University of Lomé

The University of Lomé (French: Université de Lomé; abbreviated UL) is the largest university in Togo.[3] Located in the city of Lomé, it was founded in 1970 as University of Benin (French: Université du Bénin) and changed its name to the University of Lomé in 2001.[4][5]

University of Lomé
Université de Lomé
Former names
University of Benin
MottoFuturae Generis Humani Fides[1]
Motto in English
Faith in the future of the human race
Established1970
Students40,000[2]
Location
Lomé
,
Togo
Websitewww.univ-lome.tg
University of Lomé entrance

2011 student riots

In May 2011, the government of Togo ordered the indefinite closure of University of Lomé after students started riots demanding better conditions and food.[3] The riots began on Wednesday, May 25, 2011, and escalated through the rest of the week culminating in a clash on Friday between students and police which required the use of tear gas to disperse the roughly 500 rioting students. Authorities stated that the rioters were invading lecture halls, assaulting lecturers and other students, and destroying university property.[2] The university was closed on Friday, May 27, 2011.

The head of the institution, Koffi Ahadzi Nonon, stated that the students were upset that the university had introduced a new academic system called LMD (translated as Bachelor, Master, Doctorate), for which the students were unprepared.[3] On May 26, 2011, the Embassy of the United States in Lomé, Togo, issued a warden message to U.S. citizens in Togo to avoid the university campus area until the riots had ceased and stating that tear gas may have been used on May 25, against the demonstrators.

On June 6, an agreement between the university and the students was reached as students affirmed their commitment to the new LMD academic system and that the university would improve the students' living conditions.[6] On June 15, the head of student organization, the Movement for the Development of Togolese Students or MEET, was arrested for attempting to incite possible violent resistance. The head of Hacam — another student organization — condemned the actions of the head of MEET.[7]

On July 8, students and government representatives signed a formal agreement allowing current students to continue on the classic academic system or switch to the LMD system at their option and which stated that the government would invest 2.4 billion CFA francs (roughly 4,800,000 USD) into the construction of new lectures halls and versatile teaching blocks at the University of Lomé and the University of Kara.[8]

Alumni

The Gilbert Houngbo served as Prime Minister of Togo from 2008 until his resignation in 2012[9] and earned his Masters in Business Administration at the University of Lomé.[10] Yawo Adomayakpor, Togo's ambassador to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, graduated from the University of Lomé.[11]

The renowned former journalist at Radio Lomé, and former Project Manager at the World Bank,[12] Augustin Koffi Winigah attended the University of Lomé, and earned his Masters in Law & Development Studies.

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References
  1. "University President (in French)". Université de Lomé. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  2. "Togo shuts Lomé university after police clash with students". Radio France Internationale. Retrieved 2011-09-01.
  3. "Togo Orders University of Lome Closure Over Student Riots". The Huffington Post. Associated Press. 2011-05-27. Retrieved 2011-08-31.
  4. Africa Higher Education Website Project, Michigan State University
  5. University of Lomé website, "History of the University of Lomé (in French)
  6. "Réouverture prochaine de l'université de Lomé". RepublicOfTogo.com (in French). 2011-06-06. Retrieved 2011-09-01.
  7. "Interpellation d'un leader étudiant". RepublicOfTogo.com (in French). 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2011-09-01.
  8. "Government and students reach an agreement". RepublicOfTogo.com. 2011-07-08. Retrieved 2011-09-01.
  9. "Togo PM, govt quit to widen leadership before vote". Thomson Reuters. 2012-07-12. Retrieved 2012-11-08.
  10. "Gilbert Fossoun Houngbo, "l'oiseau rare"". RepublicOfTogo.com (in French). 2008-09-09. Retrieved 2011-09-01.
  11. "Nouvel ambassadeur du Togo à Kin'". RepublicOfTogo.com (in French). 2010-02-18. Retrieved 2011-09-01.
  12. "Cabinet A.E.C." www.cabinetaec.com. Retrieved 2017-10-19.

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