Mr. Rector,

Ladies and Gentlemen in your respective capacities,

The Ariadne's thread that constitutes a strategic plan to achieve operational objectives in a time-space is an exercise of great importance for the life of the University, the life of UNIKIN.

The first ALMA congress held in Kinshasa in June 2018 strongly recommended this operational mode within a policy framework defined by the public authority for an education system that meets the needs of the constantly evolving society.

Mr. Rector,

You will apply this plan like a ship captain leaving a port for the open sea and I must tell you that you will be sailing between two waters, namely, that which one could call "conservatives" and that which one could call "innovators".

The former will rightly attempt to resist the evolution by recalling the classic and civic mission of university education to which they cling to the point of being accused of refusing novelty and of being content with the routine of the past, with little regard for the integration of young people into society, into working life.

The latter are more inclined towards innovation, a tendency acquired from Schumpeter's idea of "creative destruction." They find in this position a healthy competition favorable to the emergence of innovation, notably because it creates a climate conducive to the elimination of positions established by the oldest.

Between the two, you will have to encourage and allow free contradictory debate, fueled by genuine arguments, otherwise you risk giving way to positions that can sometimes be assimilated to reasons of State, avoiding or distancing the actors and especially the students from training in critical thinking.

Then a third dimension, "Communication," is invited into the navigation, whose services would be added to traditional teaching and administrative tasks. It is no longer just a matter of creating training adapted to the supposed needs of employers and, more broadly, to those of today's economy and society, but also of attracting a student population large enough to ensure funding for university operations. Communication becomes a tool for attracting students, allowing private funding for academic institutions. The latter are therefore forced, like advertisers responsible for selling a product, to also become "image makers" after having become creators of new training.

When the strategic plan talks about entrepreneurship and digital technology, it is part of the logic of seeking connections with the private sector, which requires training that is aligned with the national economic fabric. In the case of our country, Congolese national companies are developing jobs in the tertiary sector, services, and digital technology, and soon in artificial intelligence. We are doing little in the primary and secondary sectors, the natural breeding ground for the creation of manufacturing that meets the basic needs of the Congolese population, economic diversification, and import substitution.

Mr. Rector,

On the open sea, we will have to distinguish this ship if it is illuminated by the desired and long-awaited reforms of our education and training system, for a policy that adapts and prepares future generations to master the needs of our rapidly changing society for well-being and freedom.

ALMA assures you of its support in the implementation of this plan and wishes you favorable winds.

As for me, I thank you for your attention.

Kinshasa, August 15, 2023

Jean Pierre Muongo

Vice-president

ALMA Association