DRC minister advocates for constitution supporting science and innovation

Marie-Thérèse Sombo, the Democratic Republic of Congo's Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation, is calling for a constitutional overhaul to prioritize science and innovation. Speaking at the closing of a national scientific colloquium evaluating the 2006 constitution, Sombo argued that the current legal framework is inadequate for the nation's scientific and educational advancement.

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No nation develops without science, and no science prospers without a constitution that protects it.

"No nation develops without science, and no science prospers without a constitution that protects it," Sombo stated, emphasizing the critical role of science in national development. She believes the 2006 constitution, while a foundation, does not fully address the demands of a knowledge-based global economy. A key criticism is the lack of clear differentiation between higher education and primary or secondary schooling within the constitution. Furthermore, Sombo lamented the absence of explicit mention of innovation, a crucial element for national competitiveness.

Another significant concern raised by the minister is the excessive concentration of power in Kinshasa. Sombo contends that this centralization limits the ability of universities and research institutions throughout the DRC to operate autonomously and develop independently. She specifically highlighted the deficit in constitutional autonomy for Congolese universities, stating, "Universities are without constitutional autonomy, and science does not truly have its place." This lack of autonomy, she explained, impedes the university system's capacity to innovate, adapt to market needs, and generate knowledge vital for national progress.

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The 2006 Constitution is a basis for us, but it is insufficient because it does not distinguish higher education from primary or secondary education.

Sombo pointed to specific constitutional articles, such as Article 43 (which guarantees the right to education and free primary schooling but omits higher education), Article 45 (which generally addresses access to national education), and Article 46 (which touches on scientific research freedom and intellectual property), as examples of provisions that are too limited in scope. She advocates for a revised constitutional framework that explicitly supports and protects scientific research and higher education, fostering a more robust and innovative future for the DRC.

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Universities are without constitutional autonomy, and science does not truly have its place.