THANK YOU TO SUPPORTERS

OF THIS SYMPOSIUM:

The Catholic University of America

School of Engineering
Department of Mechanical Engineering

Engineering Center for Care of the Earth (ECCE)

An initiative of the School of Engineering at the
Catholic University of America

CONGO
Solar Technology and Research (STAR) I N T E R N AT I O N A L S Y M P O S I U M
A student interdisciplinary club in the School of Engineering TECHNOLOGICAL TRANSFORMATION, THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF
at the Catholic University of America

Planetary Innovation Engineering (PIE)

Empowering and enabling people to self-transform
and innovate for better quality of life and better planet

AND PLANETARY SUSTAINABILITY

Student Conference on Paris Agreement (SCoPA)
A student-led global program advocating climate management

ACT for CONGO

Advocate.Collaborate.Transform
Working to improve the lives of people in the
DR Congo by working with local partners who build community

SGAP Leaders June 29, 2019 | 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

Serving ambitious young leaders who want
Heritage Hall, Father O’Connell Hall,
to make a difference in the world.
The Catholic University of America
620 Michigan Ave N.E., Washington, DC 20064
 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
8 a.m. 11 a.m.
Registration Panel 2: Planetary defense:
continental breakfast nature and engineering innovations
Presenters show and demonstrate that the
Enregistrement/petit déjeuner fight to care for our planet can be won with
tools ranging from the DR Congo’s swamps
9 a.m. and Brazil’s Amazon rainforest, which store tons
Welcome/Mots de Bienvenue of carbon dioxide, to engineering innovations.
John Garvey, President, The Catholic University of America
Panelists
John Judge, Ph.D., dean, the School of Engineering, Catholic University
Tongele Tongele, Ph.D.: Millions of Tons of Carbon Dioxide Stored
Sen Nieh, Ph.D., chair, Mechanical Engineering Department, Underneath the DR Congo Swamps
Catholic University
Ndasi Zialo, M.A.: Young People Must Lead the Way on Climate
Ozlem Kilic, Ph.D., director, Engineering Center for Care of the Earth, Change: Does Anyone Pay Attention to them in the DR Congo?
Catholic University
Doudou Lekata Tebungagi, M.S., Providing DR Congo Youth with Key
Tongele N. Tongele, Ph.D., symposium organizer, to Technological Innovation for Planetary Sustainability
Tony Munongo, symposium moderator Ediho Lokanga, Ph.D.: Entrepreneurship Course for DR Congo Students
in Physics and Engineering
Symposium coordinator/Coordinateur du Symposium Kulya Nzogu, M.A.: Developper un Ecosysteme d’Innovation afin de
Promouvoir l’Entreprenariat des Jeunes et la Transformation Socio-
9:40 a.m. Economique en République Démoctratique du Congo (Building an
Introductory Video/Video d’introduction Innovation Ecosystem to Support Young Entrepreneurs and Foster Socio-
economic Transformation in the DR Congo)
Yolande Munzimi, Ph.D.: Congo Basin Water Resources: Quantification
10 a.m.
in a Changing Environment
Panel 1: Climate Change is Real and is Affecting Lives of Real People
From NASA’s testimony to devastating effects of hurricanes, floods,
draughts, etc., speakers show and demonstrate that climate change Noon
is not some kind of mythical / speculative / hypothetical / philosophical Open forum: general remarks on panels 1 and 2
theory. Climate change is real, and real people are suffering the
consequences.
12:30 p.m.
Panelists Lunch/ Déjeuner
Cafés and restaurants are located at Monroe Street Market across
Tongele Tongele, Ph.D.: NASA Assessment: Climate Change Facts, Michigan Avenue.
Evidence and Causes
Christian Bomela, Ph.D.: Accelerated, Amplified and Intensified
Natural Disasters
Stephane Tubene, Ph.D.: Climate Change Effects on Agriculture
and Crops
Thaddee Badibanga, Ph.D.: Climate Change Effects on Economies
2:00 p.m.
Panel 3: Preserving Biodiversity and Focusing on Renewable
Energy Resources
The DR Congo is endowed with incredible biodiversity; its preservation
is a key to winning the fight against climate change. The country
also contains abundant renewable energy resources for clean
energy. Speakers will examine and propose steps that the DR Congo
government, scientists, engineers, environmentalists, the general public,
and the private sector can take to leap into development that protects
land, water, and air.
Panelists
Tongele Tongele, Ph.D.: Focusing on Renewable Energy
Boniface Yemba, Ph.D.: Green Investment and Productivity: The Case
of the BRICS
Ediho Lokanga, Ph.D.: Open Source Software Use and Development
in the DR Congo
John Ulimwengu, Ph.D.: Technology for Food Security: The DRCONGO
URBAN FOOD HUBS. Combining Aquaponics, Hydroponics, Energy
and Cold Chain
Jude Antonyappan, J.D.: Corporate Social Responsibility and
Corruption Prevention Among Multinational Enterprises (MNEs):
Comparative Study of the United States, the Netherlands and the
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Jean-Louis Peta Ikambana, Ph.D.: De la Libéralisation à la
Démocratisation: Conditions pour une Démocratisation Complète de la
République Démocratique du Congo
Panelists
William McGowan, Scott Sander, Michael McCabe, Parker Christian:
Can Singapore’s Development Strategy Inspire the DR Congo?
Cassandra George: Development of the Whole Human Being, not Just
Economic Growth
Ediho Lokanga, Ph.D.: Empowering Congolese Women
Patrick Mbawa, Ph.D.: Repenser l’Enseignement en DR Congo: Repère
pour une Ethique des Valeurs et de Modèle
John Ulimwengu, Ph.D.: Bâtir une Fondation Solide pour un
Développement Durable et Inclusif en RDC
Passy Tongele, M.B.A.: Streamlining Processes for Effective
Transformation
Made Afata, M.D.: Mobilizing DR Congo’s Resources to Win the Fight
Against Climate Change
4:30 p.m.
Open Forum: general remarks on Panel 3 and 4
5 p.m.
Conclusion

3:15 p.m.
Panel 4: Strategies for Sustainable Economic Growth
and Environmentally Friendly Industrialization
The DR Congo contains abundant minerals and smart materials that are
usable for cutting-edge technology and pollution-free manufacturing.
Sustainable agriculture on the DR Congo’s huge and fertile land can
feed the entire continent of Africa and alleviate hunger in the world.
Speakers will examine and explore what the DR Congo government
and the international community, as well as scientists, engineers,
environmentalists, the general public, and the private sector worldwide
can do to achieve sustainable prosperity and longevity for all.
 MEET THE PANELISTS
Made Afata, M.D., is a native of the DR Congo. He completed his
medical studies at the University of Kinshasa (DR Congo). He practices in
Gaborone, South-East, Republic of Botswana. In addition to his medical
practice, Dr. Afata is a philanthropist, environmentalist, and advocate for
social justice, economic justice and peace.
Jude M. Antonyappan, Ph.D., is an educator, researcher, Fulbright
Scholar, and an organizational consultant. She earned her doctorate
in social welfare from the University of California at Berkeley. After two
decades as a faculty member at California State University, Sacramento,
she as faculty emerita in 2017 to pursue¬¬ the study law. She is in her
final year of a juris doctor program at Catholic University’s Columbus
School of Law, where she specializes in comparative international law
and corporate compliance programs. As a law student she is engaged
in research on the integration of domestic and international legal
provisions for the implementation of corporate social responsibility for
the protection of global human rights. Dr. Antonyappan continues to
teach online and weekend intensive graduate courses at California State
University, Sacramento. She has more than 30 years of experience in
grant development, serving as primary investigator for research grants
including grants from organizations such as the United Nations High
Commission for Refugees, and the Ministry of Social Welfare in India,
while she taught as a tenured faculty member at the University of Delhi,
India. She has presented internationally on discipline-specific topics
including integrative intelligence, social capital, disaster management,
stereotype vulnerability, population dynamics, program evaluation, and
total quality management.
Thaddee Badibanga, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of economics
at Bowie State University (Md.). He has worked for the International
Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) as an associate research fellow
and the coordinator of the country strategy support program for the
DR Congo. He has been a lecturer at the University of Kinshasa (DR
Congo), an adjunct professor at the College of Saint Benedict and
Saint John University (Minn.), an adjunct professor at Hamline University
(Minn.), and an instructor and research associate at the University of
Minnesota Twin Cities. He was a fiscal advisor to the DR Congo Minister
of Treasury. Dr. Badibanga earned a master’s degree in economics
from Western Illinois University and a doctoral degree in applied
economics, macroeconomics, economic growth and development from
the University of Minnesota. His areas of research include structural
transformation, economic growth, agricultural and rural development.
Patrick Mbawa Dekuzu Ya Behan, Ph.D., earned his doctorate in
philosophy from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, in Rome, Italy.
He is an alumnus of the Department of Economics and Social Sciences
of the Catholic University of Paris, and an associate researcher at Fond
Ricoeur (France) and at the African Center for International, Diplomatic,
Economic, and Strategic Studies (CEIDES). He is professor and president
of University-College (ISP) Mbandaka and professor at the Major
Seminary of Bamanya in the DR Congo.
Christian Bomela, Ph.D., is a clinical assistant professor at Catholic
University in the School of Engineering’s Department of Mechanical
Engineering. He has been a visiting assistant professor at Valparaiso
University in Valparaiso (Ind.), a visiting assistant professor at Dalian
Jiao Tong University (China), and an adjunct faculty member at Central
Piedmont Community College (N.C.). He received his docotoral degree
and a master of science degree in mechanical engineering from the
University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He received his undergraduate
degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Kinshasa (DR
Congo). Dr. Bomela also worked as a mechanical engineering practical
works instructor at the University of Kinshasa, and an engineer in charge
of high voltage stations at the DR Congo national power company. He is
a former president and vice president of the Congolese Community of
Charlotte (N.C.). His areas of expertise include energy and fluid systems,
computational fluid dynamics, and mechanical measurements.
Jean-Louis Peta Ikambana, Ph.D., is the director of partnerships at
TEACH-NOW Graduate School of Education. TEACH-NOW is dedicated
to “teaching teachers around the world to be resourceful problem
solvers and tech-savvy educators .” He has worked to advance the cause
of the advancement of human dignity in different international, national
and local organizations in Africa, Europe, South America, and North
America as a teacher, social worker, program manager, program director,
board member, and advocate. During his tenure as area director at
the American Friends Committee, he led a coalition of D.C. grassroots
organizations, schools, and government officials that successfully
culminated with the proclamation in 2008 of Washington, D.C., as the
first human rights city in the United States. He is the recipient of the
2010 Community Human Rights Award presented by the United Nations
Association of the National Capital Area, 2014 President’s Volunteer
Service Award, and the 2016 Edward O’Brien Award of Human Rights
Educators. Dr. Ikambana holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and
human sciences from Institut Saint Pierre Canisius, Kimwenza-Kinshasa
in the DR Congo; master’s degrees in political science from La Javeriana
University (Bogota (Colombia), criminal justice from Saint Joseph
University (Philadelphia), international affairs from American University
(Washington, D.D.); and a Ph.D. in African American studies from Temple
University (Philadelphia). He is the author of Mobutu’s Totalitarian
Political System. An Afrocentric Analysis (Routledge), and a contributor
to Africa In the 21st Century (Routledge).
Ediho Lokanga, Ph.D., is a theoretical physicist, computer scientist,
poet, and author. He holds a doctoral degree in the interdisciplinary
study of theoretical physics from EUCLID (Euclid University), where he is a
faculty member.
Kabuswe Tony Munongo has vast experience in business promotion,
startup initiatives, and investments stimulation for the purpose
of job creation. He has been advocating on behalf of DR Congo
businesses, and has been instrumental in establishing investments
and trade initiatives between cities and states in the DR Congo and
their counterparts in the United States, and in Maryland in particular.
He is currently managing director of LOCINTEL RDC SARL, a private
consultant specializing in solution architecture.
Yolande Munzimi, Ph.D., is a faculty research assistant in the
Department of Geographical Sciences at the University of Maryland.
Her research interests include large scale hydrological modeling of
the Congo Basin using remote sensed data. She came in the United
States from the DR Congo as a Fulbright scholar to pursue a master’s
degree in water and wetland resource completed at SUNY College
of Environmental Sciencse and Forestry. In 2012, she joined the
Geographical Sciences Department at the University of Maryland to
pursue her Ph.D. degree. Dr. Yolande has received funding from START/
PACOM (U.S. National Science Foundation/ U.S. Climate Change
Science Program); a USGS - SWERA (Solar and Wind Energy Resource
Assessment) NASA project; USAID’s Central Africa Regional Program for
the Environment (CARPE) at University of Maryland; and a NASA Earth
System Science Fellowship awarded to her to investigate Hydrological
response to land cover and land use change in the Congo Basin.
Kulya Nzogu, M.A., is the managing director of NICOGER Group in
Fairfax, Va., a firm specializing in IT consulting, business advisory services,
global development, and management training. He has experience
working in the financial services and IT industries in Europe, West Africa,
and North America. For the past 20 years, he has also been involved as a
consultant or an investor in a variety of business ventures in sub-Saharan
Africa and North America. An economist by training, Mr. Nzogu holds
undergraduate and graduate degrees in economics and in Finance from
the universities of Grenoble (France) and Geneva (Switzerland).
Doudou Lekata Tebungagi, M.S., Information Technology and
Communication network expert, with 10 years of professional experience
internationally. His expertise covers information security ethical hacking
and computer forensics. Born in Isiro, Democratic Republic of the
Congo, Doudou Lekata obtained his high school diploma in chemistry
and biology. He attended university in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic
of the Congo, where he obtained his bachelor degree in industrial
information technology, and a master degree in telecommunication
network. Doudou Lekata is a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist.
Beni Futur is his signature philanthropic organization in Beni, Democratic
Republic of the Congo, where boys and girls are initiated in information
technology and creativity so they can develop the mindset of problem
solvers and ethical leaders. Doudou Lekata is married to Dr. Lauriane
Sivanzire and both live with their 3 children in Texas, USA.
Passy Yenga-Balasi Tongele, M.B.A., received her master of business
administration degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville with
distinction for her outstanding course work on leadership, influence,
and managerial effectiveness; statistical analysis for business decisions;
human resources management; managing technology; quality and
performance management; strategic management; and international
business environment. Her undergraduate senior project was on
analytical, quantitative and comparative study of economic impact of
rapid prototyping technology on modern industrialization. Ms. Tongele
is an experienced management analyst working with private and public
organizations in the United States and a fine expert in organization
processes improvement and government’s logistics and procurement.
She sees tremendous potential of the DR Congo and believes its working
environment in public and private sectors characterized by arbitrary
decisions and actions resulting in inefficiency, mismanagement, and
waste of resources suffocates the people and hampers development.
Therefore, she sees streamlining processes with clear milestones and
expectations as the roadmap to technological and human transformation
in the DR Congo that can lead to eradication of corruption and poverty.
Tongele N. Tongele, Ph.D., is a scientist, an educator, and a published
author with vast knowledge and a profound understanding of cultures,
people, and society. He got his bachelor’s degree in engineering from
California State Polytechnic University Pomona, and a master of science
degree and a doctoral degree in mechanical engineering from The
Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. He was a professor
at Lewis and Clark Community College (Ill.), McKendree University
(Ill.), and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. He is currently a
faculty member Catholic University in the School of Engineering’s
Mechanical Engineering Department. His areas of research include
control system engineering, dynamical systems, vibration, mechanical
design, and renewable energy systems, an area in which he developed
computational, quantitative and qualitative methods of analysis focusing
particularly on optimization of conversion technology for solar and wind
energy. Dr. Tongele is a native of the DR Congo.
Stephan L. Tubene, Ph.D., received his doctoral degree in agricultural
economics from Kansas State University, his master of science degree
in agricultural economics from Alcorn State University (Miss.), and his
undergraduate degree in chemistry and agricultural industries from
Institut Facultaire des Sciences Agronomiques de Yangambi (IFA/
Yangambi, DR Congo). He is an associate professor, small farm specialist,
and small farm institute coordinator at the University of Maryland Eastern
Shore. His research expertise includes outreach and assistance for
Maryland’s socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.
John Ulimwengu, Ph.D., is a native of the DR Congo and a senior
research fellow at the International Food Policy Research Institute. He
has worked as a consultant with the University of Missouri on a Workforce
Innovations Regional Development project for the Alabama-Mississippi
region. He also worked as a lecturer at the University of Kinshasa
in the DR Congo, and as a national expert with the United Nations
Development Program. He earned master’s degrees in development
economics from Williams College and in economics from Ohio State
University. He received his Ph.D. in agricultural economics from Ohio
State University. His research interests include poverty dynamics,
economic growth, and rural development. He is involved in research
and policy advisory work on sector policy and strategy issues related
to the implementation of the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural
Development Program.
Boniface Yemba, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of international
business at the Lewis College of Business at Marshall University. He
earned his master’s and doctoral degrees in economics from the
University of Kansas. His teaching and research are in the fields of
international economics, macroeconomics, monetary economics, and
applied econometrics. He worked as an instructor at Clarion University
of Pennsylvania and as National Deputy Coordinator for the Steering
Committee of Elaboration and Implementation of Poverty Reduction
Strategy in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He was born and grew
up in the DR Congo where he earned his bachelor’s degree in economics
and business from the University of Kinshasa.
Ndasi Zialo, M.A., is a social scientist with a bachelor’s degree in
social work from the University of Maryland Baltimore County. He has
a master of science degree from Catholic University, and he is also a
graduate of the Child Welfare Academy at the University of Maryland
in Baltimore City. He has a passion for social justice and has dedicated
his professional life to the protection of young people in the state of
Maryland. Mr. Zialo understands that social justice and environmental
justice are intrinsically connected because issues that impact the
environment also impact the wellbeing of people who live there.
Students
Michael McCabe, William McGowan, and Scott Sander are
sophomores at Catholic University majoring in international economics
and finance. They are researching the DR Congo’s economic potential.
“Our project investigated the economic growth of Singapore from
1965 to 2015, while trying to evaluate their path to sustainability. With
this project, we compare Singapore’s path to what the DR Congo can
do with its immense natural and human resources. The DR Congo has
the potential to lead the world in economic development and planet
sustainability,” explained Sander.