# University of Parakou

The University of Parakou (UP) is a university in Parakou, in the northern region of Benin. It is the second public university in the Republic of Benin, following the University of Abomey-Calavi.
In the 2010s Benin officially had seven public universities, including those in Kétou, Abomey, Lokossa, Porto-Novo, and Natitingou. The latter resulted from the University of Parakou losing its university centers in Djougou and Natitingou.

## History

Founded on 18 September 2001 as an autonomous national institution (decree n°2001-365), the University of Parakou is a public, scientific, technical, and cultural university with legal personality and financial autonomy.

## Organization

UP consists of 11 training entities distributed among faculties, institutes of professional training, and doctoral schools.

### List of rectors, 2001–2014

| N° | Name | Period |
| 1 | Michel Boko | 2001–2002 |
| 2 | D. Gilbert Avode | 2002–2003 |
| 3 | Alexis Hountondji | 2003–2006 |
| 4 | A. Simon Akpona | 2006–2012 |
| 5 | Barthélémy Biao | 2012–2014 |
| 6 | Prosper Gandaho | 2014–2020 |
| 7 | Bertrand Sogbossi Bocco | 2021–present |

### Training entities

| Entity | Programs |
| FA | – Plant Production Sciences and Techniques (STPV) – Natural Resources Management (AGRN) – Animal Production Sciences and Techniques (STPA) – Rural Economics and Sociology (ESR) – Nutrition and Agro-Food Sciences and Techniques (NSAA) |
| FM | – General Medicine |
| IFSIO | – Nursing and Obstetric Care |
| FDSP | – Private Law – Public Law – Political Science and International Relations >>Masters programs – Corporate and Business Law (JEA) – Labor Administration and Social Protection (ATPS) – Local Administration and Sustainable Development (ALDD) – Public Services Administration and Public Litigation Management (ASPGCP) – Public Procurement and Public-Private Partnership (M3P) – International Policy and Interest Representation (RIPI) |
| FASEG | – ECONOMICS: >>International Economics and Finance (EFI) >>Economic Analysis and Policy (APE) >>Agricultural Economics (EA) >>Local Finance and Economics (EFCL) – MANAGEMENT: >>Finance and Accounting (FC) >>Marketing and Organizational Management (MMO) >>Entrepreneurship and Business Management (EGE) |
| FLASH | – Department of Geography and Land Management – Department of Sociology and Anthropology – Department of English Studies – Department of Modern Languages – Department of Hispanic Studies – Department of German Studies |
| IUT | >>Bachelor programs – Bank Management (GB) – Business Management (GE) – IT Management (IG) – Transport and Logistics Management (GTL) – Commercial Management (GC) – Human Resources Management (GRH) >>Masters programs – Geosciences and Land Management – Sociology and Social Mediation – English Studies |
| EDSAE | – PhD in Natural Resource Economics (ERN) – PhD in Natural Resource Sociology (SRN) – PhD in Animal Production (PA) – PhD in Plant Protection (PV) – PhD in Natural Resources Management and Planning (AGRN) – PhD in Biodiversity Monitoring and Conservation (MCB) – PhD in Population, Demography, and Environment (PDE) |
| ENATSE | – Professional License in Public Health: Epidemiological Surveillance Option |
| ENSPD | – Applied Statistics and Planning and Evaluation |
| EDSJPA | – Law and Political Science |

### University centers

Since 2016 the University no longer has university centers. But within the university there are non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as the "Amour et Vie" Center and the Center for Well-being in the Fight Against AIDS (CBELS), which raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and also hepatitis.