Psychology in DR Congo, from 1954 to the present days
From 1954 to 2024, 70 years of existence of Lovanium, a pioneering university in the DRC under the colonial yoke, within Faculty Institute of Psychology and Pedagogy attached to the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters.
Several Belgian studies of the period reveal colonial objectives and interests, characterized by intentional biases of the authors (Maistriaux, d’Ombredane). The Institute of Psychology and Pedagogy of Lovanium had favored studies of measurement and appreciation of the intelligence of the Congolese, no significant difference with the white man.
In 2002, the clinical psychology option appeared at the University of Kinshasa, 48 years after work and school psychology options. Already in 1983, six clinical psychologists from the CNPP and seven others created the Association of Clinical Psychologists of Zaire (UPCZ). The term “UNION” symbolizing the struggle of a profession.
In 2003 creation of the profession of clinical psychologist, publication Official Journal/RDC n°7 and 8/2004. All these official documents make the UNPC the first association of officially recognized psychologists in the country.
In 2017 UNPC joined PAPU (Pan-African Union of Psychologists). In 2019 UNPC and PAPU are organizing an international conference in Kinshasa. A member of the UNPC sits on the executive committee of PAPU.
Prof. Olea Balayulu
Oléa Balayulu Makila is a PhD from the University of Bourgogne Franche Comté in France, currently Professor of Clinical Psychology and Psychopathology at the University of Kinshasa and visiting professor at several other universities in the DRC. He is also an Expert in the National Mental Health Program at the Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene and Prevention (MSPHP), National President of the National Union of Clinical Psychologists.