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At 30th Anniversary, Catholic University of Mozambique Lauded as Institution “where hearts and minds bloom”

Sabrine Amboka

By Sabrine Amboka

Maputo, 18 March, 2025 / 10:52 pm (ACI Africa).

Archbishop Claudio Dalla Zuanna has lauded the 30-year-old Catholic University of Mozambique (UCM) for churning out highly skilled professionals who are transforming the Mozambican society.

In a report that the Italian non-governmental organization that works “for the promotion and protection of health in Africa”, Doctors with Africa (CUAMM), published on March 14, the Local Ordinary of Mozambique’s Catholic Archdiocese of Beira is quoted emphasizing UCM’s essential role in the Southern African nation. 

“The University is certainly a place where science is cultivated with seriousness and rigor, but it is also where hearts and minds bloom not only for academic results but for generously serving humanity,” Archbishop Dalla says in the CUAMM report on the 30th Anniversary of UCM. 

According to the Mozambican Archbishop, UCM “cannot be an ivory tower. It must be able to listen to society, accept challenges, and offer answers.”

In the report, UCM’s Rector, Fr. Filipe Sungo, notes that through years of hard work, the institution of higher learning inaugurated in Mozambique’s city of Beira now stands out at national level for its human values and more.

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“Since its founding in 1995, UCM has responded to educational challenges with rigor and innovation, with the firm intention of forming upright citizens. We do not only want well-prepared and highly qualified professionals in their fields, but also leaders committed to the common good,” said the institution's Rector, Fr. Sungo.

Following its inauguration in 1995, in partnership with CUAMM, UCM’s Faculty of Medicine was established. The faculty’s inaugural class of aspiring doctors graduated in 2007, according to the March 14 CUAMM report.

In the report, the then UCM Rector, Fr. Alberto Ferreira, is quoted as describing the inaugural graduation date of aspiring doctors, 25 August 2007, as “A historic date for the entire country.” 

The day was “historic” because among those, who graduated were pioneer students trained outside the capital, Maputo, in the central-northern region of Mozambique, the country, where, at the time, there was only one doctor for every 100,000 inhabitants, the CUAMM report indicates. 

From 2007 to date, over 500 students have reportedly graduated at the Faculty of Medicine at UCM thanks to the partnership with CUAMM.

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The Italian non-governmental entity that works to improve the well-being and health of vulnerable communities in sub-Saharan Africa has been providing the professionals and human resources for Mozambique, a country historically lacking qualified health personnel.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) statistics, Mozambique is one of the poorest countries in the world with only 548 doctors for a population of more than 22 million.

In his speech at the 30th Anniversary of UCM, the Director General of CUAMM, Fr. Dante Carraro, acknowledged what he described as “a valuable aspect”, lauding the Catholic institution of higher learning for fostering a “strong connection to the community.”

“Individual careers and money are certainly important, but science, research, and expertise must not forget to serve the poorest and most vulnerable,” Fr. Carraro is quoted as saying.

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