The 10th edition of the Excellence and Merit Day (Jem) at Côte d'Ivoire's Université Polytechnique de Man (Up-Man) took place on September 24, 2026. The event was held under the high patronage of Côte d'Ivoire's Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Téné Birahima Ouattara, and the patronage of Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Prof. Adama Diawara. The ceremony was attended by local authorities, elected officials, and numerous academic and economic partners.
The event's theme for this year is centered around promoting merit, employability of graduates, and sub-regional opening. The ceremony began with a color salute, followed by a parade of students from various departments and cycles. This year's edition has a sub-regional dimension, with a delegation from Liberia's Nimba University, led by its president, Prof. Jesse Noah Mongrue, in attendance as special guests.
In his address, Up-Man President, Prof. Coulibaly Lacina, described this 10th edition as the "first step towards maturity" for the university, which was established in 2015 and became a polytechnic institution in 2023. He emphasized the need to give concrete content to partnerships and announced that two students from Nimba University would be granted free registration in Master's programs in geology-mines and biotechnology at Up-Man.
Two panels were organized during the inaugural day, focusing on sustainable mining development and Côte d'Ivoire's petroleum sector, between challenges and perspectives. The panels, led by teacher-researchers and representatives of partner companies, allowed students to better understand the requirements of the professional world. Another highlight was the sharing of experiences by guests, including Moussa Keïta from Mine Ivoire and Fatou Sylla, a journalist.
Fatou Sylla, the special guest of this edition, shared her journey, marked by obstacles, and encouraged students to be resilient and persevering, essential qualities for a successful professional career. Following the exchanges, sports activities took over, with a Taekwondo demonstration and the launch of the Maracana tournament opposing students, teachers, and administrative staff.
The Jem 2026 will continue until September 26, with a program that includes the conferment of Bachelor's, Master's, and Engineer's degrees, distinction of the best students of the 2025-2026 academic year, and celebration of those promoted to Cames. The event aims to make Up-Man a reference in geosciences, agronomy, sciences, and technologies.
Key to the success of this event is the participation of numerous stakeholders, including students, teachers, and partners. The event demonstrates Up-Man's commitment to providing quality education and fostering partnerships that benefit its students. The university's ambition is to become a leading institution in the region, and events like Jem are crucial to achieving this goal.
Key points
- Côte d'Ivoire's Université Polytechnique de Man hosts its 10th Excellence and Merit Day, focusing on merit, employability, and sub-regional opening.
- The event features a sub-regional dimension with the participation of Liberia's Nimba University.
- The ceremony includes panels, experience sharing, and sports activities, aiming to make Up-Man a reference in various fields.
