American Corner

Ambassador Garvelink with UPC students at the American Corner inauguration

American Corner Opens at the Protestant University of Congo

UPC students use the American Corner

The U.S. Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, William Garvelink, inaugurated the American Corner in Kinshasa on Tuesday, April 2, 2008.  The Kinshasa American Corner is located at the Protestant University of the Congo (UPC).

Ambassador Garvelink and UPC Rector Ngoy Boliya officially cut the red, white and blue ribbon to open the American Corner.  The officials attending the ceremony toured the facility followed by an audience of approximately 150 people.

The opening of this American Corner was greeted enthusiastically by UPC students who are eager to use the resources.  The American Corner offers computers connected to the internet as well as books, CD-ROMs and other resources.  The American Corner is free to all users and is open to the public.

In his inaugural speech, Ambassador Garvelink emphasized that the American Corner is a place that will reinforce relationships between the United States and the Democratic Republic of the Congo by providing the people of Kinshasa an opportunity to know and understand the United States.

A number of officials including the President of the Protestant Church of the Congo, Bishop Marini Bodo, the Rector of the Protestant University, the representative of the Minister of Higher Education, members of parliament, the Burgomaster of the Lingwala Commune, representatives of Kinshasa-based institutions of higher education, as well UPC faculty and students attended the ceremony.

There are more than 100 American Corners worldwide across Africa, Asia, South America and Europe.  There are two American Corners in D.R. Congo, including the American Corner in at the University of Lubumbashi.