Dr Ondo Catherine Patricia joins the University’s first generation of doctors

Université Internationale de Libreville – Berthe & Jean (UIL-BJ) reached a historic milestone by organising the first doctoral thesis defences of its Doctoral School of Political, Legal, Economic and Management Sciences (ED-SJPEG).

Dr Ondo Catherine Patricia was among the laureates of this first cohort and received the highest honours, Très honorable.

A Doctor of Political Science, she defended a thesis entitled:

“The sub-regional integration of refugees and the fight against asylum-related challenges in the ECCAS area: the case of Gabon and Cameroon”.

Research at the heart of humanitarian and geopolitical challenges

Through this work, Dr Ondo Catherine Patricia analyses refugee reception and integration policies in Central Africa, highlighting the legal, institutional and political challenges faced by ECCAS member states. Her thesis offers practical avenues for strengthening sub-regional cooperation and improving asylum governance in a context marked by migration and security crises.

This research makes a major scientific contribution to understanding refugee-protection mechanisms and building more effective and supportive public policies.

An international jury of leading academics

The defence was assessed by a jury made up of prominent figures in African academia:

• Prof. BATCHOM Paul Elvic Jérôme, jury chair, University of Yaoundé II / IRIC (Cameroon)
• Prof. MVÉ EBANG Bruno, rapporteur, Omar Bongo University (Gabon)
• Prof. MBOHA NYAMSI Henri Ludovic, rapporteur, University of Yaoundé II (Cameroon)
• Prof. WALI WALI Christian, examiner, Omar Bongo University (Gabon)
• Prof. Abdou Rahmane THIAM, thesis supervisor, Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar (Senegal)

Following deliberations, the scientific quality, methodological rigour and strategic relevance of the work were unanimously praised, justifying the award of the Très honorable distinction.

A major advance for UIL-BJ

This defence illustrates UIL-BJ’s growing role in the African university landscape. By training its first doctors, the institution confirms its ambition to become a centre of excellence for research applied to African issues, particularly governance, human security and regional integration.

With this achievement, Dr Ondo Catherine Patricia joins a new generation of researchers called upon to inform public policy and contribute actively to the development and stability of Central Africa.