Kinshasa, 18 mars 2023 (ACP). – Students from the Catholic University of Congo (UCC) were made aware on Friday by the Canadian Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo, in particular of cultural and linguistic diversity and support for entrepreneurship for women and young people.
« It is within the framework of the 9th of the Francophonie planned this year in Kinshasa, that this morning of exchanges with the students of the UCC is part of the theme “the Francophonie and the promotion of cultural and linguistic diversity in the DRC organized by the Embassy of Canada in the DRC at the UCC said Canadian diplomat Benoît-Pierre Laramée.
The speaker underlined certain values shared by several countries including Canada and the DRC within the Francophonie, namely peace, the French language, dialogue, democracy, human rights, partnerships of interstate cooperation , education, research, equality, entrepreneurship and sustainable development.
To this end, he recalled the areas of intervention of Canada as one of the donors of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF), to promote these different values, welcoming the quality of the contributions of the students at the end of these exchanges, in the run-up to the 9th Games of La Francophonie.
The Canadian diplomat reaffirmed the Canadian government’s commitment to promoting partnership between Congolese and Canadian universities.
In the debates, the students raised issues related to the granting of scholarships, as well as the position of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) on the war in the East.
UCC committed to training to international standards
The rector of the Catholic University of Congo (UCC), Pr Abbé Léonard Santedi, in his speech, welcomed the partnership between his university and those of Canada and other countries of the world to ensure training for students corresponding to the standards international.
« The motto of the UCC being Lumen Super Flumen, this light must radiate through the quality of innovative training, research and the values to be promoted in society “, noted Professor Santedi.
« It was an opportunity for us, through this morning of discussions with the Canadian Embassy, to see how to strengthen partnerships in the areas of research and teaching with Canadian universities, in particular the University of Montreal and Laval University “, he said.
More than 300 million people share the Francophonie
Two videos on the Francophonie were screened during this morning of exchanges, highlighting more than 300 million people in the world who share the Francophonie.
These videos also underlined the OIF’s commitment to promoting the French language, digital technology, solidarity, quality education, women’s rights, support for youth and women’s entrepreneurship, the accompaniment to business incubators, the promotion of creativity.
ACP/ KHM