The Universidade Internacional do Cuanza (International University of Cuanza, UNIC) was recently awarded the prize in the “Campus of the Future” category during the ACEEU Triple E Awards ceremony, held in Prague, Czech Republic.
At the ceremony, which took place at Prague Castle, Dr. Carmen Lilí Rodríguez, Vice Rector of Academic Affairs of UNIC, was present.
In addition to international recognition, UNIC has stood out for its transformative role in the Angolan context. In an interview given during the event, Dr. Carmen Lilí Rodríguez shared several reflections on the symbolic and real impact of the university in the region.
“Just a few years ago, the land where our university now stands was a minefield. Today, on those foundations of pain, we have built a campus that is synonymous with hope, reconstruction, and future. Our commitment has been clear: to offer quality education, to integrate sustainability into every space, and to promote the inclusion of all our students, regardless of their background or circumstances,” Dr. Rodríguez emphasized.
She also highlighted that the UNIC campus is more than just a place of learning: it is a hub for community service, technological innovation, and environmental care. The university actively collaborates with local organizations to promote sustainable development and to train a new generation of professionals committed to the country’s reconstruction.
Each year, the award ceremony is organized by the Accrediting Council for Enterprising and Engaged Universities (ACEEU). Based in Münster, Germany, the ACEEU is the leading provider of quality assurance for entrepreneurship and participation in higher education.
The awards ceremony took place within the framework of the forum Excellence in Higher Education in the 21st Century: Cultivating Synergies between Purpose, Strategy, and Culture to Drive Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Impact. With welcoming remarks from Prof. Dr. Thorsten Kliewe, president of ACEEU, and Prof. Dr. Michal Lošťák, professor at the Czech University of Life Sciences, two days of exchange on entrepreneurship, commitment, and social impact began, attended by 100 people from all continents, including academics, professionals, students, and entrepreneurs.