UCBC

Infobox_University
name = Christian Bilingual University of Congo
native_name = Univerité Chrétienne Bilingue du Congo (UCBC)
latin_name =


motto = Love, Work, Faithfulness
established = 2006
type =
endowment =
staff =
faculty = David Kasali, Kaswera Kasali, Honore Bunduki, Justin Hubbard, Heather Wright, Eric Pederson
president =
provost =
principal =
rector = David Kasali
chancellor =
vice_chancellor =
dean = Honore Bunduki
head_label =
head =
students = 83
undergrad =
postgrad =
doctoral =
city = Beni

state =
country = Democratic Republic of Congo
campus =
free_label =
free =
colors =
colours =
mascot =
nickname =UCBC
affiliations =Congo Initiative
website =http://congoinitiative.org

UCBC (Universite Chretienne Bilingue du Congo) is a Christian Bilingual University in the town of Beni, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

UCBC has the opportunity to influence the future of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by training committed graduates who are academically high in quality, contextually trained, and ethically sound. Our focus in being bilingual, using both French and English as languages of instruction; Christian, upholding moral and social values; triadic, combining academics, work and community service; and holistic, developing programs that address real life issues in church and society, have made UCBC a fresh and unique life and hope giving institution in the current needy context of DRC. UCBC is also attractive to the people of Congo for the 21st century because DRC traditional educational system has tended to uproot graduates from their communities and to alienate them from the people they are supposed to serve. We are committed to being holistic and caretakers of people and land; we are committed to community interaction and transformation, and to developing committed and compassionate leaders and individuals for the rebuilding of a nation that is emerging from years of conflicts (Second Congo War) and mismanagement.

Organization

UCBC is part of the Congo Initiative (CI-UCBC).

Objective

To promote excellence in academic training rooted in Christian, transformational and contextual values in order to train true agents of change who will impact the future of DRC; that are:

1 To train men and women up to the post graduate level in the dynamic “TRIAD” of academics-work-service where there is combination of thought, emotion and action in order to transform the society and the environment of DRC through leadership role modeling;

2 To teach, retrain and equip the academic as well as para-academic teachers and staff as leaders who will model leadership values and skills for the community and society at large.

3To provide adequate educational and training infrastructures and resources for excellent education and quality services.

TRIAD

The triadic training provides an opportunity for learners (1) to reflect on the meaning and value of work and service to others as an intellectual and Christian obligation; (2) the end result will be graduates who are intellectually sound, love to work, and are committed to serve others and to transform their communities.

"In Academics:" We strive for academic excellence. Our program provides the foundation for relating education to real life experience.

"In Work Learning Program:" Through the “WLP” students develop practical skills, time management, and teamwork necessary for life and work after graduation. Every student contributes and works with others, thus creating a sense of respect and a spirit of community. For now, all students work two hours per week due to the walk distance.

"Service Learning Program:" During their years of education, students will use the SLP knowledge gained from their classes and skills from work experience to serve the wider community. Service performed will help students define and understand their role as agents of social change and social justice. The combination of academics, work and service takes students from classroom to the field and to the wider community as agents of transformation. This is a “Just Noticeable Difference” in the system of education that is bringing about significant change of mentality.

Description of Educational Activities

Preparatory Year

CI/UCBC aligns Preparatory year with its academic program. The curriculum focuses on teaching English as means of communication and medium of instruction; computer skills are taught to bring students into the modern world of computer literacy for research and communication; general courses, work methodology and CI-UCBC philosophy and values are also taught to prepare students for studies at UCBC. The preparatory year provides an opportunity for students, staff and faculty members to be molded together in the initiation of becoming agents of transformation for the neighboring community and for the world at large. This preparation is foundational for all that CI-UCBC strives to be and to do.

Faculty Departments

Faculty of Arts: English and Civilizations

Our country the Democratic Republic of Congo has gone through decades of war and ethnic conflicts. Now it is time to rebuild this country which has been deeply touched by the social, political and economical calamities. And so, people with a good knowledge in language, literature and culture are needed in the realm of diplomacy and international relationships. Also they will study civilizations that bring them back to history. People without history are people who ignore themselves and they are doomed to decline.

Faculty of Economic Sciences: Department of Management and Computerized Accounting and the Department of Management and Business Administration

With the advent of globalization the world has become a small village and also the flow and quantity of information that circulates daily has drastically increased. In such a world it is evident that competition in business and economic field becomes a huge challenge to nations that do not have access to the tools of the modern technology among which we have the computer. So, UCBC targets to provide training in accounting doubled with the use of computer sciences in the field. This will have the advantage to speed on the processing of data in companies and organizations and to keep them up to date with the new trends through the use of the internet.

Faculty of Theology: Department of Ethics and Leadership Development

Our country the Democratic Republic of Congo is subjected to a serious moral and ethical crisis after several years of dictatorship and war. We have to meet the challenge of offering a new type of biblically based values through the training of leaders who are transformed and ready to be agents of transformation. Yet, to become an efficient leader takes time and courage. Our country needs strong leaders, men and women who will take the lead of our communities, organizations, associations and institutions to give a better future full of hope for this beautiful country. The Ethics and Leadership Development Department will help students who take classes in it to:"Define right objectives for our society, Strategize on how they can be implemented Assess the results that will be obtained." This program will also focus on the process of decision making, power and influence, change of behavior, organizational changes and personal styles of negotiation, and how to start up and nourish relationships for much significant result. Leaders who will be trained in that context will be well equipped to respond to the need of coaching others and impacting the society with a new alternative of moral values in the execution of their plans.

Faculty of Applied Sciences: Department of Computer Science, Engineering, and Agriculture

During the consultation organized by CI-UCBC in October 2007, it clearly appeared that in this time of reconstruction our country the Democratic Republic of Congo needs technicians and engineers who are well trained and able to implement their skills to take over from the old generation that has brought us into ruin. Several trumpet blasts are heard from within as well as from without to encourage Congolese to take their future in hand through the transformation of their environment. God has blessed our country with tremendous wealth: it is all green throughout the year. It rains almost from January to December which provides a golden opportunity for intensive farm work. Also the soil is full with precious stones and other things. We need sons and daughters of this country who will stand and begin to subdue this environment and beautify it to make this country become what the Lord wants it to be: a country where people will find solutions to their problems and they will work hand in hand to lower the suffering of all and boost lives of one another.

Faculty of Communication Sciences: Department of Journalism, Multimedia and Communication

There is more information in one newspaper today than there was in a library a century ago. With globalization we are getting right into the heart of postmodernism and the Democratic Republic of Congo needs to be equally prepared to respond to the challenge of being updated as far as information is concerned. The faculty of communication sciences will train professionals of communication and information who will also be agents of God’s Kingdom where ever they go.

Future Building Plans