Japan is donating books from various fields to the University of Kinshasa. Its ambassador to Kinshasa, Ogawa Hidetoshi, personally presented the donation to UNIKIN Rector Professor Jean-Marie Kayembe on Thursday, April 25, 2024.

For the Rector, this is a valuable gift that will undoubtedly contribute to raising the level of knowledge of students, professors, as well as assistants and project managers at his institution. He indicated that these books will be distributed in the central library and faculty libraries of UNIKIN.

“There is nothing like a book. A book transcends generations. We receive it today, but it may outlive us. We are deeply touched by this brilliant gift, which is of paramount importance to an educational institution like ours. On behalf of the entire community, we offer a heartfelt thank you to Japan.“, said Rector Jean-Marie.

He, in turn, handed over several copies of the University of Kinshasa's 2023-2028 strategic plan to Ambassador Ogawa Hidetoshi. This document, he explained, was born out of the institution's general assembly, as well as the various meetings organized at the level of each faculty.

According to Rector Jean-Marie Kayembe, the various axes of this strategic plan include making UKININ an enterprising and innovative university, strengthening the governance, digitization and digitalization of UNIKIN, reinventing curricula for diplomas with high employability power, scientific research of the new generation to meet the challenges of the sectors and making the alumni community a force at the service of UNIKIN.

“In turn, I'm giving you a few copies of our 2023-2028 strategic plan. This will help us build relationships based on our expectations and your experiences. The friendship between the DRC and Japan is centuries-old. The tradition of university partnerships is even more so. Some of our teachers were trained in major Japanese academies. The Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy are clear examples of this. We want to extend this collaboration to other faculties.", said the rector.

For the Japanese ambassador to the DRC, this visit was of great importance, as it allows for strengthening ties between Japan and the DRC. After closely monitoring all the problems and challenges of UNIKIN, he promises to boost cooperation between this institution and Japanese universities in various fields.

“The main purpose of our presence here is to visit UNIKIN in general. There was a project to donate Japanese books. This is mainly the reason for our presence here. These books cover various fields: natural sciences, history, international sciences, law, etc. I am sure that these books will be read and loved by UNIKIN students now and in the future, and that it will help deepen the feeling of friendship between the DRC and Japan. " said Ambassador Ogawa Hidetoshi.

It should be noted that the Rector of UNIKIN took this opportunity to tell his host about the entire journey of his institution, from the creation of the medical center for the training of nurses and medical assistants in 1925 (Formulac Kisantu), to the University of Kinshasa in 1981, via the University of Lovanium in 1954 and the National University of Zaire (Unaza) in 1971.

Among the challenges facing UNIKIN, Rector Jean-Marie Kayembe cited in particular the digitalization of the academic, administrative and financial management of the University, the development of innovative and growth-promoting sectors, the improvement of the technical platforms of certain faculties and the development of the capacity to propose solutions to society's problems.

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