Capacity Building for Science and Technology in Africa

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The Executive Director of the African Academy of Sciences, Professor Berhanu Abegaz, delivered a Public Lecture at UKZN titled: “Capacity Building for Science and Technology in Africa – an African Academy of Sciences (AAS) Perspective.”

Abegaz explored challenges and opportunities facing Africa as viewed by the African Union and Pan African organisations and concluded the future of the continent depended on the youth which was its greatest asset.

 He said challenges facing Africa included the following:

•    Linking science, technology and innovation (STI) to wealth and job creation for all, sustainable
     livelihoods and the improved well-being of citizens

•    Expanding the continent’s knowledge and research agenda to addresses economic and social
     challenges

•    Developing relevant STI indicators which can be used in formulating policies

•    Building quality and relevant capacity and competencies to ensure development of research-
     based policies.

Abegaz highlighted the following positives for the continent:

*     A remarkable economic performance over the last ten years – six of the top ten world’s best performers
     are in Africa while 24 countries have at least technically crossed the line to become Medium Income
     Countries

*    The discovery of various resources, natural gas and oil and other commercially exploitable minerals

*     Excellent energy potential

*     Nearly 60% of the world’s arable land is in Africa

*     Africa’s youth.

 He made the following suggestions for capacity building:

*     Foster intra-African co-operation while maintaining North-South collaboration

*     Encourage dialogue among African member states to share best practices

*     Enhance interaction between scientists and policy makers

*     Foster the gathering and building of data and facilitate access, use, translation and transmission.

Abegaz outlined the AAS Young Affiliates’ Programme which is aimed at early to mid-career professionals and emphasised the value of inspiring young people and providing good mentors.

He said a total of 25 affiliates were selected every year and provided with ‘inspirational, tangible support’ for five years.

The Academy, which was established in 1985, aims to be a major player in ‘driving sustainable development in Africa through science, technology and innovation’.

Abegaz said an academy needed to work closely with the government it was associated with as well as with the ‘political echelons’ but it also had to maintain its distance to ensure independence.

The AAS has a strategic partnership with the African Union and NEPAD and has honoured over 300 fellows, three of whom are Nobel Prize winners. It is open to all sciences - life and physical sciences, applied and social sciences and the humanities, including indigenous knowledge. ‘Our academy is an academy of all knowledge, Bishop Desmond Tutu is a fellow of the Academy,’ said Abegaz.

UKZN’s Pro Vice-Chancellor: Innovation, Commercialisation and Entrepreneurship, Professor Deresh Ramjugernath, acknowledged Abegaz’s exceptional research record and noted his contributions in ‘positioning Africa to be truly innovative’.

Ramjugernath echoed Abegaz’s sentiments saying ‘capacity building can unleash the full potential of our continent’.

Abegaz thanked the AAS Secretariat and Governing Council, CAPRISA and UKZN for inviting him to share his views and experiences through the public lecture.

He paid tribute to CAPRISA’s Professor Quarraisha Abdool Karim, a fellow of AAS since 2011, acknowledging her ongoing contribution to the organisation.

To find out more about the African Academy of Sciences, visit the website: http://www.aasciences.org/

Raylene Captain-Hasthibeer