Free University of the Great Lakes Countries

The establishment of ULPGL's lineage traces back to the collaborative endeavors of six Protestant ecclesiastical communities, including two Baptist entities (Communauté Baptiste au Centre de l'Afrique; CBCA and Communauté des Églises Baptistes du Congo-Est; CEBCE), two Pentecostal congregations (Communauté des Églises Libres de Pentecôte; CELPA and Communauté Assemblée de Dieu à l'Est du Congo; CADAF), one Anglican denomination (Afrique and Église Anglicane du Congo; EAC), and one Methodist association (CLMC). This pivotal juncture heralded the university's expansive educational scope, incorporating the Faculty of Protestant Theology and Faculty of Law. == Campuses ==

The ULPGL has three campuses in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Goma, Bukavu, and Butembo. ULPGL-Goma Goma hosts two campuses of ULPGL: Moïse and Salomon. The Moïse Campus, comprising the Faculty of Theology, student residences, and scholarly lodgings for professors, was erected by MEU, while CPFP from Hamburg, facilitated the development of the Salomon Campus, housing faculties such as Law, Economics, Science of Education, and accommodations for male students and visiting professors. ULPGL-Butembo In Butembo, ULPGL operates four faculties: Theology, Economic and Management Sciences, Community Health and Development, and Psychology and Educational Sciences. Building projects are currently in progress on two sites, one situated in Makoma, Katwa, and the other in Kinyatsi, to expand the university's academic programs and facilities. == Governance and organization ==

The ULPGL is governed by a combination of its Board of Directors, a university council, a scientific council, and a management committee led by a Rector. The university is organized around six faculties: Theology The Faculty of Theology aims to critically examine contemporary societal values and norms from a Christian perspective. It offers intellectual and moral training while contributing to the spiritual fulfillment of the community. Through services like the Chaplaincy and the Polyvalent Center for Vocational Training (Centre Polyvalent pour la Formation Professionnelle; CPFP), the faculty provides diverse educational avenues. Law With a mission to combat legal underdevelopment and ignorance of the law within the community, the Faculty of Law undertakes research, hosts consultation frameworks, and operates programs like the Legal Clinic for the Protection of Victims of Sexual Violence. These initiatives aim to promote human rights and facilitate legal assistance for vulnerable individuals. Economic Sciences and Management This faculty supports local development initiatives by providing technical support and training people capable of creating and managing businesses sustainably. Through actions such as supporting cooperatives, microfinance, and offering professional IT training via the Computer and Business Management Center (Centre Informatique et de Management des Entreprises; CIME). Health and Community Development Focused on equipping learners with the knowledge and skills to improve community health and integral development, Faculty of Health and Community Development fosters partnerships with communities and implements projects such as education on malaria prevention and evaluating social reintegration programs. Psychology and Educational Sciences Trains educators and administrators, conducts research for educational improvement, and offers services to enhance learning quality. Science and Applied Technology This faculty provides technical support for local development initiatives and trains individuals to introduce appropriate technologies while considering ecological preservation. It aims to empower people to implement sustainable development practices in their environment. == Academics ==

Educational institutions , commune of Goma.|left EMP Kauta EMP Kauta is a prominent nursery and primary school named after one of the first CBCA pastors in the city. Initially, it only catered to the children of married ISTP students, but its stellar reputation has drawn students from all over the city. Founded at the initiative of Prof. Samuel Ngayohembako, then ULPGL's rector, the institution was conceived as a preparatory school for university education and as a model facility for the Faculty of Education. At its inception, the school operated with four classes, comprising three first-year sections enrolling 88 students and one second-year section with 37 students. Over time, the institution expanded progressively, adding new classes each academic year. By 2024, it had grown to encompass 25 classes, distributed across five academic sections: Commerce and Management, Literary Studies, Pedagogy, Science, and Construction. It offers four academic tracks: Commercial and Administrative, Chemistry–Biology, Latin–Philosophy, and General Pedagogy. Research centers • Polyvalent Center for Vocational Training (Centre Polyvalent pour la Formation Professionnelle; CPFP) • The Center for Computer Science and Business Management (Centre Informatique et de Management des Entreprises; CIME) • The African Center for Research and Education for Peace and Democracy (''Centre Africain de Recherche et d'Education à la Paix et à la Démocratie''; CAREPD) • Legal Clinic • University Hospital Center (University Dispensary) Library The ULPGL has a library with approximately 10,000 books and five scientific journals, including The Bulletin of Theological and Sociological Research (Le Bulletin de Recherches Théologiques et Sociologiques; BRTS), ''L'Analyste Topique, The Annals of the Faculty of Law'', the database of the Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences, and the database of the Faculty of Health and Community Development, as well as a Research Ethics Committee. == See also ==