The University of Information and Communication Sciences (UNISIC) in Kinshasa is currently in the throes of an unprecedented crisis, with staff declaring the current management committee “resigned”. This radical decision was taken during an Extraordinary General Assembly bringing together members of the university’s academic, scientific, administrative, technical and labor bodies on August 6, 2024.
The reasons behind this declaration are multiple, but mainly linked to reproaches against the current management of UNISIC. Staff members expressed their dissatisfaction with what they call “adulterated management at all levels”. They point the finger at the management committee headed by Professor Kambayi Bwatshia, appointed by the Minister of Higher and University Education, Mohindo Nzangi, for failing to address concerns expressed at a previous meeting in June 2024.
In response to this critical situation, the staff publicly disowned the management committee by declaring it “resigned” as of August 6, 2024 and gave it a 24-hour ultimatum to vacate the premises. The staff members also called on the Prime Minister, the Minister of Higher and University Education, the Minister of Justice and the Chairman of the University Board of Governors to take adequate measures.
Beyond these demands, UNISIC staff reserves the right to initiate legal proceedings against the members of the management committee for “mismanagement” and “willful destruction of the working tool”. In addition, they call for a general audit of the university by competent bodies such as the Inspector General of Finance, the Court of Auditors and the Board of Directors.
The situation at UNISIC, marked by generalized decay, has now reached a point of no return for the university staff. Despite having explored all avenues of dialogue, these radical measures have become inevitable in order to hope for a beneficial change. The decisions taken by the government authorities, as well as the actions of the management committee in the coming hours, will be decisive for the future of this academic institution.
In short, the UNISIC community expects a rapid and effective response to avoid a total paralysis of the university, which could negatively impact both students and staff. The fate of UNISIC now rests in the hands of the stakeholders concerned, with the urgency of acting in a concerted and effective manner to restore the proper functioning of this essential higher education institution.