 students (half women), and four faculties: law, business administration and economics, theology and medicine.

The private educational institution receives no government funding and relies on tuition as well as individual donors and financial support from international partners such as the Federal Republic of Germany (which built a large classroom building), the Swedish government (which built the library), and non-governmental organizations, such as the German-based EED and Kirk Actie (Netherlands).

Many individual Americans and Australians, as well as various religious congregations, help with additional scholarships. The Liaison Offices in the U.S., Australia and Europe work closely with the UPC to interact with donors and facilitate advocacy on current needs.

The U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa has also played a key role in establishing an American Corner on campus, where students can access education and cultural material. During UPC’s Jubilee celebrations, a wide range of special events was held in the American Corner.

The UPC has produced highly qualified Congolese faculty with doctoral degrees equivalent to those in Europe and the United States. The alumni includes leaders in all sectors of Congolese society, and abroad. They illustrate the slogan of the University: “Education that Builds a Nation.” The distinguished alumni include the current President of the UPC, Prof. Dr. NGOY Boliya and Dr. Jo LUSI Kasereka (founder of HEAL Africa in Goma, DRC), and Pierre MARINI, head of the Church of Christ in Congo and member of Congo’s parliament.

“We invite our alumni to celebrate with us, either in Kinshasa or through their compatriots around the world,” says Rector Ngoy Boliya. “We applaud your efforts to connect with graduates who return home or for those who arrive in a new area. By helping UPC launch alumni groups around the world, you build a network, which in turn leads to other employment opportunities.”

Contact:  Ms. Jolie MBELEMBE Liolia, Public Relations Office, tel +243 81 0550 842, email jolimbelembe@yahoo.fr