The African Academy of Sciences (AAS) held a three-day high-level scientific conference in Hammamet, Tunisia, this week to celebrate the achievements of its African Research Initiative for Scientific Excellence (ARISE) programme.

The event, presented in partnership with the Institut Pasteur de Tunis, concluded on 6 June.

The Tunisia conference this week brought together about 100 researchers, policy-makers and thought leaders from across Africa and beyond – all involved or interested in ARISE, which is active in 38 countries on the continent. Sessions were also live-streamed over the internet to participants all over the world.

The goal of the conference was to “foster a vibrant platform for exchange and collaboration to advance research and innovation on the continent”, AAS said in a news statement.

Topics discussed at the conference included global and African imperatives on cooperation in research and innovation, equitable scientific collaboration, the Sustainable Development Goals, capacities for research and innovation, as well as technology, the green transition, climate change, food security and global health.

The African Academy of Sciences

Formed in 1985, the AAS is a continental learned society dedicated to the advancement and promotion of science. It consists of distinguished researchers elected by their peers based on their publication record, innovation, leadership roles and contribution to policy.

It describes itself as a “non-aligned, non-political, not-for-profit pan-African organisation whose vision is to see transformed lives on the African continent through science.”

Its mandate includes “implementing critical science, technology and innovation programmes that directly address Africa’s developmental challenges”. It also provides advisory and think tank functions.

AAS Executive Director Dr Peggy Oti-Boateng said the organisation’s high-level scientific gathering for ARISE in Tunisia was “testament to our commitment to fostering a robust scientific community in Africa”.

ARISE

ARISE is implemented by the AAS with support from the African Union Commission (AUC) and the European Commission (EC).

It is founded on the AU-EU High Level Policy Dialogue on Science, Technology and Innovation, which was adopted at the third Africa-EU Summit in 2010 as an important element of the joint Africa-EU strategy.

The dialogue serves as a platform for regular exchanges on research and innovation policy, and aims to formulate and implement long-term priorities to strengthen Africa-Europe cooperation.

ARISE provides a platform and pathway for research and innovation exchanges within Africa and beyond. It seeks to contribute to sustainable and inclusive development, economic growth and job creation.

The programme aims to broaden and strengthen Africa’s science base to contribute to the “transformation of Africa into a knowledge-based and innovation-led continent”.

ARISE addresses the urgent need to strengthen Africa’s science base by investing in early- and mid-career researchers, building their capacity to deliver cutting-edge research that addresses Africa’s unique challenges and opportunities.

Launched in December 2020, the current €25.5 million (about US$27.7 million) pilot phase of ARISE – mainly funded by the EU, with additional support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York – supports nearly 600 early- to mid-career researchers across Africa, led by 47 principal investigators (ARISE Fellows).

“By investing in our early- to mid-career researchers, we are enhancing their capabilities and fortifying the entire continent’s science base,” Oti-Boateng said.

Diverse research areas

According to the ARISE website, its fellows represent “the best research talent on the continent”. They are competitively selected from hundreds of applicants.

The conference in Tunisia showcased the diverse research being conducted under the ARISE umbrella. Attendees engaged in scientific sessions, panel discussions, keynote addresses and poster presentations.

Topics ranged from renewable energy solutions and climate change adaptation to food security, health innovations and the application of artificial intelligence in various sectors.

Spotlight talks

A key highlight of the conference was the research spotlight talks, which provided a platform for ARISE fellows, the principal investigators leading research teams across Africa, to share their findings.

Their work exemplified the programme’s commitment to supporting the next generation of African research leaders who are contributing to the realisation of the ‘Africa We Want’, as envisioned in the AU’s Agenda 2063.

Delegates at the conference heard ARISE fellows speak about the impact the programme had on their careers, their universities and their countries.

Aspects highlighted included greater global visibility, increased international and African collaboration, the establishment of new research facilities, capacity-building and the advancement of young scientists’ careers.

Networks

According to AAS programme manager Dr Obed Ogega, the ARISE programme is not only about individual research projects, but also about fostering a collaborative network of researchers across the continent.

The event in Tunisia provided numerous opportunities for networking, mentorship and the establishment of new partnerships.

These connections are essential for strengthening research capacities across disciplines and catalysing scientific exchanges within Africa and with the rest of the world.

International community

On the programme of the ARISE conference in Tunisia were several speakers representing the international community outside of Africa. This includes senior officials of the EU, the European Research Council, France, Belgium and the United Nations.

According to the Tunisia conference news statement, ARISE is linked to the Pan-African Programme of the Africa-EU strategic partnership, the first EU plan for development and cooperation that covers Africa as a whole.

It supports projects with a transregional, continental or global added value in areas of shared interest and offers new possibilities for the EU and Africa to work together.

Policy impact

Another significant aspect of the event was its focus on policy-relevant science. ARISE endeavours to facilitate and accelerate the generation of research that can inform and drive socio-economic transformation in Africa.

Discussions at the conference revolved around how to ensure that scientific findings are translated into actionable policies and solutions that benefit African communities.

Key messages from the conference in Tunisia will be presented at the ninth edition of the Science Summit being organised at the margins of the 79th UN General Assembly in September 2024.

“As the world convenes under the auspices of the Summit of the Future, we hope that insights from ARISE will contribute to solutions aimed at accelerating efforts made by the world to meet existing international commitments and take concrete steps to respond to emerging challenges and opportunities,” said AAS president Professor Lise Korsten, the first woman to hold this position in the 39 years of the organisation’s existence.

Renewed commitment

The event in Tunisia concluded with a renewed commitment to the ARISE programme’s objectives.

The AAS and its partners expressed their determination to continue investing in African researchers and fostering an environment in which science and innovation can thrive.

The next phase of ARISE promises to further “revolutionise” Africa’s research and innovation landscape, with a focus on strengthening research capacities, enhancing collaboration and promoting the uptake of research findings for policy and practice.

According to Korsten, the Tunisia convening marked a significant milestone in the journey towards a more scientifically advanced and prosperous Africa.

“The ARISE programme, with its focus on nurturing home-grown talent and addressing local challenges, is poised to play a pivotal role in this transformation,” she said.

The first ARISE scientific conference was held in Cape Town, South Africa, in December 2022.

Original article written by Desmond Thompson and published in University World News.