Congratulations to UNIKIN, which served as a guinea pig for the reform of doctoral training. Congratulations to Minister Muhindo Nzangi, who is continuing to implement the reform and quality assurance in accordance with the spirit of the EGESU-RDC-2021 resolutions.

Here are some innovative points that caught my attention:

1. The distinction between a research doctorate and a professional doctorate. From now on, not every thesis will automatically give access to the position of Teacher-Researcher;

2. Alignment of training models with the CAMES system and its requirements.

3. The establishment of the Doctoral Office in the Office of the SGR. And recognition, where appropriate and following a specific procedure, for the creation of doctoral schools.

4. All university bodies are recognized in their missions for doctoral training. From the Supervisory Committee, Department, Faculty, Management Committee...

5. Establishment of complementary Masters for specific categories;

6. Requirements for publication in indexed journals, peer-reviewed journals, anti-plagiarism, and the establishment of ethics committees. Oyo esengo really.

7. PAs can no longer supervise or evaluate postgraduate work. You must have at least the Grade of P.

8. The 7-member juries are maintained and according to the criteria applied to the unikin. That is to say: …read the decree;

9. Doctorates obtained through online training are not recognized in the DRC…

10. To support your thesis, you need at least two indexed articles (individual or collective) provided you are the first author + participate in conferences related to your thesis specialization…. Here, it adds a requirement to those applied to unikin.

NB. I note that the Unikin experience will have served the Republic well. From now on, quality standards must be imposed everywhere.

Dear doctoral students from here and elsewhere, note that in the entire DRC, there are only 5 indexed journals:

• 4 are at Unikin (Social Sciences, Law, Medicine and Agricultural Sciences).
• One is at IFA-Yangambi.

Furthermore, unikin has an operational anti-plagiarism policy.

The whole spirit of the reform implemented at unikin is there...

Michel Bisa Kibul