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The University of Goma hosted, on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at the Lake Campus, a launch ceremony dedicated to the presentation of two scientific and literary works: "Virunga, Contrasts of Paradise" and "The Mountain of Spirits." Organized as part of a workshop reflecting on the evaluation of the CO-CAT tool, the event brought together university researchers around issues related to conservation, the environment, and scientific research in the region.

A Collective Work to Reflect on the Future of Virunga

The first work presented, "Virunga, Contrasts of Paradise," is a collection of the proceedings from a workshop of scientific exchange and reflection on the sustainable survival of the Virunga National Park, one hundred years after its creation. The book gathers contributions from researchers, academics, and stakeholders engaged in the reflection on the conservation of this world heritage site located in North Kivu.

Led by Professor Kyungu Kasolene and Professor Ordinary Muhindo Mughanda, this collection adopts a multidisciplinary approach that integrates environmental, legal, anthropological, agricultural, and socio-economic dimensions related to the Virunga National Park.

In presenting the work to the participants, Professor Kyungu Kasolene praised the commitment of the various contributors:

"This work is the result of the efforts of the elites, the researchers on the Virunga National Park. And we sincerely thank them." he said.

He specified that the texts gathered in the work address several areas of reflection:

"In this book, there are articles in the fields of environment, legal issues related to conflicts, fishing, agriculture, community conservation, and anthropology. We have grouped the different texts according to these areas."

The Mountain of Spirits: Between Science, Memory, and Conservation

The second work, The Mountain of Spirits, is also authored by Professor Kyungu Kasolene. Through this publication, the author traces the history of the gorillas living in a mountain of the Virunga National Park once nicknamed by local communities "the mountain of spirits," due to the presence of these primates in the area.

The book reflects on several years of scientific research dedicated to gorillas and other monkeys living in this ecosystem. It also highlights the survival mechanisms of the gorillas still present on this hill and proposes scientific simulations projected over the next hundred years based on a group of five gorillas.

During his presentation, Professor Kyungu Kasolene explained:

"This work is the summary of all the scientific studies that have been conducted on gorillas and other monkeys. Inside, we also find the socio-economic aspect as well as the evolution of conservation in the mountain of spirits." the author indicates.

A University Committed to Research Applied to Local Issues

The launch of these two works took place as part of a workshop organized around the evaluation of the CO-CAT tool, which lasts for three days. It brought together various bodies and researchers from the University of Goma. This activity demonstrates the university's determination to promote scientific research applied to the environmental, social, and territorial challenges faced by the North Kivu province.

The University of Goma thus plays its role as a space for knowledge production and scientific reflection in the service of conservation, sustainable development, and the enhancement of the natural heritage of Virunga.