The University of Kinshasa (UNIKIN) and the “Belgian Parliamentary Commission responsible for examining Belgium's colonial past in the DRC” resolved on Sunday, September 4, 2022, to collaborate for development prospects in several scientific fields during discussions at UNIKIN between the said Commission and members of the management committee as well as representatives of UNIKIN youth.
The president of this Commission on the Colonial Past, Vauter De Vriendt, reaffirmed Belgium's strong commitment to the DRC to help improve the living conditions of the Congolese people and repair the errors of the colonial past.
Vauter, who led a delegation of seven Belgian parliamentarians to UNIKIN, welcomed the fruitful discussions held with the youth of UNIKIN, who presented proposals that the Commission will take into account in this process of reparation and contribution to the development of the DRC.
The rector of UNIKIN, Professor Jean-Marie Kayembe Ntumba, welcomed the choice made for his alma mater, the eldest daughter of Congolese universities whose management committee is aware of the multiple challenges to be met with significant input from partners.

Digitization of archives

To this end, Rector Kayembe presented to the Belgian Parliamentary Commission the projects related to the digitalization of archives, by having access to colonial archives and to the research of events from the colonial past with the consensus of historians.
According to him, this will allow the history of the Congo to be rewritten in order to properly teach the history of the DRC.
The rector also discussed the projects for the digitalization of academic, administrative and financial management at UNIKIN, the development of innovative sectors that drive growth, academic succession, and alignment with the Bachelor's-Master's-Doctorate (LMD) system.

Kayembe presented to his guests the potential of the 480-hectare N'djili Brasserie site of UNIKIN for research and the creation of agricultural wealth.
The achievements of UNIKIN students were also presented to Belgian partners, notably on the electrification of the university site, sanitation by manufacturing ecological bins and anti-erosion and environmental projects developed with bamboo.
Furthermore, the student representatives suggested to this Commission recommendations in terms of joint development projects in several areas to lift the DRC out of poverty.