A presentation to introduce The African Academy of Sciences to the world.

1. Driving Scientific and Technological Innovation in Africa
The African Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 24916-00502 Nairobi, Kenya
Telephone: +254 (20) 806 0674
Fax: +254 (20) 806 0675
Website: www.aasciences.org
E-mail: aas@aasciences.org

2. Vision and Mission
• Vision
To be the engine for driving sustainable scientific and technological development
and human wellbeing in Africa.
• Mission
The mission of AAS is to serve, first, as an honorific society with the primary
function of honoring African science and technology achievers and, second, as a
development-oriented mobilizer of the entire African science and technology
community with the fundamental role of facilitating the development of
scientific and technological capacity for science-led development.

3. Goals
• Goals
The overall goals of AAS are to strengthen science and technology
capacity, to mobilize science and technology resources in the
continent and among the African Diaspora, to stimulate problem-
solving research and development in the pivotal areas of the
continent’s development, and to market the Academy’s activities
widely for greater impact on African social development and
economic growth

4. Objectives of the AAS
1. To promote and foster the growth of the scientific community in
Africa by recognizing, supporting and promoting excellence in
scientific research performed by African scientists.
2. To stimulate and nurture the spirit of scientific discovery and
technological innovation in Africa in order to promote
sustainable development in the continent through research and
development.
3. To promote contacts among African scientists, technologists,
engineers and other scholars, and between them and the world
scientific and technological community in order to facilitate
regional integration and to serve the cause of global peace and
security.
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5. Objectives of the AAS (con’t)
4. To facilitate, coordinate and undertake the publication and
dissemination of scientific and technological achievements in
Africa.
5. To improve Africa’s capacity for management of research,
development and public policy by bridging the gaps between
natural, applied and social scientists, the private sector and
governments.
6. To provide information on, and support for public awareness and
understanding of science and technology, and to promote the
development of a science culture in Africa.
7. To foster improved participation of women and youth in scientific
fields.
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6. Historical background
Founding Founding President
• The AAS was founded in 1985 • On 10th December 1985, the
in Trieste, Italy with 33 constitution for the new Academy
(AAS) was ratified as a meeting held
scientists as the founding at the ICIPE, and Prof. Thomas Risley
fellows Odhiambo was elected as the
Founding President of AAS.
Thomas Risley Odhiambo
1931-2003
The late Nobel laureate M. Abdus Salaam speaking
on the occasion of the founding of AAS - 1985

7. AAS Headquarters, Karen, Nairobi

8. The AAS Estate in Karen

9. Governance
The governance structure of AAS comprises the General Assembly, the Governing Council,
the Management Committee and the Secretariat

10. Governance cont’d
• The General Assembly (GA)
– The General Assembly is the highest decision making organ of the Academy and is a
gathering of all Fellows. The Assembly meets every three years to elect members of
the Governing Council and other officers of the Academy and to deliberate on
other issues of interest to the Fellowship.
• The Governing Council (GC)
– comprises 14 members elected by the General Assembly (GA) to serve for a period of
three years: the President, Secretary General, Treasurer, five Vice Presidents andfive
representatives from the five African regions (East, West South, North and Central).
– The GC meets at least once a year toformulate and review the programs of the
Academy; receive, examine and approve audited accounts; receive the
recommendations of the Membership Advisory Committees; to make
recommendations for the selection of new fellows; and receive and consider reports
of the Management Committee

11. Governance cont’d
• The Management Committee
– was formed in 2011 on the recommendation of the Governing Council to replace the
Executive Committee.
– Composed of the President, the Secretary General, the Treasurer and the Executive
Director serving as the secretary in an Ex-Officio capacity.
– The Management Committee is responsible for the overall management of the
Academy.
• The Secretariat
– The secretariat of the Academy is located in Nairobi, Kenya and serves as the
continental headquarters.
– It is headed by an Executive Director and is responsible for the daily activities of the
Academy.

12. Governing Council of AAS
 President  Past President: Mohamed Hassan
o Ahmadou Lamine Ndiaye (Senegal) (Sudan)
 Secretary General  Regional Representatives
o Shem Arungu-Olende (Kenya) o N. Africa - Dr. Chaibi Thameur (Tunisia)
o W. Africa – Prof. Emmanuel Edee (Togo)
 Vice Presidents o E. Africa - Prof. Keto Mshigeni (Tanzania)
o Northern Africa Prof. Abdel Shafy Fahamy o C. Africa - Prof. Paul Nchoji Nkwi (Cam)
Obada (Egypt) o S. Africa - Prof. George Ekosse (Cam/SA)
o Western Africa Prof. Francis Allotey (Ghana)
o Eastern Africa Prof. Frederick Kayanja (Uganda)
o Central Africa Prof. Juma Shabani (Burundi)
 Executive Director
o Southern Africa Paulus Gerdes (Mozambique) o Berhanu M. Abegaz (Ethiopia)
 Treasurer  Executive Editor
o J. Massaquoi (Sierra Leone) o George Ekosse (S. Africa )

13. AAS Partners and Collaborators
African African Union &
Governments NEPAD
AAS
209 individual members
Funding and Donor Other Academies
Agencies and Institutions
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14. African Governments
• Signed partnership agreements with 16 African
Governments: Botswana, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana,
Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sudan, Tanzania,
Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe
• Signed the AAS Headquarters Agreement with the Kenya
Government on May 12, 2005.
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15. The AAS Secretariat building in Karen, Nairobi. The building which serves as the continental headquarters for the Academy was
officially Inaugurated on 12th November 2011 by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo

16. AAS Fellowship recruitment drive
2012
• Total under review = 51
• Countries = 21
• Fields = Basic Sciences - 24
• Applied Sciences - 23
• Social Sciences and Humanities - 4
• Women = 11
• Age range: 38-71, average 54.5

17. AAS Fellows
Emmanuel Edee Reg Rep
C Thameur Reg Rep
AAS Officers
A. Obade, Vice President
J. Shabani Vive President
P. Nkwi Reg Rep
F. Kayanja Vice President
S. Arungu-Olende, Secretary General
Where are they? J. Massaquoi, Treasurer
K Mshigeni, Reg Rep
• In Universities
• In research institutions
P Gerdes Vice President
• In various regional and
global organizations
G Ekosse Reg Rep
• In leadership, policy fora

18. Partnerships
AAS and TWAS – partners since 1985
•1985 – AAS established in a TWAS forum
•1989 – AAS and TWAS jointly launched Discovery
and Innovation
•2003 – AAS and TWAS signed MOU
•2006 – TWAS Young scientists’ annual conference
•2007 - TWAS Regional prize (5)
•2007 – TWAS young affiliates (25)
•2009 - TWAS-AAS-Microsoft prize (9)
•2010 – TWAS Regional Office Prize (2)

19. Partnerships
•IOCD in areas of science education
•NEPAD - Review of the CPA
•AUC –Pan-African University
•AAS-Indian National Science Academy (INSA) Cooperation
• Discovery and Innovation, Summit of Academies – Sept
2012
•Mo Ibrahim Foundation
• Youth program, Governance
•AUC and others
• DOCLINKS Project
•International Foundation for Science
• Short courses on proposal writing, publications, etc

20. Highlights of AAS Recent Activities
1. African Forest Research Network 1999 – 2011 based on a
long term capacity development support from SIDA
236 Masters and PhD theses
222 Thematic research grants
Over 300 publications
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21. Highlights of AAS Recent Activities
African Climate Change Fellowship Program (ACCFP)
(jointly with START International - USA,
IRA – Dar es Salaam (2007-2010) IDRC
support)
44 Fellowships:
Policy Fellowships (16 – ten countries)
Teaching (3 – two countries)
Doctoral (13 – Eight countries)
Post-doctoral (12 – ten countries)
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22. Highlights of AAS Current Activities
3.Renewing the AAS mandate
mandate to work with young scientists
clearly defined responsibilities of regional vice presidents and
representatives
4. Developing a Strategic Plan 2012-2017 and a long
term vision – 2025
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23. Competitive Prizes for Excellence
 Olusegun Obasanjo Prize for Scientific breakthrough
and/or technological innovation
TWAS Regional Prize
Young Scientists' Prize
TWAS Young Affiliates
The Thomas Risely Odhiambo Prize for creating
enabling environment for STI

24. Winners of 2011 TWAS Prizes
L-R:
• Prof. Hein Venter
• Dr. Sodiya Adesina Simon
• Dr. Mohamad Abou El-Nasr who
won the TWAS-AAS-Microsoft
Award
• Prof. Peet van Schalkwyk
recipient of the TWAS Regional
Prize on Public Understanding
and Popularization of Science
• Dr. John S. Terblanche, awardee
of the TWAS-ROSSA Prize for
Young Scientists.

25. TWAS Young Affiliates 2011-2015
Romain L.Glele Kakaï, Benin Christine Lochner, RSA Etinosa O. Igbinosa,
Nigeria
Joseph M. Mwangangi Kenya Simon F. Kouam, Cameroon

26. Public Lectures (2011)
The AAS-icipe-TWAS-ROSSA Conference was well
attended including the participation of the
former President of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria, H.E. Hon. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo who
also presided over the AAS Obasanjo Prize for
Scientific Discovery and/or Technological
Innovation.
The prize was awarded to Salim S.
Abdool Karim and Quarraisha Abdool
Karim for their work on the use of a
microbicide, Tenofovir gel, to prevent
HIV infection and genital herpes in
women. The winners gave a public
lecture on "New Hope for HIV
Prevention" that was sponsored by
TWAS.

27. Young Scientists’ Conference
Annual conferences covering themes in
science and technology
Forum for young scientists in the
region to interact & network with
senior scientists
Participants at the AAS-icipe-TWAS-ROSSA
Conference Mentoring young scientists

28. Publications of AAS
• AAS and Academy Science Publishers have published
more than 40 books and monographs
• Profiles of African Scientists (3rd Edition)
• Profiles of African Scientific institutions
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29. Publications of AAS
•Discovery and Innovation (D&I)
D&I is published four times a year
•Whydah
Whydah is published three times a year

30. What AAS offers as a Host Institution
• An organization with strong brand name and excellent
reputation – an international NGO recognized by the
Government of Kenya, Diplomatic status…., Observer
status at AU…. A pan-African organization dedicated
to scientific excellence
• Outstanding asset base (vast estate, secretariat
building, space for further infrastructure
development, fiber-optics based Internet, video, e-
mail…. Conference facilities…. )

31. What AAS offers as a Host Institution
• Endowment Fund, solvent organization with sound
financial status and transparent accounting system,
ability to work with multicurrency accounts.
• Non-partisan, non-political and not-for-profit
organization…. no conflict of interest with ACEs…
• Experience in hosting organizations, TWAS-ROSSA,
and NASAC.
• Legal support from a well known and established firm.
• Africa-wide Fellowship base.

32. What AAS offers as a Host Institution (HI)
• An Executive Director with wide leadership
experience in Africa- promoting intra-African
cooperation; establishing research networks with
proven track record of achievement
• Experiences in review and assessment in
– research grant proposals
– Nominees for AAS Fellowship
– Various prizes

33. Strategic priorities and Objectives
(2012-2017)
1 Recognizing excellence
•Fellowship recruitment
•Young affiliates program
•Prizes
2 Capacity building in science, technology and Innovation
• Improving the quality of STEM education and research,
• Working with governments to develop appropriate
policies for STI – policy, financing,
• protection of IP, including IKS
• Development of Scientific culture in society and at all
levels of the educational system

34. Strategic priorities and Objectives (2012-2017) (Cont’d)
•Sustainable energy
•Food and nutrition
•Healthcare and wellbeing
•Climate sciences
•Nanosciences
3. Ensuring the vitality and sustainability of AAS
• Widening the Financial Resource Base and Capital
Development
• Governance and Structure
• Publication and Dissemination of Scientific Materials
• Mobilization of African Science and Technology
Community

35. Thank you
The African Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 24916-00502 Nairobi, Kenya
Telephone: +254 (20) 806 0674
Fax: +254 (20) 806 0675
Website: www.aasciences.org
E-mail: aas@aasciences.org