by: Michele Vollaro | March 29, 2024
Seventeen years after the initial announcement, construction work finally began this week on the University of Mouila, Gabon. According to local media reports, this project was relaunched as part of the National Transition Development Plan implemented by the Committee for Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI). The ceremony saw the presence of numerous personalities, including the ministers of Higher Education and Public Works, the governor of the province of Ngounié and the special delegate in charge of the municipality of Mouila.
Launched more than 17 years ago, the university project in Mouila remained on hold until CTRI’s recent decision to resume it, marking the importance given to training and higher education in the country, as well as the development of inland areas.
The construction of the University of Mouila was announced in 2007, but seemed to have been overshadowed by the regime of Ali Bongo, successor of Omar Bongo in 2009. Only this year, under the leadership of the President of the transition, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, the initiative was relaunched, marking a significant turning point for the development of higher education in this region of the country, which lacks large schools and higher education institutions.
The construction of this university should limit the rural exodus and contribute to the development of the city and the province as a whole. The construction follows General Brice Clotaire Oligui’s recent visit to Ngounié province and is part of his vision to provide optimal local learning conditions by equipping the community with infrastructure and qualified personnel.
The government announced in 2007 the creation of three new universities in the country, including those of Mouila, Port-Gentil and Oyem. The University of Mouila should include public institutes of a scientific, cultural, technological and professional nature, including the Higher Institute of Hospitality and Tourism Professions and the École d’architecture et d’urbanisme, as well as large schools and laboratories. With the restart of these projects, CTRI aims to significantly increase the capacity to accommodate students, offering at least 10,000 additional places and thus promoting access to higher education in the country.
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