After landing at Luano airport, the guests received a warm and fraternal welcome in the Salesian house at the Theological Studentate, home of the Faculty of Theology. On the first day, in addition to the various words of welcome and best wishes for their stay, the series of talks also included a message from Fr Bozzolo. Offering the thought of the Salesian "goodnight" to the Salesian students of theology and their teachers, he explained hos the UPS functions, and what his role as Rector was all about.
On the morning of Friday 16th, Fr Bozzolo presided at the Eucharist in the community chapel, followed by a meeting with a large representation of the teaching staff. Then, on the basis of an initiative already planned on the theme of synodality, he spoke to the students of Theology in an address entitled: "For a synodal Church: communion, participation and mission". The Rector Magnificus of the UPS also recalled the characteristics of a Theological Faculty, which has the duty not only to think about but also to propagate the faith, in compliance with the rules that bind it to the State.
In the afternoon, the two academic authorities of the UPS went to St John Bosco postnovitiate in Kansebula, located about 17 km from the city of Lubumbashi, for the same purpose, namely, to meet some professors and students from the Faculty of Human and Social Sciences – formerly known as the Higher Institute of Philosophy.
On Saturday, Frs Bozzolo and Rochowiak visited the community at Salama, where the current temporary headquarters of the Don Bosco University Lubumbashi are located, and had the opportunity to meet with numerous students from the Faculty of Computer Science. Then, with the administrative staff, they discussed the complex management of the affiliation of the two ecclesiastical faculties of Lubumbashi to the UPS. In fact, while the Faculty of Theology has enjoyed the privileges of Higher Institutes linked to the UPS for several years, the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences is still awaiting official recognition and standardisation, which should arrive following the status changes due to the new Don Bosco University.
Finally, the three-day visit ended with a stop at the Faculty of Management and Financial Engineering, located on the grounds of the Saint François de Sales Institute in Imara, for a moment of fraternal agape and exchange of best wishes for the future.
https://www.infoans.org/en/component/k2/item/20322-democratic-republic-of-the-congo-ups-authority-visits-don-bosco-university-in-lubumbashi#sigProIdda78d927e8
