Haute École de Commerce de Kinshasa
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- Ecole Supérieure de Commerce (1964–1978)
- Institut Supérieur de Commerce de Kinshasa (1978–2023)
Former name |
|
|---|---|
| Type | Public, state funded university |
| Established | 1964 |
| Founder | Catholic Mission of Scheut and Father Gaston Bogaert[1] |
| Students | 29,971 (2023–2024)[2] |
| Location | Avenue de la Déliberation, Gombe, Kinshasa |
| Campus | Urban |
| Website | https://heckin.ac.cd/ |
The Haute École de Commerce de Kinshasa (commonly abbreviated as HEC-Kin),[3][4][5] formerly known as Institut Supérieur de Commerce de Kinshasa (ISC-Kin), is a public technical university strategically located on Avenue de la Déliberation in the Batetela neighborhood of Gombe, Kinshasa.[6][7] Specializing in commerce and related disciplines, the institution focuses on training professionals in commercial, technical, accounting, and computer science fields to support national development.[8][3] Its academic programs comprise general education courses, specialized technical and commercial training, and advanced courses tailored to each area of specialization.[8]
Established in 1964 as the École Supérieure de Commerce under the initiative of Father Gaston Bogaert and the Scheut Fathers, the institution has evolved into one of Kinshasa's largest higher education centers, spanning a six-hectare campus and hosting an enrollment of approximately 29,971 students for the 2023–2024 academic year.[7][9]
HEC-Kin is known for its comprehensive facilities, including academic buildings, a library, student residences, and recreational spaces such as a football field and basketball court.[7] The university operates under the governance of Ordinance Law No. 71-075, promulgated on 6 August 1971, and is supported by a workforce comprising administrative and technical personnel.[7]
The origins of Haute École de Commerce de Kinshasa trace back to the foundation of the Higher School of Commerce (École Supérieure de Commerce; ESC) in 1964.[8] Initiated by the Catholic Scheut Mission, under the guidance of Father Gaston Bogaert, the ESC was conceived to address the urgent need for trained middle managers in the commercial, banking, and industrial sectors.[8] The creation of the ESC marked the culmination of a project envisioned in 1958, which had been delayed due to administrative challenges.[8]
In its early years, the ESC lacked dedicated facilities and operated out of the buildings of the Technical and Commercial Institute of Limete (Institut Technique et Commercial de Limete, formerly known as Collège Saint Raphael).[8] Between 1964 and 1966, the ESC functioned as a private institution before receiving provisional accreditation on 8 June 1966, through a decision by the Ministry of National Education and Cultural Affairs.[8] The academic offerings began with a singular commercial and financial section, later augmented by a commercial and consular section in 1968, though this addition was short-lived.[8]
In 1970, the ESC introduced a management secretariat section to provide capacity-level training.[8] In 1971, amidst nationwide student movements, the Congolese government restructured higher education, merging various institutions into the National University of Zaire (UNAZA) through Ordinance No. 71-075 of 6 August 1971.[8] As part of this reform, the ESC transitioned from Limete to occupy the premises of the former National School of Law and Administration (École Nationale de Droit et d'Administration; ENDA). In 1974, a computer science section was incorporated into the curriculum.[8]
In 1978, the ESC was renamed the Higher Institute of Commerce (Institut Supérieur de Commerce; ISC).[8] The reforms of 1981, enacted through Ordinance No. 81-158 of 7 October 1981, conferred full autonomy upon the ISC, establishing its legal personality.[8] The institution progressively expanded its academic repertoire, introducing a bachelor's degree section (2nd Cycle) in 1996 under Ministerial Decree No. ESU/CABMIN/0728 and elevating the management secretariat section to a graduate-level program through Ministerial Decree No. ESU/CABMIN/0729.[6]
On 13 November 2023, during the ceremonial inauguration of the 2023–2024 academic year, the Minister of Higher and University Education formally renamed the ISC as the High School of Commerce of Kinshasa (Haute École de Commerce de Kinshasa; HEC-Kin).[3][4]