University of Comoros’ Anniversary

The University of Comoros celebrates this week the 20th anniversary of its foundation. It was in August 2003 when President Azali Assoumani decreed the creation of this institution of higher education commonly known as UDC (Université des Comores). Some events were respectively organized in the campus of Wanani in Mohéli and the Patsy site of Anjouan. It’s the turn of Grande Comore where many schools and faculties are located to celebrate the event this Thursday, 23rd December 2023 at the People’s Palace of Hamramba in Moroni. The weather was incredibly fine that morning despite some rain shower in the afternoon. History The University of Comoros was founded in September 2003 by the merger of some public institutions of higher education set up in the 1980s and 1990s: the National School of Higher Education (ENES), the National School of Administration and Commerce (ENAC), the Teachers’ Training Institute and Research in Education (IFERE), the Institute of Higher Education and Retraining (ISFR), the National Health School and the Faculty of Arabic and Islamic studies (known as Imam shaafeen Faculty). The university number was 1,250 students in 2003. Two decades later, the number of students has increased ten times and reached 13,281 people. Female students represent 52% of the total. The state university employs only 305 professors and staff members in nine (09) schools, faculties and institutes in the islands of the archipelago. The only public college of the country welcomes more than 70% of the new baccalaureate graduates each year. Insight and missions According to the University of Comoros’ prospectus, the public institution aims to become a reference institution of higher education in the Indian Ocean zone by the development of knowledge, innovation and the mastery of sciences and technologies serving the real needs of the socioeconomic development of the country. Its mission is not only training people in the fields of humanities, science and technology, but also to shape citizens capable and responsible to contribute to the social cohesion and to the change the country needs for its social well-being. The morning workshops Professors, students and experts were invited to attend and participate in four different workshops: shared perspectives on the 20 years of the institution, current changes with the medical school, university funding and the international partnership. Each workshop was honored by the visit of Azali Assoumani, head of state and current president of the African Union. Each team had to brainstorm all day and came up with some solutions and proposals. The restitution of the works by the rapporteur of each workshop at the end of the day was summarized by Ibouroi Ali Toibibou, the provisional administrator and acting president of the University of Comoros during a presentation before the audience including the government at 4pm. The projects selected in the workshops include the teaching of the Comorian language at the University of Comoros, the creation of some doctoral schools including the school of medicine, application of several conventions signed between the Comorian government and its development partners. Last but not least, the public university should be able to have a balanced budget by increasing the students’ tuitions and fees, selling and acquiring expertise activities in many fields where professors, trainee students and staff members may succeed as consultants. The afternoon activities Many speeches were given in the afternoon. Said abubakar is the current Mufti of the Republic of Comoros. He was not there to interpret some verses of the holy Koran read in front of the public. He focused his speech on the importance of education. He gives the example of Japan where teachers are honored and well-paid like ministers. A parent representative and great notable also had his say. “All my offspring have been trained at this university before pursuing their studies abroad. We must be confident of what we have. It probably costs the earth to send a single student abroad. So, let’s increase the tuitions and fees to allow our students to get a good education,” he asserted. A female student representing her classmates and student’s government was able to utter some words. “On behalf of my classmates, we are grateful Mr. President for what you did for our country. By founding the University of Comoros, you give the chance for everyone to get a college education,” she said. The minister of Education, Dr. Takiddine Youssouf thanked the public for coming to celebrate together the 20th anniversary of the public university. He reminded the audience some history facts. ‘‘There were only 77 primary schools, 4 middle schools and 2 high schools before the independence of Comoros in 1975. Today, the university is surely the foundation of the completion of our territorial integrity,’’ said the minister boastfully. Before starting his address, President Azali took the opportunity to pay tribute to the former Mufti Said Toihir Ahmed Maulana, the founder of Imam Shaffeen faculty of Arabic and Islamic studies who passed away three years ago. President Azali is the founding father of the University of Comoros. He was grateful and thrilled to be honored by the presence in the ceremony of Damir Ben Ali, the first sole administrator of the state university from 2003 to 2006. ‘‘When I set up the university, I increased the price of the popular rice in order to back its administration and management. The tax was designed to support its operating costs,’’ the president said. ‘‘Take the example of a 16 year-old baccalaureate graduate who should leave his country to study abroad. He risks having a cultural shock. My own daughter started her studies at the University of Comoros before continuing her studies with brilliance abroad,’’ he proudly said. The president thinks that this institution of higher education is a kind of sanctum and protection for our young students before venturing overseas. He promises to boost state subsidies and demands that good governance and management should prevail at the only one public university of the country. After the event wrapped up, a traditional folkdance was performed by women from the island of Anjouan. Chami Mouzawar, contributing writer