Université Pédagogique Nationale

The Institut Pédagogique National (IPN) was created by Ordinance No. 73 of September 22, 1961, to address the shortage of teachers caused by the departure of Belgian teachers during the Congo Crisis.[4][3][5] The Congolese government recruited expatriate teachers with the help of UNESCO to train qualified teachers for secondary education.[5][4] The institute opened its doors on October 8, 1961,[4] and launched the Ecole Normale Moyenne Pilote (ENMP) for training science graduates for lower secondary education on October 25.[6] On December 6, 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.[4][7] Through Ordinance Law n°71-075 of August 6, 1971, the IPN became part of the National University of Zaire (Université nationale du Zaïre; UNAZA), encompassing university campuses and higher technical institutes.[8][9][10]

From the reform that concluded the UNAZA era until the 2003–2004 academic year, the IPN was governed by Ordinance Law n°18-145 of October 3, 1981. By decree n°05/007 of February 23, 2005, the IPN became a public institution and was named the Université Pédagogique Nationale by then-President Joseph Kabila. It became the second public university in Kinshasa.[11]

In April 2022, the Minister of Higher and University Education (Enseignement Supérieur et Universitaire; ESU), Muhindo Nzangi, inaugurated construction and rehabilitation works at the UPN.[12] The work is projected to span three years, during which the university will undergo modernization, addressing issues related to the shortage of auditoriums, student housing, and administrative offices.[12]

• Juliette Mbambu Mughole[13][14]
• André Kimbuta
• Richard Muyej
• Zacharie Bababaswe[15]

4.404°S 15.258°E / -4.404; 15.258