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Université Pédagogique Nationale

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The Université Pédagogique Nationale (meaning "National Pedagogical University"), formerly named the Institut Pédagogique National,[2] colloquially referred to by its acronym UPN, is a public institution of higher education dedicated to training teachers, enhancing their skills, and promoting studies and research in applied pedagogy.[3][4] Strategically located in Ngaliema commune,[5][6] it is bordered by the Binza-Pigeon neighborhood to the north, Avenue de la Libération to the south, the road to Matadi to the west, and the Camping neighborhood (Camping Madiata) of Selembao commune to the east.[7]

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Founded in 1961 as the Institut Pédagogique National, it merged with the National University of Zaire (UNAZA) in 1971.[6] Following UNAZA's dissolution, the IPN operated under Ordinance Law No. 18-145 of 3 October 1981, until it was elevated to full university status by Decree No. 05/007 on 23 February 2005, becoming the DRC's first pedagogical-focused university.[6][8]

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Missions

UPN's mission is centered on cultivating highly qualified professionals capable of contributing to various sectors of national development, with a pronounced emphasis on education.[9] The university aspires to cultivate in future teachers a deep awareness of their role as educators, instilling a sense of mission and personal dignity.[9] It also seeks to enhance the qualifications of its academic staff as well as those of the Higher and Technical Pedagogical Institutes (Institutes Instituts Supérieurs et Techniques Pédagogiques) across the Democratic Republic of the Congo by offering advanced degree programs at the master's and doctoral levels. In line with its mission, UPN advances and disseminates educational research, particularly through the production and distribution of textbooks tailored to the needs of secondary and vocational education.[9]

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History

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The Institut Pédagogique National (IPN) was created by Ordinance No. 73 of 22 September 1961, to address the shortage of teachers caused by the departure of Belgian teachers during the Congo Crisis.[10][5][11] The Congolese government recruited expatriate teachers with the help of UNESCO to train qualified teachers for secondary education.[11][10] The institute opened its doors on 8 October 1961[10] and launched the Ecole Normale Moyenne Pilote (ENMP) for training science graduates for lower secondary education on 25 October.[12] On 6 December 1969, the IPN inaugurated its Ecole Normale Supérieure for training associates in sciences intended for upper secondary education. It later transforms into a bachelor's degree section to train graduates in applied pedagogy.[10][13] Through Ordinance Law No. 71-075 of 6 August 1971, the IPN became part of the National University of Zaire (Université nationale du Zaïre; UNAZA), a unified system that included various higher education campuses and technical institutes.[14][15][16]

Following UNAZA's dissolution, the IPN operated under Ordinance Law No. 18-145 of 3 October 1981, until it was elevated to full university status by Decree No. 05/007 on 23 February 2005.[6][17][9] This transformation was part of broader educational reforms stemming from the PADEM (Pacte de Modernisation de l'Enseignement Supérieur et Universitaire) and the recommendations of a round table of Congolese universities held in Kinshasa in 2004.[9][18] With its new status as UPN, the institution became the second public university in Kinshasa and the first in the country to specialize in pedagogical education.[17][8]

Rehabilitation

In April 2022, Muhindo Nzangi, the Minister of Higher and University Education (Enseignement Supérieur et Universitaire; ESU), announced plans for building and refurbishing facilities at UPN.[19] The project was initiated by President Félix Tshisekedi and assigned to a Congolese construction firm, with an expected completion timeline of three years.[20][21] The central goal was to address issues such as insufficient lecture halls, dormitories, and administrative offices.[19][22] While under construction and rehabilitation, UPN inaugurated its digital library in March 2023 through a public-private partnership with the American company Astria Learning.[23][24][25]

In April 2023, the rehabilitation of edifices accommodating student residences, the amphitheater designated for alleviating the strain on certain faculties grappling with excessive enrollments, and various other structures on the campus were nearing completion.[26] According to the Minister of Communication and Media, Patrick Muyaya Katembwe, the overhaul of the student residences has been completed with renovations including plumbing, electrical systems, water supply infrastructure, bedding, ventilation systems, and the auditoriums designed to host up to 6,000 students have been declared fully operational.[26]

In May 2023, Félix Tshisekedi presided over the opening of two newly built and renovated UPN residence buildings.[27] The first six-story building, meant for male students, contained 70 rooms spread across six floors. The second, a three-story structure, had 50 rooms and included a communal laundry area. Both buildings featured free WiFi access.[27] The following phase involved renovating the female students' residence and building new structures, which were ongoing.[27] By November 2023, the campus had new green areas, study zones, and rooms featuring advanced educational and technical amenities.[28]

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Academics

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Application School

The Application School provides a comprehensive training environment for students pursuing education degrees.[29] It comprises nursery, primary, and secondary sections, offering a variety of academic options including mathematics-physics, literary studies, commercial management, pedagogy, general sciences, general electricity, and hotel nutrition.[29] As a practical field site, the Application School provides students and faculty with authentic environments for observation, experimentation, and implementation of pedagogical techniques. This setting allows UPN students to train to become educators to test classroom theories in a supervised and realistic context.[29]

Professional practical cell

UPN organizes professional practice opportunities for all second-year and first-year students, followed by internships during the third-year and second-year phases of their education.[29] This structure creates a symbiotic relationship between UPN and the national education system, allowing experienced educators to contribute to functional teaching practices.[29]

Reception and Guidance Service

The Reception and Guidance Service provides extensive support to help students adapt and thrive in their educational environment. The service offers guidance counseling, psychological consultations, and advisory support to address diverse needs such as specialization choices, academic program information, school adaptation challenges, and learning difficulties.[29] The Reception and Guidance Service is tailored to students across all levels, from kindergarten through university.[29]

School guidance serves as a structured process that facilitates student development and adjustment to their educational contexts by providing a diverse array of support mechanisms, including guidance advice, counseling, and psychological consultations, among others.[29] This process pursues several objectives: facilitating the selection of academic paths, disseminating information on study courses, addressing school maladjustment, and aiding adaptation to university life.[29] It is designed to be inclusive of all educational stages, recognizing that such support represents a universal need across all ages and constitutes a continuous process throughout an individual's life.[29]

Central Library

UPN's Central Library supports the university's teaching and research initiatives. It houses an extensive collection of books, journals, reference works, and theses accessible to academic staff and students.[29] While traditional print resources remain foundational, UPN has made significant strides in digital access.[29] On 16 March 2023, the university inaugurated a digital library—the first in Kinshasa and the second in the Democratic Republic of the Congo after the University of Kolwezi.[23][24][25] The digital library initially offered access to over 176 titles, complete with mobile-friendly options.[24]

Association of Scientific Executives

The Association of Scientific Executives, established in 1990, operates as a professional syndicate for faculty and research personnel.[29] Formed in response to economic adversities, it strives to safeguard the interests of its constituents, comprising professors, teaching assistants, and department heads.[29] The association's activities are supported by member contributions deducted from salaries, as set by a general assembly. Led by a president and governed by an executive committee, it also includes a council of advisors and auditors.[29] Committee members serve one-year terms, renewable once. Alongside social support functions—such as assistance during illness or family bereavement—the association advocates for the professional rights and welfare of its members.[29]

Research centers

UPN conducts extensive individual and collaborative research, with a strong emphasis on pedagogical studies and scholarly publication.[29] Key research institutions include the Interdisciplinary Research Center of the National Pedagogical University (CRIDUPN), the Center for Study and Promotion in Socio-economic Interventions Father Hardy Development of the National Pedagogical University (CEPRISE-PHD-UPN), and the Center for Research and Study for the Development of Education (CREDE).[29]

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Organization and administration

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The National Pedagogical University has an organic structure comprising official and faculty bodies:[30]

Official bodies

The official bodies consist of the University Council, uniting deans, center directors, and members of the university's management committee, along with the Management Committee responsible for daily operations, led by the Rector and including key roles such as Academic Secretary General, Secretary General for Research, Administrative General Secretary, and Budget Administrator.[30]

Faculty bodies

There are distinct administrative and teaching structures on the faculty level. Faculty Administration encompasses units focused on teaching, research, and administration, supported by components like the Faculty Council, Faculty Office, and Faculty Administration.[30] The Decanal Office within each faculty is crucial, comprising the Dean, Vice-Dean for Teaching, Vice-Dean for Research, and Academic Secretary.[30] Additionally, Departments within each faculty is led by a Head of Department and supported by secretaries responsible for Education and Research.[30]

The organization of teachings involves course programs aligned with university regulations.[30] Three cycles are implemented: the graduate cycle (license), the bachelor's cycle (Master's degree), and the Third Cycle (DEA). The license cycle, a three-year general education phase, includes a teaching or business internship and the completion of a dissertation or End of Cycle work.[30] The bachelor's cycle, spanning two years, incorporates core courses, optional courses, seminars, a dissertation defense, and an internship in public and private administrations. The Third Cycle, offering DEA-Doctorate programs, has been in place at UPN since 2007.[30]

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Faculties

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UPN is divided into ten specialized faculties, with each faculty comprising various departments dedicated to targeted academic and practical objectives.[31][29]

Faculty of Health Sciences

  • Departments:
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Sports Science and Motor Skills
    • Geography and Environmental Management
    • Computer Mathematics
    • Physics and Applied Techniques
    • Health Sciences
    • Hospitality, Reception, and Tourism

Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences

  • Departments:
    • Latin Letters and Civilization
    • French Letters and Civilization
    • African Letters and Civilization
    • English Letters and Civilization
    • Historical Sciences
    • Information and Communication Sciences
    • School of Tradition and Interpretation
    • Philosophy

Faculty of Economics and Management

  • Departments:
    • Economics
    • Commercial and Administrative Sciences (Day and Evening Programs)
    • Management

Faculty of Social, Administrative, and Political Sciences

  • Departments:
    • Political and Administrative Sciences
    • International Relations
    • Sociology and Anthropology

Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences

  • Departments:
    • Academic and Professional Guidance (Day and Evening Programs)
    • Management and Administration of Educational and Training Institutions (Day and Evening Programs)
    • Educational Sciences
    • Business Management and Organization
    • Psychology

Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

  • Departments:
    • Zootechnics
    • Council Meeting
    • Deliberation

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

  • Departments:
    • Basic Sciences
    • Preclinical Studies
    • Clinical Sciences

Faculty of Pedagogy and Didactic Disciplines

  • Departments:
    • Pedagogy
    • Aggregation and Didactics of Disciplines

Faculty of Science and Technology

  • Departments:
    • Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science
    • Chemistry
    • Physics and Applied Techniques

Faculty of Law

  • Private Law
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Notable alumni

See also

References

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