National Pedagogical University
Latin: Université Pédagogique Nationale
Former name
Institut Pédagogique National
TypePublic, state funded university
EstablishedSeptember 22, 1961 (1961-09-22)
RectorAnastasie Masanga Maponda
(since 2021)[1]
Academic staff
700 (2022)
StudentsOver 20,000 (2022)
Location
Kinshasa
,
Democratic Republic of the Congo
CampusUrban
Colors    Yellow, blue and white
Websitehttps://www.upnrdc.net/upn/

The Université Pédagogique Nationale (meaning "National Pedagogical University"), formerly named the Institut Pédagogique National, 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. Located in the Ngaliema commune of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the university is led by Professor Masanga Maponda Anastasie. Established in 1961, it is the first pedagogical university in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.[2][3][4]

History

The Institut Pédagogique National (IPN) was created by Ordinance No. 73 of September 22, 1961, to address the shortage of teachers caused by the departure of Belgian teachers during the Congo Crisis.[5][4][6] The Congolese government recruited expatriate teachers with the help of UNESCO to train qualified teachers for secondary education.[6][5] The institute opened its doors on October 8, 1961,[5] and launched the Ecole Normale Moyenne Pilote (ENMP) for training science graduates for lower secondary education on October 25.[7] On December 6, 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.[5][8] Through Ordinance Law n°71-075 of August 6, 1971, the IPN became part of the National University of Zaire (Université nationale du Zaïre; UNAZA), encompassing university campuses and higher technical institutes.[9][10][11]

From the reform that concluded the UNAZA era until the 2003–2004 academic year, the IPN was governed by Ordinance Law n°18-145 of October 3, 1981. By decree n°05/007 of February 23, 2005, the IPN became a public institution and was named the Université Pédagogique Nationale by then-President Joseph Kabila. It became the second public university in Kinshasa.[12]

Rehabilitation

In April 2022, the Minister of Higher and University Education (Enseignement Supérieur et Universitaire; ESU), Muhindo Nzangi, announced the construction and rehabilitation initiatives at UPN.[13] The project was initiated by President Félix Tshisekedi and assigned to a Congolese construction firm, with an expected completion timeline of three years.[14][15] The primary objective of the modernization project was to address issues such as the shortage of lecture halls, dormitories, and administrative offices.[13] According to the communication service of the Presidency of the Republic, this rehabilitation was part of a comprehensive program for the construction and rehabilitation of Higher and University Education establishments to enhance their competitiveness and compliance with international standards.[16]

While under construction and rehabilitation, UPN inaugurated its digital library in March 2023 through a public-private partnership with the American company Astria Learning.[17]

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.[18] 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.[18]

The newly constructed student residences

In May 2023, Félix Tshisekedi presided over the inauguration of two newly constructed and renovated UPN homes.[17] The first of these two six-story buildings, dedicated to housing male students, consisted 70 rooms distributed across six floors, while the second three-story building houses 50 rooms and includes a shared laundry facility. Both structures were furnished with complimentary WiFi connectivity.[17] The subsequent phase included the renovation of the girls' residence and the construction of other new buildings, which were in progress.[17] By November 2023, the structures had been redeveloped, incorporating additional green spaces, work areas, and rooms equipped with state-of-the-art technical and educational tools.[19]

Organization and administration

The National Pedagogical University has an organic structure comprising official and faculty bodies:[20]

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.[20]

Faculty bodies

An exterior view of the National Pedagogical University

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.[20] The Decanal Office within each faculty is crucial, comprising the Dean, Vice-Dean for Teaching, Vice-Dean for Research, and Academic Secretary.[20] Additionally, Departments within each faculty is led by a Head of Department and supported by secretaries responsible for Education and Research.[20]

The organization of teachings involves course programs aligned with university regulations.[20] Three cycles are implemented: the graduate cycle (license), the bachelor's cycle (Master's degree), and the Third Cycle (DEA-Doctorate). 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.[20] 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, emphasizing advanced research and academic pursuits.[20]

Notable alumni

References

  1. ↑ "La Professeure Ordinaire Anastasie Masanga Maponda nommée RECTEUR à L'Université Pédagogique Nationale". Lintermediaire-infos.net.
  2. ↑ "Université pédagogique nationale". Uni24k (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 2023-08-16.
  3. ↑ "Université pédagogique nationale". AUF (in Canadian French). Montreal, Quebec, Canada. September 25, 2018. Retrieved 2023-08-16.
  4. 1 2 Ntita, Annie Mbuyi (2015). "Connaissances des étudiants des sciences de la santé de l'UPN sur les facteurs favorisant l'infection à virus Ebola et ses moyens de prévention" (in French). Ngaliema, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo: Université Pédagogique Nationale (UPN). Retrieved 2023-08-16.
  5. 1 2 3 4 George, Betty G. S. (1966). Educational Developments in the Congo (Leopoldville). Washington, D.C., United States: United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. p. 166.
  6. 1 2 Nzongola-Ntalaja, Georges (February 2002). The Congo from Leopold to Kabila: A People's History. Bloomsbury Academic. p. 178. ISBN 9781842770535.
  7. ↑ Bulletin, Issues 1-6. Washington, D.C., United States: United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. 1966. p. 168.
  8. ↑ Notes Africaines, Issues 121-136 (in French). Dakar, Senegal: Institut Fondamental d'Afrique Noire. 1969. p. 20.
  9. ↑ Internationaal tijdschrift voor experimentele pedagogiek, Volumes 23-24 (in English, Spanish, French, German, and Dutch). Ghent, Belgium: Centre for Experimental Educational Research. 1986. p. 75.
  10. ↑ Jr. Davis, Donald G.; Wiegand, Wayne A., eds. (January 28, 2015). Encyclopedia of Library History. Thames, Oxfordshire United Kingdom: Taylor & Francis. p. 217. ISBN 9781135787578.
  11. ↑ Kisangani, Emizet F. (November 18, 2016). Historical Dictionary of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Lanham, Maryland, United States: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. p. 616. ISBN 9781442273160.
  12. ↑ "Université Pédagogique Nationale de Kinshasa". www.gbif.org (in French). Retrieved 2023-08-16.
  13. 1 2 Mayenikini, Jordan (2022-04-07). "ESU : Muhindo Nzangi lance les travaux de construction et de réhabilitation de l'Université pédagogique nationale (UPN) à Kinshasa". Actualite.cd (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 2023-08-16.
  14. ↑ Molo, Wonder (2022-04-07). "RDC : Muhindo Nzangi lance les travaux de construction et réhabilitation des universités publiques" [DRC: Muhindo Nzangi launches construction and rehabilitation work on public universities]. 7sur7.cd (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 2023-12-16.
  15. ↑ Masanga, Naomi (2022-04-07). "ESU : Le ministre Muhindo lance les travaux de construction et réhabilitation des universités publiques" [ESU: Minister Muhindo launches construction and rehabilitation work on public universities]. Actu30 (in French). Retrieved 2023-12-16.
  16. ↑ Ngeleka, Christian (2023-05-04). "Kinshasa : Félix Tshisekedi inaugure la première phase d'ouvrages construits et réhabilités à l'Université Pédagogique Nationale - Congo-actu.net". Congo-actu.net (in French). Retrieved 2023-12-16.
  17. 1 2 3 4 "RDC : Félix Tshisekedi inaugure 2 homes rénovés de l'UPN" [DRC: Félix Tshisekedi inaugurates 2 renovated UPN homes]. Radio Okapi (in French). 2023-05-04. Retrieved 2023-12-16.
  18. 1 2 Muamba, Clément (2023-04-04). "Construction et modernisation des infrastructures universitaires : Patrick Muyaya et Muhindo Nzangi satisfaits de l'évolution des travaux à l'UNIKIN et l'UPN" [Construction and modernization of university infrastructures: Patrick Muyaya and Muhindo Nzangi satisfied with the progress of the work at UNIKIN and UPN]. Actualite.cd (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 2023-12-16.
  19. ↑ Ntumba, Hervé (2023-11-04). "UPN : La Sorbonne de la RDC se réinvente avec une transformation époustouflante, alliant tradition et modernité !" [After almost two years of construction, the campus of the National Teaching University (UPN) has undergone an attractive renovation and transformation]. LePotentiel (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 2023-12-16.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Connaitre UPN" [Know UPN]. www.upnrdc.net (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
  21. ↑ Yacoubian, Nina (September 22, 2006). "Congo Vision : Nouvelles visions pour le Congo et l'Afrique". www.congovision.com (in French). Retrieved 2023-08-16.
  22. ↑ KB, Charles (2021-12-16). "Sud-Kivu/Bukavu: Juliette Mughole Mbambu dans la ville de Bukavu pour réarmer le parti ACLP". Kivu-Avenir (in French). Retrieved 2023-08-16.
  23. ↑ Ngoma, John Ndinga (August 30, 2018). "RDC : un journaliste inéligible aux provinciales pour détention de nationalité étrangère". Africanews (in French). Retrieved 2023-08-16.

4°24′14″S 15°15′29″E / 4.404°S 15.258°E / -4.404; 15.258

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