HISTORY

of the

CONGO PROTESTANT UNIVERSITY

The University is a church-related institution with three colleges whose enrollment in the academic year 2003-2004 was approximately 4,500 students. It is the outcome of a century-long effort by the various Protestant missions and the Congolese "Eglise du Christ au Congo" to educate African Christians. 

In 1959, one year before the Belgian Congo's independence, the first post-secondary Pro­testant educational institution was created in what is now the city of Lubumbashi. This was n theological seminary on a university level, undertaken by the five major Protestant missions; it had to close the following year when political and military events related to independence made its existence impossible 

It wasn't until 1963 that events of the Democratic Republic of Congo allowed the young nation's third university, then called the Free University of Congo, to open. Sponsored by the national Congo Protestant Council, this institution was located in what was then Stanleyville. After one year of preparatory courses, regular university-level classes were set to begin in October, 1964 but were prevented when the city fell to leftist Simba rebels, who held the entire city, including our campus, with some 2,800 foreigners hostage, for four terrifying months. Classes were moved to the relative safety of Kinshasa, the country's capital city 1,000 miles west, on the campus of Lovanium University, a Roman Catholic institution where for two academic years,1964-66, the two universities functioned academically as one, [a grand ecumenical statement on the heels of Pope John XXIII's opening to Protestants,]. This joint experience was mutually beneficial in troubled times. The Protestants returned to their own campus in 1966 and. despite two further civil wars in their area and on campus, functioned well until 1971, At this time the Congolese government nationalized both Christian universities: the Free University of Congo became merely the University of Kisangani (new name for its home city) campus of the National University. Likewise, Lovanium University became simply the University of Kinshasa of the National University.

Following nationalization, the theological seminaries that were integral parts of the two Christian universities were required to leave their campuses, and thus became independent insti­tutions of their respective churches. The Protestant Theological Faculty moved from Kisangani to the nation's capital, Kinshasa, where it temporarily shared facilities with other Protestant institutions until it obtained funding to build its own campus. Two one-story academic buildings were built, plus several faculty housing units and two small dormitories, each housing only thirty-five students.

Under pressure from western powers, the late President Mobutu began a democratization process in 1990, removing restraints from higher educational institutions. Where there had been only one national university with three campuses to serve a country of over forty million, there quickly developed two to three hundred so-called “universities” of questionable academic virtue.  The Protestant Theological Faculty, which had limited itself strictly to pastoral training with respectable university-level high academic standards, was instructed by its Board to expand its offerings and become once more a full-fledged university!  From a student body of about 200 theological students it has grown to its present size of over 4500 full time students in three colleges:  Theology, Law, and Business & Economics.  A College of Medicine is planned for the 2006 academic year.       

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The Board of Trustees that governs the U.P.C. is made up of representatives from the founding churches (American Baptists, British Baptists, Disciples of Christ, Presbyterian U.S.A. and United Methodists). Also represented is the National Church of Christ in Congo (the ecumenical organization that serves as an umbrella for some 8,000,000 Protestants in the Congo), plus several at-large individuals selected by the Board of Trustees. All members must be approved by the National Synod of the Church of Christ in Congo. Led by the Rev. Dr. B. NGOY, (Disciples, PhD University of Strasbourg, France). The UPC faculty is composed of well-qualified Congolese with degrees from a number of overseas universities in Europe and North America. At present radically short of full-time professors, the U.P.C. employs as adjunct faculty several dozen qualified professors from nearby state institutions-primarily the University of Kinshasa ,who are eager to lend a hand because their salaries are paid irregularly by the State. These professors teach for the U.P.C. because they are eager to earn the $3 to $5 per lecture hour com­pensation they know will be paid at the end of each month! With income received from tuition paid in cash by its students HS well as from foreign donors, the U.P.C. manages its money care­fully and thus is able to meet its monthly payroll dependably, on schedule.

French is the language of instruction. The library is probably the largest and best in the entire Congo, but contains only about 15,000 volumes, mostly in French. [All Congo Libraries were previously extensively looted by repeated rebel activity.] The Head Librarian, Rev. Goma, is professionally trained and maintains a serious, well­ disciplined atmosphere in a new two-story building inaugurated in November, 2003, a gift of the Swedish government together with two Swedish churches that carry on work in the Congo. No books may be taken out of the library for fear of loss. The U.S.A.I.D. program contributed four direct connections to the Internet in 2000, enabling students and faculty to conduct research in the library. These terminals are available from 8 A.M. until closing time at 10 P.M., with stu­dents standing in line for a turn!

German Protestant churches, who receive funding for special projects from their government, participated in the financing of the original campus buildings. A large classroom building was added by this source of funds in 1998. A high concrete wall to protect the campus from thieves, squatters and looters was provided also by the German friends of the university. An additional classroom building has been pledged by this source as well.

By decision of the Board of Trustees in 1995, the North American Liaison Bureau [NALB] was created, headed by a volunteer [non-compensated role in retirement] Ben C. Hobgood, one of the founders of the university during his service as a missionary in the Congo. The N.A.L.B. is recognized by the State of Florida as a non-profit organization, and by the Internal Revenue Service as tax-exempt, having fulfilled the requirements of Section 501(c)(3) of its Code. The Bureau is located at Box 545, Penney Farms, FL 32079. Its telephone and fax number is (904)284-6~43. The e-mail address is: <b.hobgood@juno.com> .This Board, chaired by Dr, Melvin J. Loewen, himself a former Rector of the university, meets annually. Dr. Charles H. Stuart, also a Congo veteran and now a retired professor of African history from Westchester State University in Philadelphia, PA, is Corporate Secretary. The N.A.L.B.'s main role today is the solicitation of funds for the university, mainly for student scholarships. In FY 2002-2003 a total of $138,000 'was raised in the US. and Canada and sent to the campus in Kinshasa. In addition to the original five founding churches, current semi-annual fund drives bring in modest contributions from members of many other churches.

Today in turbulent Democratic Republic of Congo, the Protestant University seems to be one or the few institutions making progress. Contrasted to the unkempt appearance of the fund­ starved government campuses, the U.P.C.'s buildings and grounds look impeccable! Having sur­vived the Simba Rebellion of 1964-65, the Katangese Gendarmes' Mutiny in 1966, and the For­eign Mercenaries' Aggression in 1967, plus the Kinshasa pillages of 1991 and 1993, and more recently the Kabila-led rebellion that overthrew President Mobutu, the U.P.C. holds its head high and moves steadily ahead. Deprived of foreign faculty because of military and security problems, it is proudly led by Congolese faculty and staff, with a Board that is also entirely Congolese. Who could not admire their perseverance in the face of adversity? This is the time to step in and provide the help these courageous, dependable African educators deserve.

Note: This  new UPC English language  Web Site is in process.  The more extensive French version  may be found at <www.uprocongo.cd>  A  summary is found by clicking the  link above on the navigation bar and by clicking:  UPC Francais.htm

This text was prepared and circulated by the North American Liaison Bureau, Inc., which repre­sents the Congo Protestant University in the United States and Canada,

[Ben Hobgood, 6-2005]