University of Goma

The University of Goma (French: Université de Goma, colloquially denoted by its acronym UNIGOM) is a public university strategically situated in Goma, within the North Kivu Province of the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. UNIGOM was established in 1993 as the Centre Universitaire du Nord-Kivu (CUNK) and later elevated to university status in 2005. It offers education primarily in French and aims to provide quality education, conduct research, and serve the community. The university's rector is Muhindo Mughanda.

History
UNIGOM was founded on 17 June 1993, as the Centre Universitaire du Nord-Kivu (CUNK) by the Zairean government under President Mobutu Sese Seko via Ministerial Decision No. ESU/CABMIN/066/93 and became Centre Universitaire Extension de Goma (CUEG) in 1996. Its primary mandate was to disseminate governmental initiatives and inaugurate scholarly initiatives in the North Kivu Province.

Initially, UNIGOM was supervised by the University of Kisangani and embarked on a quest to fulfill its distinct objectives, encompassing the procurement of premises for administrative and academic functions, as well as the identification of suitable human resources. On 15 October 2005, subsequent to phases of development and expansion, the institution attained university status through Ministerial decree n°055/MINESU/CABMIN/RS/2005. This transformative decree heralded the inception of the University of Goma, which accentuated its autonomy and augmented its role in higher education across the region.

Campuses
UNIGOM's has three campuses strategically situated within the city of Goma:


 * Central Campus: Located within the premises of the former boarding school of the Goma Institute.
 * Campus du Lac: Positioned in close proximity to the Cap Kivu Hotel.
 * Hospital Campus: Operating within the buildings of the Goma General Reference Hospital, the Hospital Campus underscores UNIGOM's commitment to healthcare education and research.

Faculties
UNIGOM offers a diverse range of academic options and departments across various faculties, catering to the multidimensional educational needs of its students:


 * Faculty of Medicine: This faculty provides education and training in the field of medicine.
 * Faculty of Legal Sciences: With a specialization in Geology, this faculty offers opportunities for research and practical applications in areas such as mineral exploration, environmental management, and geological hazards mitigation.
 * Faculty of Law: Within this faculty, students can specialize in various branches of law, including Public Internal and International Law, Private and Judicial Law, and Economic and Social Law.
 * Faculty of Agricultural Sciences: Focused on the study of agriculture and its related sciences, this faculty offers programs aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity, sustainability, and innovation, addressing critical challenges in food security and rural development.
 * Faculty of Administrative and Political Social Sciences: This faculty encompasses departments such as Sociology and International Relations, providing students with insights into social dynamics, governance structures, and global affairs.
 * Faculty of Economics and Management: Offering specializations in Rural Economy, Public Economy, and Financial Management, this faculty prepares students for careers in economic analysis, policy-making, and financial decision-making.
 * Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences: Focused on the study of human behavior, cognition, and learning processes, this faculty trains students in psychological theory and educational methodologies.