(Aru) – On Wednesday 29 July 2026, the Higher Institute of Arts and Trades (ISAM) Tabitha Canossa of Aru, a higher education institution of the Canossian Sisters of the Saint Josephine Bakhita Province, in the province of Ituri, in the north-east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, held the second edition of its graduation ceremony, which also marked the end of the 2025-2026 academic year.
In total, 28 students obtained their diploma at the end of this academic year. The ceremony was also an opportunity for the institute’s leaders to invite young people, especially boys, to take a greater interest in technical and vocational training.
The ceremony took place at the headquarters of ISAM Tabitha Canossa, in the presence of representatives of the Bishop of the Diocese of Mahagi-Nioka, of the Provincial Mother of the Canossian Sisters, Marcelle Lopez, of the Saint Josephine Bakhita Province, of the political and administrative authorities, as well as of the heads of higher education, university, scientific research and innovation institutions in the territory of Aru.
The new graduates are distributed as follows: 17 in Clothing Techniques, 7 in Fashion Design and 4 in Restaurant Service Techniques and related sectors.
The Director General of the institute, Abbot Associate Professor Donatien Angora Matabisi, and the Director of ISAM Tabitha Canossa, Mother Marie Stella Kadi, stressed that the new graduates now have the skills needed to enter the labour market or to create their own businesses.
“We are putting immediately operational graduates onto the labour market thanks to their technical training. We encourage them to create their own businesses or to join large organisations that are looking for their skills. They must not remain unemployed,” said Abbot Donatien Angora Matabisi.
For their part, the new graduates thanked the academic authorities and the teaching staff for the quality of the training received. They expressed their conviction that they are now better prepared to face the challenges of the professional world.
Low male participation
Despite these results, the Director General expressed his concern about the low representation of boys within the institute. Of the 95 students enrolled during the 2025-2026 academic year, ISAM has only four boys compared to 91 girls.
For Abbot Donatien Angora Matabisi, this situation is one of the main challenges the institution has faced since its foundation four years ago.
He recalled that jobs in fashion, hospitality and services are not exclusively reserved for women.
“Great fashion designers, great hotel managers and many professionals in these sectors are men. It is therefore time to move beyond the perception that these courses are intended only for women. The university adds value by developing creativity, scientific research and innovation,” he explained.
Two new degree programmes from 2026-2027
In order to diversify its training offer and strengthen young people’s employability, ISAM Tabitha Canossa plans to open, from the 2026-2027 academic year, two new degree programmes: Aesthetics and Beauty Care Techniques, and Tourism Administration and Nature Conservation Techniques.
Enrolment will begin on 3 August 2026, for both licence and master’s programmes.
Through this initiative, the Canossian Sisters of the Saint Josephine Bakhita Province aim to train more qualified professionals, capable of creating jobs and contributing to the promotion and economic development of the region.
By strengthening its training offer and encouraging more young people, especially boys, to move towards technical and professional trades, ISAM Tabitha Canossa thus intends to contribute to skills development and to the employability of young people in the region.
