IGI, EU Bring DRC Students to Antwerp to Study Gemology
July 10, 11 by IDEX Online Staff Reporter
(IDEX Online News) – Fifteen Congolese students attended IGI’s School of Gemology in Antwerp for 11 weeks of intensive training in rough, polished and colored stones. They are expected to lead the planned IGI school in Kinshasa.
The group arrived in Antwerp through the support of the European Union (EU) as an early stage of forming IGI's School of Gemology with the Centre of Expertise, Evaluation and Certification of Precious Minerals and Semi-precious Stones of Congo (CEEC)
On June 30, Congo’s National Day, the students concluded their course, receiving IGI Graduate Gemologist diplomas. The ceremony was attended by Henri Mova Sakanyi, Belgium ambassador to the DRC; Alexis Mikandji, general director of the CEEC; Mathieu Yamba, technical director of the CEEC and chair of the Kimberley Process; Maurice Fischler, president of the Diamond Bourse and Jacky Roth, vice president of the Diamond Bourse.
“Congo is fortunate to be one of the richest countries in natural resources worldwide,” said Ambassador Mova Sakanyi at the graduation ceremony. “However, after extraction, most of the minerals and diamonds are exported. With the establishment of an IGI School of Gemology, the people of Congo will hold onto the resources longer through trading, sorting and/or polishing and further benefit from the resources native to their land.”
The EU support included a detailed business plan for the School of Gemology. “It is imperative we have a solid business plan in place, supported by expertly trained individuals who will help lead the way as the School of Gemology takes shape," said IGI CEO Roland Lorié, expressing pride of the strides made to bring gemological education to the Congo.