Title: Opening ceremony for the 2023-2024 academic year at the Catholic University of Congo (UCC): A new impetus for educational excellence
Introduction :
On Monday October 16, 2023, in Limete, the opening ceremony of the 2023-2024 academic year was held at the Catholic University of Congo (UCC). This major event brought together many academic and political figures, setting the tone for a year of learning and excellence.
A solemn and inspiring ceremony:
The day began with an opening mass celebrated by Mgr Edouard Kisonga, auxiliary bishop emeritus of Kinshasa. This religious ceremony placed the academic year under divine blessing and recalled the importance of education in building a promising future.
Then, an academic session took place, led by the rector of the UCC, Abbot Léonard Santedi. The latter expressed his gratitude to all the participants and congratulated the professors promoted and appointed full-time for this new academic year. He also highlighted the UCC student inventors, rewarded by the President of the Republic, Félix Antoine Tshilombo Tshisekedi, for their exceptional achievements.
UCC: a place of excellence and innovation:
In his speech, Abbot Léonard Santedi recalled the founding vision of the UCC, which aims to bring dynamism and vitality through innovation, while maintaining discipline, rigor and determination. He warmly welcomed the new students, ensuring that they made the right choice in joining the Catholic University of Congo.
Conditions for passing UCC:
The rector also highlighted the conditions necessary for the success of students enrolled at UCC. He emphasized the importance of commitment, perseverance and the constant search for excellence. He encouraged students to seize every opportunity given to them to develop themselves and achieve their goals.
Solemn opening of the academic year:
To close the opening ceremony, Father Noël Mpungu, representative of Mgr Daniel Utembi, president of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO), officially opened the 2023-2024 academic year. This solemn opening marked the beginning of a period of enriching learning and pursuit of knowledge at UCC.
An inspiring theme:
Finally, the inaugural conference addressed the theme “Understanding Ubuntu to build a better humanity”, moderated by Professor Prince Kaumba Lufunda, honorary rector of the University of Lubumbashi. This conference highlighted the importance of human communication, mutual admiration and responsibility in building a harmonious society.
Conclusion :
The opening ceremony of the 2023-2024 academic year at the Catholic University of Congo was a moment full of inspiration and commitment to educational excellence. UCC positions itself as a place of innovation, discipline and determination, offering students the keys to success. This new academic year begins auspiciously, with a strong theme focused on building a better humanity. The UCC thus continues to play a major role in training the leaders of tomorrow.