The International University of Cuanza (UNIC) is located in the province of Bié, and is the unique Highter education campus in the centre of Angola, distant from the capital Luanda. The University is located in Kuito. The city suffered severely from the civil war (1975-2002), to the point of being nicknamed the "African Stalingrad”. The consequences were dramatic in the economic and human development of the province. In terms of education and training, the province did not have a university. UNIC is the first university in the history of the province. A slow process of reconstruction began on the outskirts of the old urban centre, where UNIC's campus is located today. Through the development of the university, the aim is to offer the inhabitants of the region the possibility of access to higher education in an area particularly affected by the violence of the war. The creation of the university was officially approved in 2020, inaugurated in 2021. Currently UNIC has 3067 students from the region, and offers its students a comprehensive education, based on excellence and committed to people and local communities. In addition to the competences of each subject or discipline, all students are guaranteed to acquire a high level of English and Spanish, transversal skills in the use of the most innovative technologies, teamwork and project planning and management. UNIC has a training model inspired by best practices detected in other institutions, giving special prominence to the use of ICT, as well as a practice-oriented training including reflective-practice and service-learning methodologies, in order to improve local life conditions. With this learning approach, the aim is to promote student autonomy and acquisition of skills linked to requirements of their profession, facilitated by the integration of students in the labour market thanks to university’s collaboration agreements with companies.
Finalist
Campus of Tomorrow Award Award
From a bomb site to a campus of excellence: UNIC changing the destiny of central Angolans
Finalist Campus of Tomorrow Award Award
International University of Cuanza (UNIC) - Angola
"UNIC - Uniting cultures, expanding horizons"
Engage on social media
@unic_cuanza(Official UNIC Twitter account)
https://www.linkedin.com/company/universidade-cuanza-unic/(Official UNIC LD account)
https://www.facebook.com/unic.co.ao/(Official UNIC FB account)
(Official UNIC Youtube account)
Summary
Key People
Oldemar Nolio
Presidente
Euroafrican Foundation
Dr. Carlos Jelvez Mertínez
Rector
International University of Cuanza
Dra. Carmen Lilí Rodríguez
Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs
International University of Cuanza
Dra. María Elena Castro
Vice-Rector for Scientific Affairs and Postgraduate Studies
International University of Cuanza (UNIC)
10 Dra. Yanileidy Moreira
General secretary
International University of Cuanza (UNIC)
Dr. Leonardo Hernández
Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences
International University of Cuanza (UNIC)
Lisandra León Brizuela
Dean of social science faculty
International University of Cuanza (UNIC)
Roger Rivas
Dean of the Faculty of Engineering
International University of Cuanza
Acknowledgements
Angola MInistry of Education (Angola)
Government of Bié (Angola)
Spanish Embassy in Angola (Angola, Spain)
Iberoamerican University Foundation (FUNIBER, Spain)
European University of The atlantic (UNEAT, Spain)
International Iberoamerican University (UNINI, Mexico)
Images
UNIC Campus
OPEN SPACE CAMPUS
A CLASSROOM IN UNIC
UNIC LIBRARY
UNIC LABORATORIES FOR Angolan work force development
UNIC Campus from the air
Training reflective practice
Assambly Hall
Growing from the air
UNIC classroom environment
Sustainable Campus
IMPACT STORY
Impacting lifes
From Minefields to Minds: The Story of Internacional Universityof Cuanza
In the heart of Angola, where war once left scars on the land and its people, hope has taken root. The International University of Cuanza (UNIC), built on a former minefield from Angola’s brutal civil war, stands as a symbol of transformation. What was once a place of danger has become a beacon of opportunity.
Since its creation, UNIC has become more than a university—it is a catalyst for social and economic change. Through academic programs and professional training, it empowers a new generation to rebuild Angola with knowledge, not conflict. Scholarships offered by UNIC have opened doors for students who never imagined attending university. Many of these young people come from underserved communities, including those supported by local NGOs like Aldeia Nissi, which works with vulnerable children and families.
UNIC's impact radiates beyond the campus. Graduates return to their communities as teachers, healthcare workers, engineers, and entrepreneurs. They drive sustainable development and foster peace by replacing cycles of poverty with cycles of progress. The university collaborates closely with local organizations to address social needs, creating a network of change-makers committed to Angola’s future.
Today, the International University of Cuanza stands as proof that education can disarm the past and build a better tomorrow. What once was a field of mines is now a field of minds—growing knowledge, fostering hope, and shaping the future of Angola.
LEARNINGS
Lessons learned
From the foundation to nowadays, our staff focused on the connection between local needs, national development strategy and international opportunities.
Financial barriers are addressed through scholarships awarded to students with economic difficulties who demonstrate strong commitment and academic excellence. The university also offers flexible class schedules and curricular adaptations, enabling students to balance studies with work and family responsibilities.
The university embraces an open-access approach, providing flexible enrolment opportunities while maintaining rigorous graduation standards. To support student success, UNIC implements diverse academic support mechanisms, including faculty tutoring, peer mentoring from advanced students, continuous performance monitoring, and counselling services through its Psychopedagogical Office.
Connected to national strategies to enhance learning, UNIC has developed a virtual campus with comprehensive course materials and a digital library, compensating for the lack of public libraries and bookstores in the region. Equipped study rooms promote collaborative learning, while service-learning and internships encourage the practical application of knowledge.
Developing digital competencies is a national priority for both students and faculty. UNIC provides tailored training programs, access to computer labs, and integrates ICTs into teaching and assessment practices.
Finally, building an international faculty is seen as both a challenge and an opportunity. UNIC defines faculty profiles aligned with local needs. The university contributes to individual and community development, promoting social transformation through education and knowledge sharing, thanks to European relationships within funded projects for improve teaching by innovative developments impacting positively in a better training for our students.
FUTURE PLANS
What's coming?
The International University of Cuanza (UNIC) is committed to continuing and strengthening the good practices developed so far while advancing new strategic lines of action to maximize its social and educational impact. A key priority is expanding partnerships with local institutions to ensure that students receive applied training and practical learning experiences aligned with regional needs.
UNIC plans to organize institutional and employer fairs to build direct connections between students and future employers, fostering employability and professional growth. In parallel, the university aims to promote research projects with a service-learning approach, particularly in nutritional and dietetic education, to improve food security in the region.
Another focus is to diversify the university's research initiatives beyond the Health sector by encouraging international collaborations across different fields. To support the well-being and holistic development of the academic community, UNIC will also develop new sports facilities on campus.
Responding to local development priorities, the university plans to expand its academic offerings with high-impact degree programs such as Primary Education, Medicine, and Agrarian and Agri-Food Industries. Additionally, UNIC will promote a portfolio of postgraduate programs in partnership with the Iberoamerican University Foundation (FUNIBER), allowing graduates to continue their educational journey.
Finally, the university aspires to extend its model to other provinces in Angola, establishing new campuses and delivering tailored educational programs in regions with significant unmet demand for higher education and professional training.
