# Université libre du Congo (Kisangani)

> former University of Kisangani, Congo

**Wikidata**: [Q21531083](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q21531083)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/universite-libre-du-congo-kisangani

## Summary
Université libre du Congo (Kisangani) was a university located in Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo, founded in 1963 and dissolved in 1971 when it merged to form the National University of Zaire. It was an academic institution offering higher education before this national restructuring.

## Key Facts
- **Founded:** 1963
- **Dissolved/Abolished:** 1971
- **Headquarters:** Kisangani
- **Country:** Democratic Republic of the Congo
- **Instance of:** university
- **Followed by:** National University of Zaire (1971-81)
- **ISNI:** 0000000121892552
- **GND ID:** 1019974-3
- **VIAF ID:** 154407630
- **Aliases:** Free University of the Congo, Former university of Kisangani, Congo

## FAQs
### Q: What was Université libre du Congo (Kisangani)?
A: It was a university established in Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo, in 1963. It operated as an independent institution of higher learning until 1971.

### Q: When did Université libre du Congo (Kisangani) operate?
A: The university operated for eight years, from its founding in 1963 until its dissolution in 1971.

### Q: What happened to Université libre du Congo (Kisangani)?
A: In 1971, it merged with Lovanium University in Kinshasa and the official University of Congo (Lubumbashi) to form the National University of Zaire.

## Why It Matters
Université libre du Congo (Kisangani) represents a significant phase in the development of higher education in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire). Established shortly after independence, it provided localized higher education opportunities in the region of Kisangani. Its dissolution in 1971 was part of a major national consolidation effort under Mobutu Sese Seko's regime, which aimed to create a single, state-controlled university system. This merger fundamentally altered the landscape of Congolese higher education, centralizing resources and administration under the National University of Zaire, and marked the end of this specific regional academic institution.

## Notable For
- Being a distinct regional university in Kisangani founded before the national consolidation of 1971.
- Its dissolution and merger to form the National University of Zaire in 1971.
- Operation as an independent academic institution for only eight years (1963-1971).

## Body
### Background
- Université libre du Congo (Kisangani) was a university headquartered in Kisangani.
- It was located in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
- The institution was classified as a university (`instance_of: university`).

### Merger and Dissolution
- The university was dissolved or abolished in 1971.
- It ceased operations following a merger orchestrated in 1971.
- This merger involved combining Université libre du Congo (Kisangani) with Lovanium University in Kinshasa and the official University of Congo (Lubumbashi).
- The purpose of this merger was to create the National University of Zaire.

### Legacy and Successor
- The direct successor institution formed from the merger was the National University of Zaire.
- The National University of Zaire operated from 1971 to 1981.
- This successor institution was also located in Zaire.
- Université libre du Congo (Kisangani) is referred to in sources as a "former university" and the "former University of Kisangani, Congo".

### Identifiers
- International Standard Name Identifier (ISNI): 0000000121892552
- Gemeinsame Normdatei (GND) ID: 1019974-3
- Virtual International Authority File (VIAF) ID: 154407630
- Bibliothèque nationale de France ID: 12005250r
- Library of Congress Authority ID: n79097458
- Libraries Australia ID: 35572574
- Canadiana Authorities ID (former scheme): 0007K5443
- Idref ID: 028162757
- Yale Lux ID: group/47ccd623-6f71-4ff6-b348-b1029d728e88

### Aliases
- Free University of the Congo
- Former university of Kisangani
- Congo (used contextually to refer to its location/state at the time)