On the morning of Thursday, April 7, 2022, the Rector of Unikin, the Professor Jean-Marie Kayembe Ntumba , launched the project " Local species " in support of the project " A billion trees » of the Head of State, President of the Republic, Felix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo.

Present at this ceremony were the Administrative Secretary General of Unikin (responsible for sanitation and environmental issues within the management committee), the Special Advisor to the Head of State on the environment, the Mayor of Plateau des Résidents, the head of the Department of the Environment of the Faculty of Sciences, some members of the academic and scientific body as well as students.

The launch ceremony took place at the CNPP site. The delegation received a brief briefing on erosion control as conducted by the Department of the Environment of the Faculty of Sciences. Professor Bieyi, head of this Department, explained that half-filled bags of earth were placed in layers at the site of erosion. After a few months, these bags would be covered by the lawn. Even if they were torn, the earth would remain in place and the lawn would take root. Vetiver grass, a very useful plant for preventing soil erosion, is also used. He also mentioned the use of bamboo.

In his welcoming address, Professor Bieyi welcomed the launch of this vast reforestation program on the university site with local species that will gradually replace the acacias. They will recreate the forest, which will be ecologically good for our environment. This operation could last 2 to 3 months for a complete reforestation of the university site. The local species used is wenge, scientific name Millettia laurentii, it grows quite easily and quickly replenishes the ecosystem by attracting other plants. Thus, the university site can serve as a teaching site for students.

The Rector, for his part, expressed his joy at being able to participate in the program of the Presidency of the Republic. During the COP 26 on climate change, the DRC was presented as the DRC-Solution. We naturally have water and forests, but we need leaders who bring this water and this forest to life, who provide direction, who give meaning to it so that it can contribute to climate change. In this, the University is the natural leader that must assert itself in its research and teaching activities, from which will flow the service rendered to the community. May the expertise of environmental students in the fight against erosion using local means be recognized. May this expertise be presented by requiring a certificate that would be awarded to the University of Kinshasa.

The Head of State's Special Advisor on the Environment was honored to speak on behalf of the Head of State. Deeply committed to the environment, the Head of State was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the Netanyahu Francophone Campus in Israel. Thus, in the near future, a major Belgian-Israeli strategic research center will open at Unikin, the memorandum of understanding having already been signed since July 7, 2021. There will no longer be poor researchers because society will have to pay for the services provided.

The time of planting the wenge seedlings was directed by the Professor Eustache Kidikuadi.

The Unikin Solution is ready.

" KASHIMUKA KUNA SANGA, SANGA ASHALA TSHIMWENU ", said the Rector of Unikin (if you want to be remembered, plant the oak for generations to come).

Rectorate Press.