Future Africa Task Team Drives Pan-African STI Collaboration at INGSA Conference in Rwanda
The Future Africa Task Team and steering committee members for the collaborative project with the International Science Council (ISC) facilitated a successful plenary session at the International Network for Governmental Science Advice (INGSA) conference in Rwanda on 1 May 2024.
This session sought to engage attending participants on the opportunities and challenges towards a more transformed, sustainable, and responsive African STI system. In particular, the idea of an African STI Leaders Forum which has emerged from consultations with key stakeholders in the African STI ecosystem.
The forum intends to foster the next level of collaborative action required to leverage the multitude but fragmented STI advisory platforms and stakeholders on the African continent. The proposed Forum is not a new institution, but an alliance of committed partners that will regularly convene and connect African STI system leaders across STI sectors.
The session was expertly moderated by Future Africa’s visiting fellow Professor Ahmed Bawa from the Johannesburg Business School at the University of Johannesburg in South Africa and enriched by the contributions of distinguished panellists, each representing key sectors within the African STI landscape.
Sameh Soror: INGSA-Africa Steering Committee Member & Helwan University – Egypt
Chomora Mikeka: Director of Science, Technology and Innovation, Ministry of Education – Malawi
Lise Korsten, President, African Academy of Science – South Africa
Sarudzai Muyambo, National Chair for Organisation for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD), Zimbabwe
Following the conference, the team presented a progress report to the ISC, discussing the advancements of the joint project and exploring avenues to expand ISC’s presence in Africa.