The opening of the 2023-2024 academic year at the Catholic University of Congo (UCC) was celebrated on Monday October 16, 2023 in Limete. This important event brought together many academic and political authorities. The day began with an opening mass presided over by Mgr Edouard KISONGA, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Kinshasa, in the UCC amphitheater.
After the mass, an academic session was held, during which the rector of the university, Father Léonard SANTEDI, expressed his thanks to all the participants and congratulated the professors promoted and appointed full-time for this new Year. It also highlighted the student inventors of the UCC who were rewarded by the President of the Republic, Félix Antoine Tshilombo Tshisekedi, notably Mitterand Inanga, inventor of a disciplinary bulletin for the schools of the Republic, and a group of four students from the Faculty of Economics and Development for their invention of the turbine pump.
The rector presented the founding vision of the UCC, highlighting the values of dynamism, enrichment, innovation, discipline and rigor. He warmly welcomed the new students, assuring them that they made the right choice in joining this educational institution. He also highlighted the conditions for success for a student enrolled at UCC.
The opening ceremony of the academic year closed with an inaugural conference on the theme “Understanding Ubuntu to build a better humanity”, moderated by Professor Prince KAUMBA LUFUNDA, honorary rector of the University of Lubumbashi. The speaker highlighted the importance of Ubuntu, a concept close to the values of humanity and fraternity, particularly used in South Africa to promote national reconciliation.
This theme highlights the need for human communication and mutual admiration to live better in society and become real human beings. Ubuntu joins the philosophy of responsibility and reciprocity.
In conclusion, the opening of the academic year at the Catholic University of Congo was marked by moments of celebration, recognition and reflection on the fundamental values of the institution. This event sets the tone for an academic year focused on excellence, innovation and the training of future responsible leaders.