Luanda — Agostinho Neto University (UAN) awarded for the first time, on Tuesday in Luanda, a Ph.D. degree to the lecturer of the Engineering Faculty, Mulangu Malenga Justin.

The body of judges, chaired by the principal of UAN, Orlando Manuel José Fernandes da Mata, comprised Professor Carlos Diakanamwa and Portuguese teachers Alirio Rodrigues, Arminda Alves and Patricia Bravo, passed the candidate's thesis and dissertation with distinction and honours.

"The applicant passed with honours, being awarded by the UAN, the degree of Ph.D.," stressed the president of the jury.

Mulangu Malenga Justin defended for 140 minutes, a thesis in the area of chemical engineering, entitled "Contribution to the Study of Medicinal Plants in Angola with Hepato-Protective Activity: characterization of the phenolic profile of Boerhaavia diffusa L".

The research was directed to the extraction, separation and identification of active compounds of Boerhaavia diffusa and L evaluation of their geographic origin, the nature of the soil and climate conditions on the amount of active compounds.

The research has also held discussions on the country's wealth in terms of medicinal plants.

Speaking to the press at the end of the event, Mulangu Malenga Justin said the investigation took about ten years and was very fruitful.

"I had to read, investigate and study hard and so dedicated, but all in all it was worth it because I got a positive mark," he stressed.

He said that despite the advanced age and with various academic and family responsibilities, he managed to get the PhD degree, so he expects this gesture as an example to the young.

"I hope that young people follow my example and always try to complete their training in order to contribute, even better, in the process of development of the country," he said.

The event, held in the auditorium of the University Campus in Camama, was attended by the Secretary of State for Science and Technology, João Sebastião Teta, as well as academics, students and other national and foreign entities.