The African Academy of Sciences (AAS) is set to co-host a pivotal side event at the Third International Science Council (ISC) General Assembly in Muscat, Oman, on 29 January 2025. The session, titled "Rethinking Higher Education and Research Excellence in Africa for Impact", will run from 11:15 to 13:00 local time and aims to inspire transformative dialogue around higher education and research in Africa.

The ISC General Assembly serves as a cornerstone for cross-disciplinary and strategic discussions, bringing together ISC Members, Affiliated Bodies, Fellows, and partners from all domains of science. Convened every four years, it is a platform to address global challenges and set priorities for international scientific cooperation.

The 2025 General Assembly, hosted by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation of Oman from January 26–30, marks the first in-person gathering since ISC’s establishment in 2018.

The African Academy of Sciences side event underscores the African Union’s Agenda 2063 vision of education, science, and technology as key drivers of inclusive growth and sustainable development. As global challenges such as climate change, demographic shifts, and technological advancements reshape societies, Africa must reimagine its higher education systems to foster inclusivity, creativity, and innovation, while embracing scientific excellence to tackle its unique developmental needs.

In collaboration with ALLEA, ISC, the Global Young Academy (GYA), and the European Union (EU), the session will challenge participants to rethink research assessment methods, moving beyond publication metrics to recognize broader contributions and real-world impact.

Key Initiatives to Be Showcased

1. The African Research Initiative for Scientific Excellence (ARISE): This flagship programme, spearheaded by AAS in partnership with the African Union (AU) and European Union (EU), emphasizes equitable collaborations to elevate African research and innovation in line with the AU-EU High-Level Policy Dialogue on Science, Technology, and Innovation.
2. The Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA): Represented by the Global Young Academy, CoARA is a global initiative focused on reforming the evaluation methods of research and researchers to foster a holistic approach to scientific excellence.

Moderators

• Dr Peggy Oti-Boateng, Executive Director, AAS
• Dr Beate Wagner, Managing Director, GYA

Speakers

• Dr Obed Ogega, Head of Programmes, AAS
• Dr Nada Abdel Aziz, ARISE Fellow, Cairo University (remote)
• Dr Laurent Bochereau, Minister-Counsellor for STI, EU Delegation to the African Union (remote)
• Dr Carina Geldhauser, GYA Working Group on Scientific Excellence

This session offers a unique opportunity for global stakeholders to exchange ideas, redefine research excellence, and contribute to Africa’s industrialization and sustainable