MESSAGE OF RECTOR, Dr. David KASALI (Graduation 2013): GO FORTH, BUT NEVER FORGET WHERE YOU COME FROM

                                Dr David M. KASALI

It’s with great joy that I take this opportunity to congratulate you, our graduates of the 2012-13 academic year and to thank families and friends who have come to share the joy of your accomplishments that we celebrate today.  I thank God for you, our dedicated staff, faculty and partners. Your tireless efforts and commitment to UCBC’s vision, values and innovative approach have made this university what it is today. UCBC is truly a university of the future, committed to innovation for transformation.

This graduation is special and unique: for the first time UCBC is graduating students with LMD and PADEM Licence. As we release you today to serve in the world and specifically to serve Congo, my word to you, our graduates, is:

We have sufficiently and wholeheartedly trained you, now go forth with courage and confidence; but never forget where you come from.

Go Forth with Courage and Confidence: Facing the world outside there, being employed in businesses, politics, NGOs, etc, you will quickly realize that it's a different world from that which you have experienced at UCBC. It’s a world where the tyranny of our culture wants you to believe that wealth, power and social status will bring you happiness and satisfaction. Exploitation and abuses of all types, social evils, the world of spirits are the order of the day. This is simply not true. So, do not forget where you come from.

Never Forget where you Come From: You are and will always be proud graduates of UCBC. Your life motto is: Being Transformed to Transform. Let the example of Jesus carry you through:

Just as the son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (Matt. 20.28).

I beg you to remain dedicated to the values and teachings you have received. Commit yourself to God, to your family, to personal integrity, to hard work, to compassion and to visions that are bigger than yourself.  That's what you have been taught at UCBC.

Therefore go forth with courage and confidence, but never forget where you come from!