Pan-African University of the Congo

Private university in Mont Ngafula, Kinshasa

Pan-African University of the Congo

Université Panafricaine du Congo

Motto| Elitisme, innovation, épanouissement[1]
Type| Public university
Established| January 7, 2010; 15 years ago (2010-01-07)
Affiliation| Ministry of Primary, Secondary and Technical Education
Students| Over 500
Address|

Mont Ngafula

Kinshasa

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Campus| Urban, in Mont Ngafula and Selembao
Language| French
Website| upac-rdc.com

The Pan-African University of the Congo (French: Université Panafricaine du Congo), colloquially referred to by its acronym UPAC, is a public higher education and research institution located in Mont Ngafula, Kinshasa.[2][3][4][5] Established under Ministerial Decree No. 004/MINESU/CABMIN/MML/DESP/KOB/2010 on 7 January 2010,[2][6][7] the university officially began operations on 12 November 2011.[8] As the first institution in the country to implement the Bachelor-Master-Doctorate (LMD) system,[9][10] UPAC serves as a multidisciplinary center for training, research, and economic and social development projects.[2] It also provides consultancy services and an analysis center to support national and international initiatives.[2]

## History

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UPAC was officially established on 7 January 2010, by Ministerial Decree No. 004/MINESU/CABMIN/MNL/DESP/KOB/2010.[2][6][7] Spanning an area of 1,800 square meters,[2] the university commenced its academic activities on 12 November 2011, with three foundational faculties: Law, Economics and Management, and Science and Technology, as well as a specialized program in Architecture.[8] UPAC became the first university in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to adopt the Bachelor-Master-Doctorate (LMD) system.[8][9][10]

The inaugural academic year, 2011–2012, was officially declared open by the university's first rector, Professor Willy Moke-Sangol Bongo Pasi, during a conference held on the opening day.[8] The university, in line with Minister Léonard Mashako Mamba's vision for modernizing Congolese universities, began with 200 students per class.[8]

On 16 September 2014, UPAC initiated the construction of a second second campus at 12th Street No. 45 in the Cité-Verte neighborhood of Selembao.[5] At this juncture, academic programs were restructured into two primary faculties: the Faculty of Science and Technology—encompassing Civil Engineering, Architecture, and Computer Engineering—and the Faculty of Human Sciences, comprising departments of Law and Economics.[5] In 2015, it introduced the Faculty of Health Sciences and the Faculty of Information and Communication Sciences.[5]

## Organization and trainings

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### Governance

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UPAC's governance consists of three central components.[11] The Board of Directors establishes the university's overarching policies, sanctions the budget, and oversees key decisions that shape the institution's strategic vision.[11] The Management Committee is responsible for managing daily operations, proposing academic policies, and guaranteeing the quality of university life.[11] The Scientific Council guides the research focus, supervises publications, and promotes and disseminates research outcomes.[11]

### Trainings

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The training structure in the LMD system is divided into cycles, beginning with the first cycle, which awards the bachelor's degree.[12] This degree prioritizes interdisciplinary studies and progressive development, consisting of three phases. The first phase, lasting the first two semesters, includes introductory and exploratory courses common to a group of subjects, assisting students in adjusting to university life. The second phase deepens basic knowledge in the chosen field and introduces specialization during the 3rd and 4th semesters.[12] The final stage focuses on specialized courses and culminates in the preparation of an end-of-studies dissertation, internship report, or project, depending on the program's objectives.[12] The bachelor's degree is granted to students who fulfill all academic requirements and accumulate 180 credits (30 per semester).[12] At the end of the six semesters, most students (80%) join the workforce, while a minority may pursue further studies through specialization or research pathways, leading to a master's degree or doctorate. Mechanisms for monitoring and ensuring training quality must be identified and implemented at appropriate intervals.[12]

The second cycle, leading to the master's degree, concentrates on specialization with objectives directed at professional or research-oriented outcomes.[12] The master's program usually comprises two stages: a preparatory stage covering fundamental sector knowledge to define key skills and professional profiles, and a specialization phase in which students refine their expertise and engage in scientific research.[12] The program requires the completion of 120 credits (30 per semester), with the final requirement being the submission and defense of a master's thesis before a committee.[12]

Continuing education is also integral, with programs designed to respond to the ever-changing needs of professionals and the job market.[12] These programs are developed in collaboration with companies, unions, NGOs, and other stakeholders to address workforce needs and career advancement.[12] The programs aim to provide career-focused training to meet job market demands and facilitate career reconversions.[12] Training is categorized into short-term programs (seminars, colloquiums, and conferences lasting 3 days to 3 months), medium-term programs (refresher and advanced training lasting 1 to 6 months), and long-term programs (lasting 1 to 2 years).[12]

## Faculties

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* Faculty of Science and Technology[13]
* Faculty of Human Sciences[13]
* Faculty of Health Sciences[13]
* Faculty of Information and Communication Sciences[13]

## See also

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* Democratic Republic of the Congo portal
* Education portal

* University of Lubumbashi
* University of Kisangani
* University of Kinshasa
* Education in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

## References

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1. ^ "Université Panafricaine du Congo". upac-rdc.org via Wikiwix. Retrieved 2023-10-15.
2. ^ a b c d e f "Présentation - U.PA.C". Pan-African University of the Congo (in French). Mont Ngafula, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
3. ^ "Kinshasa: la communauté estudiantine invitée à se cultiver par la lecture du livre" [Kinshasa: Student community invited to educate themselves through reading books]. ACP (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. 24 April 2024. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
4. ^ "Congo-Kinshasa: De nouveaux candidats attendus avant la clôture des inscriptions - U.PA.C - Le Professeur Willy Bongo-Pasi lance officiellement l'année académique 2021-2022" [Congo-Kinshasa: New candidates expected before the closing of registrations - U.PA.C - Professor Willy Bongo-Pasi officially launches the 2021-2022 academic year]. La Prospérité (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. 17 November 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
5. ^ a b c d Ngapi, Rich (17 September 2014). "Congo-Kinshasa: L'Université panafricaine du Congo ouvre son deuxième site" [Congo-Kinshasa: The Pan-African University of Congo opens its second site]. Le Potentiel (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
6. ^ a b "SOMMAIRE". Leganet.cd (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
7. ^ a b Aloys, Paluku Vagheni (2014). "Conception et réalisation d?un système d'inscription en ligne dans les institutions universitaires: Cas de l'UCBC/Beni" [Design and implementation of an online registration system in university institutions: Case of UCBC/Beni] (in French). Beni, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo: Christian Bilingual University of Congo. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
8. ^ a b c d e Ngapi, Rich (14 November 2011). "Afrique: L'Université panafricaine du Congo ouvre ses portes" [Africa: The Pan-African University of Congo opens its doors]. Le Potentiel (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
9. ^ a b Ngapi, Rich (26 June 2012). "Congo-Kinshasa: L'Université Panafricaine du Congo organise son premier colloque" [Congo-Kinshasa: The Pan-African University of Congo organizes its first conference]. Le Potentiel (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
10. ^ a b Ngapi, Rich (17 November 2014). "Congo-Kinshasa: L'Université panafricaine du Congo ouvre son deuxième site" [Congo-Kinshasa: The Pan-African University of Congo opens its second site]. Le Potentiel (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
11. ^ a b c d "Organisation administrative - U.PA.C". Pan-African University of the Congo (in French). Mont Ngafula, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Formation - U.PA.C". Pan-African University of the Congo (in French). Mont Ngafula, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
13. ^ a b c d "Programmes - U.PA.C". Pan-African University of the Congo (in French). Mont Ngafula, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 21 December 2024.

## External links

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* Official website

4°26′07″S 15°15′28″E﻿ / ﻿4.43534°S 15.25785°E﻿ / -4.43534; 15.25785