During her official visit at UCB on February 22, 2020, Mrs. Eliane Banga Lwaboshi, Vice-Minister of Higher and University Education (ESU) officially launched two projects run by the Faculty of Social Sciences: ‘’Capacity Building for Students on HIV-AIDS and gender-based violence and the Creation of a UCB University Radio-Television.

For her first official visit to her home province as Vice-Minister of ESU, Her Excellency Eliane Banga Lwaboshi presided over the official launch ceremonies of two projects this Saturday, February 22, 2020 at the UCB Center of Excellence. These projects are part of the mission of Serving the Community that the University achieves through various activities. These projects are funded respectively by DDC via Swiss Cooperation as well as by the Italian Episcopal Conference through SIGNIS Services Rome. In her speech, she highlighted the epidemiological situation linked to HIV and the recurrent cases of gender-based violence. She urged UCB students to take ownership of these developmental and informative projects in order to help the University better fulfill its vision by serving the society.

Through these projects, the Faculty of Social Sciences in collaboration with experts from the Ministry of Higher and University Education intends to prevent and combat gender-based violence. This program will be implemented in other Universities and Higher Institutes of the Democratic Republic of Congo after its implementation at UCB. As for the radio and TV project financed by SIGNIS Services Rome, it constitutes an educational support for students at the department of Communication. It will pursue the objectives of contributing to consciousness, implementation of peace, communication on human rights, health and protection of the environment. Mrs. Maria Chiara Delorenzo, the Executive Director of SIGNIS Services Rome who was unable to attend, sent a message for the event.

Representing the governor of South-Kivu, the provincial Minister of Education asked all potential research, educational and community partners to associate with UCB. By praising the merits of this University, which is a pride of the province and the country, she focused on the importance of these projects for the building of a modern society. The Rector of UCB, Prof. Kanigula Mubagwa insisted on the UCB strategy to excel in the front lines despite the various challenges encountered by his University. Challenges which the Vice-Minister has promised to overcome through the involvement of the Congolese government.

A painting representing the Congolese woman with a thousand arms and in search of her autonomy was given to the Vice-Minister by the women of UCB. The Vice-Minister was received on Thursday, February 20 at Ihusi port by a great delegation of students including those from UCB, a way of encouraging her in her missions.