Université Pédagogique Nationale

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]

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]

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, President Tshisekedi presided over the opening of two newly built and renovated UPN residence buildings: a six-story structure for male students containing 70 rooms spread across six floors, and a second three-story building.^[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]

The Application School serves as a practical training facility for students enrolled in education programs and includes 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] It enables UPN students to gain hands-on teaching experience, allowing them to apply and test educational theories under supervision in real classroom settings.^[29]

UPN introduces professional practice during the second and first undergraduate years, followed by internships in the third and second years.^[29] This approach promotes interaction between UPN and the national education system, as veteran teachers help refine teaching methods and remain engaged and motivated for advancement.^[29]

The Reception and Guidance Service provides psychological consultations, academic counseling, and advice on programs and specializations to help students manage learning obstacles and adjustment concerns.^[29] Its objectives include assisting in academic decision-making, providing details about educational programs, addressing maladjustment at school, and helping with the transition to university. It caters to students from preschool through higher education.^[29]

The Central Library contains a vast 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]

Formed in 1990 after the weakening of the country's economic system, the Association of Scientific Executives acts as a professional union for teaching and research staff. Beyond its social support, covering illness, death, or publication support, the association focuses on protecting the rights and interests of its members, including professors, assistants, and heads of practical work.^[29] It is funded through member contributions deducted from salaries, with amounts determined by the general assembly.^[29] The leadership structure consists of a president, secretary, assistant secretary, treasurer, and assistant treasurer, assisted by advisers and auditors, all elected for one-year renewable terms.^[29]

UPN carries out individual and collaborative research, primarily oriented toward pedagogy and academic publication across diverse disciplines.^[29] Among its principal research entities is the Centre de Recherche Interdisciplinaire de l'Université Pédagogique Nationale (CRIDUPN), established in 2013 to foster socio-economic engagement and support the university's academic advancement. CRIDUPN also facilitates the global visibility of UPN's research by providing online access to scholarly work.^[29] Other major centers include the Centre de Promotion des Interventions Socio-économiques Père Hardy pour le Développement de l'UPN (CEPRISE-PHD-UPN), which specializes in applied socio-economic development, and the Centre de Recherche et d'Étude pour le Développement de l'Éducation (CREDE), devoted to promoting educational innovation and research.^[29]

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

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]

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]