The Embassy of the DRC in China honors academic excellence and encourages Congolese elites to contribute to national development

BEIJING, July 17, 2026

The Embassy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in the People's Republic of China organized, on Tuesday, July 14, at its Chancellery, the award ceremony for the second edition of the Ambassador's Academic Excellence Award, established in 2025 by His Excellency Mr. François Balumuene, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in China, to promote academic excellence and highlight Congolese skills trained in Chinese universities.

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Presided over by His Excellency Mr. François Balumuene, the ceremony brought together the Embassy staff members, representatives of the Congolese student community, as well as several guests.

Eight new doctors selected and honored

For this second edition, a call for applications has been launched for new Congolese doctors (PhD) who have recently graduated from Chinese universities.

Following the evaluation of the applications, conducted in accordance with the eligibility criteria established by the organizing committee, eight new doctors have been selected and recognized for the excellence of their academic achievements, the quality of their research work, and their contribution to the influence of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in scientific circles.

The winners of this second edition are:

- Dr Eric Kambale Tsongo, Doctor in International Relations (Central China Normal University);
- Dr Benjamin Manda Kisimba, Doctor of Education (Beijing Normal University);
- Dr Didier Lombo Baluma, PhD in Wildlife Conservation and Protected Area Management (Northeast Forestry University);
- Dr Anthony Omombo Mungombo, Doctor in International Relations (Central China Normal University);
- Dr. Irene Belanta Makuma, Doctor of Applied Psychology (Central China Normal University);
- Dr. Lina Tokuna Mulalapele, Doctor in Animal Nutrition and Food Sciences (Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences);
- Dr. Rub'son N'nahano-Ruhindwa Héritier, Doctor in Geological Resources and Geological Engineering (Central South University);
- Dr. Clémence Bukatuka Futila, Doctor in Biomedical Engineering (Huazhong University of Science and Technology).

Among these eight laureates, three were present at the ceremony held at the Embassy in Beijing, where they received their awards from His Excellency Mr. François Balumuene. The other five, unable to make the trip, remain the official recipients of this second edition.

The Ambassador calls on the awardees to serve the Nation with dedication

In his speech, His Excellency Mr. François Balumuene congratulated the new doctors on their outstanding academic success and urged them to use their knowledge, skills, and expertise in the service of their country's development.

The Head of the diplomatic mission emphasized that this distinction recognizes excellence, while reminding the laureates of their responsibility to contribute, through scientific research, innovation, higher education, and the sharing of knowledge, to the economic and social progress of the Nation.

He also encouraged them, in collaboration with the Embassy's Scientific Section, to support Congolese students wishing to continue their studies in China by guiding them towards scholarship, research, and university cooperation opportunities. Furthermore, he invited the leaders of this section to continue their mentoring efforts to enable a greater number of young Congolese to access the high-level training offered by Chinese universities.

The awardees commend an initiative for academic excellence

Speaking on behalf of all the laureates, Dr. Rub'son N'nahano-Ruhindwa Héritier, their spokesperson, expressed his gratitude to His Excellency Mr. François Balumuene for organizing this second edition of the Academic Excellence Award – Ambassador.

He praised an initiative that values merit and encourages young Congolese researchers to pursue excellence.

According to him, this distinction aligns with the vision of the President of the Republic, His Excellency Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, who prioritizes youth, education, scientific research, and the enhancement of human capital in his efforts towards the development of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

On behalf of the eight laureates, Dr. Rub'son N'nahano-Ruhindwa Héritier reaffirmed their commitment to applying the knowledge and skills acquired in Chinese universities to serve the Nation and to contribute to strengthening scientific, academic, and technological cooperation between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the People's Republic of China.

An initiative destined to endure

Established in 2025 by His Excellency Mr. François Balumuene, the Academic Excellence Award – Ambassador has become an annual event recognizing the academic merit of new Congolese doctors graduating from Chinese universities.

By annually recognizing the laureates selected through a call for applications, this award encourages the emergence of a scientific elite destined to contribute to the development of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and to strengthen academic and scientific cooperation between the DRC and the People's Republic of China.