Université Protestante au Congo (UPC)
Located in Congo's capital Kinshasa
Credit: Mary Sanichas
Rector of Université Protestante au Congo Prof. Robert N'Kwim
Over the past 60+ years Université Protestante au Congo (UPC) has grown from three students to more than 9,000 students and five schools—Economics, Medicine, Law, Computer Science and Theology. It is ranked 4th of the over 48 universities accredited by the Democratic Republic of Congo's Ministry of Higher and University Education. Though founded as a Protestant university, UPC's students come from diverse backgrounds.
The university has endured civil war, famine and collapsing economies, forcing multiple relocations—but it endures, and UPC is producing leaders to build a nation.
Women represent more than half of the student population at UPC. In the past two decades, female students have risen from around 25% to over 55% of the student body at UPC. The inclusion of women is critical to the economic growth and sustainability of a society.
In 2023, one of UPC’s graduates, Dr. Fatuma Ngongo Kilongo, was named the first female rector (president) of Université Evangélique en Afrique, the university Education Congo supports in Eastern Congo!
Scholarship recipient
Grace Banza Ilunga,
Management student
“Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it, possibly without claiming it, she stands up for all women.”
—Maya Angelou
A graduate of Université Protestante au Congo, Dr. Fatuma Ngongo Kilongo, is the first woman rector of Université Evangélique en Afrique.
Université Evangélique en Afrique (UEA)
Located in Bukavu, a conflict zone in Eastern Congo
Université Evangélique en Afrique (UEA) offers degrees in Agronomy & Environment, Medicine & Community Health, Economic Science & Business Administration, Social Sciences and Theology.
UEA is ranked 5th of 48 universities accredited by the Democratic Republic of Congo's Ministry of Higher and University Education.
UEA's collaborations with both local and international partners enhance its comprehensive education and contemporary approach to scientific research. UEA's medical school interns train at Panzi Hospital, also in Bukavu.
“Dear Congolese compatriots, let us have the courage to take our destiny in our own hands. Let us build peace, build our country’s future, and together build a better future for Africa. No one else will do it for us."
—from Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech by Dr. Denis Mukwege
Université Evangélique en Afrique’s medical faculty includes Dr. Denis Mukwege, author of The Power of Women. He is the founder of Panzi Hospital and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in December 2018 and 2024 recipient of the Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity. His work with rape and sexual violence victims in Eastern Congo has led to a worldwide outcry against conflict-related atrocities against women.
In 2024 Ukraine sent a delegation to Panzi Hospital to learn how to help survivors of the sexual violence being used as a tool of war in their country.