U
P C UNIVERSITE'
PROTESTANTE au
CONGO KINSHASA 
U
P C UNIVERSITE'
PROTESTANTE au
CONGO KINSHASA
CONGO PROTESTANT UNIVERSITY
NALB NEWS
North American Liaison Bureau
The NALB has established a website to communicate news and information relating to the UPC and the activities of the NALB. A news bulletin is also published [at present semi-annually]. To receive the Bulletin email <pandb@bendcable.com>
The website: www.upcongo.org
UPC NEWS
COMPUTER SCIENCE PROF. NAMED
Dr. David Kutangila, Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Granada, Spain, has returned from doctoral studies, where he was sent by the [U.P.C.] C.P.U. for further education with the intent to hire him upon his return. He graduated from our university in 1995, then was granted a full scholarship for graduate studies by the Spanish government thanks to the intervention of a former C.P.U. professor, Dr. Beltran, currently an administrator at Granada U.
Dr. Kutangila originates from the Kwango region of Bandundu Province of the Congo, but obtained his primary and secondary education in Kinshasa. He is married and has three children. Co-author of several publications in the information science field, Dr. Kutangila is fluent in French, English and Spanish. He earned his doctorate with highest honors in April, 2005.
In addition to teaching Computer Science to C.P.U. students, Dr. Kutangila has been named Webmaster of the C.P.U. website; http://www.uprocongo.cd . After he has brought the French language website up-to-date, he has been asked to add an English version. 12/05
UPC NEW LIBRARY BUILDING AND CLASS ROOM BUILDING COMPLETED
NOVEMBER 2003
THE LIBRARY WAS BUILT WITH GIFTS FROM THE SWEDISH GOVERNMENT AND SWEDISH CHURCHES.
REV. GOMA IS LIBRARIAN
THE LIBRARY NOW HOUSES ABOUT 20,000 VOLUMES. THERE IS URGENT NEED FOR EXPANDING THE LIBRARY REFERENCE LITERATURE, MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT
UPC MEDICAL SCHOOL SEEKS FUNDING FOR SCIENCE EQUIPMENT
With the first students scheduled to enroll in October, 2006, it is imperative that microscopes, glassware and other equipment for labs be gathered in the U.S. for January, 2006 shipment to Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Although there is no shortage of secondary school graduates to begin classes next year, most of them have never worked in a science lab. Donors are sought to support this effort to fund the acquisition of this basic science equipment.
Dr. Ben. C. Hobgood, executive director NALB [Nov.4,2005]
The brochure below is also posted on the BROCHURES PAGE
MEDICAL SCHOOL UPDATE Dec. 6, 2005
Plans are to begin the first classes of the [U.P.C] C.P.U. Medical School in October, 2006. Plans are that studen1s will be selected from many secondary schools, most of which have little or no science equipment or chemicals in their laboratories. We have therefore decided to add a preparatory year to our medical training, making it an eight year stint. The first year will consist of intensive courses in chemistry, biology and physics, plus heavy doses of English (it is anticipated that some visiting professors will not be able to teach in French, the national language of the Congo). Note: The preparatory year for medical school opened in 2006 with over 200 students. 2007 began the first year of classes in the Medical school.
Currently, N.A.L.B. Board members are each undertaking to raise $10,000 apiece for the purchase and shipment of science equipment. These funds are needed by January, 2006, so that the equipment may be obtained and shipped to Kinshasa.
Donors are urged to contribute either to the Board member who initiates the solicitation, or directly to the North American Liaison Bureau, Inc. Because the N.A.L.B. is recognized by the US Internal Revenue Service as a qualified non-profit organization, as stipulated in Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code, US donors will receive tax-deductible receipts.
Ben. Hobgood, Ex. Dir. N.A.L.B.
WWW.upcongo.org
P.O. Box 545,
Penney Farms, FL 32079 USA
See also the CONGO NEWS PAGE
link to http://sanru.org/reports.htm
For more information about the: SANRU Program The Rural Public health project sponsered by the ECC
Announcement of UPC Endowed Scholarship for the late Mary Bobb
THE BOBBS WERE MISSIONARIES IN THE 1960S. THEIR CHILDREN ATTENDED THE "AMERICAN INTERNATONAL SCHOOL [TASOK]
THE BOBBS WERE ALSO HOUSE PARENTS FOR RESIDENT CHILDREN FROM MISSIONS IN THE INTERIOR.
Mary Bobb loved Congo and its people. She also loved young people. TASOK students of the 1960s may remember Mary Bobb, the dynamic director of the choir and school musicals such as Trial By Jury, HMS Pinafore, and South Pacific. Aunt Mary always managed to pull together the actors, props and stage scenery needed for these extravaganzas, despite the challenges of "penurie" and nighttime curfews of the period. She always strived to encourage everyone and found roles in her productions for even the most tone-deaf student. Always accompanied on the piano by husband "Uncle Don",
Aunt Mary also was director of Kinshasa's Chorale Internationale, which staged popular musical performances at Christmas, Easter, Congo Independence Day and United Nations Day. At the same time, she was director of the Kalina Church choir and brought all three choirs together for some wonderful cultural events in Kinshasa.In the late 1960s Aunt Mary was a successful fundraiser for the Université Protestante au Congo (UPC) in Kisangani as it struggled to re-emerge from the ashes of the post-Independence Eastern Rebellions. There, she started the university choir. During her years in Congo Aunt Mary always worked towards the education and empowerment of young Congolese, particularly women, and served as a role model. Some of her protégés have become educators, diplomats and cabinet ministers.
Aunt Mary passed away in 2001 after a lifetime of illness, which she rarely revealed to anyone other than family and close friends. In her memory, her children have established an endowed scholarship in her name with the UPC. It is being administered by UPC's North American Liaison Bureau, headed by Dr. Ben Hobgood, the former Rector of the University. The aim is to endow a full scholarship (tuition, room, board, books and expenses) for a needy student. The scholarship is aimed primarily to help female candidates but may be awarded to any student. It is not to be restricted by region or any other criteria but is aimed at supporting a student from outside Kinshasa. Anyone wishing to help endow the Scholarship may mail a contribution to:
North American Liaison Bureau, Inc.
Protestant University of Congo
P.O. Box 545
Penney Farms, FL 32079
Please make check or money order out to NALB. Please also write "Mary Bobb Endowed Scholarship" at the bottom of the check or money order or else include this on a written note enclosed in the envelope.
Contributions are tax deductible [USA]. When the endowment reaches $5,000 it will be available to fund tuition for a student. When it reaches $25,000 it will fund all costs of a university education for one of the "cadres" so needed by the Congo.
Those who remember Aunt Mary's contribution to TASOK and Congo thank you.
From Mary Bobb's Children, OCT. 2005
Mary Bobb directing the Chorale Internationale in Kinshasa for an Easter pageant.
CONTACT INFORMATION.
Dean Cornwell, Public Relations UPC deancorn28@hotmail.com
NALB: www.upcongo.org
Dr. Ben. C. Hobgood, Executive Director,
North American Liaison Bureau [NALB]
Penney Farms, Fl 32079
Email: b.hobgood@juno.com
Phone/FAX [US] 904-284-6843
Oct. 5, 2007