The University of Brazzaville was founded on 4 December 1971[2] amidst desires to assert the country's sovereignty.[citation needed] Following the assassination of President Marien Ngouabi on 18 March 1977, the university was renamed in his honor on 28 July 1977.[3] The University of Brazzaville was a continuation of the Foundation for Higher Education in Central Africa (1961), which in turn developed out of the Center for Higher Education in Brazzaville (1959).